Our mission statement: Our mission is to heighten awareness and foster understanding of local, national, and global social inequities, and to encourage appropriate Christian responses through education, suggestions, and actions.
Confronting Social Issues – Learn About the Issues Here
South Portland Sustainability Department overview 2-21-23
Book References:
"Braiding Sweetgrass"
by Robin Wall Kimmerer - Discusses Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants, as well as the role of Indigenous knowledge as an alternative or a complementary approach to Western mainstream scientific methodologies
"Refugia Faith"
by Debra Rienstra - Discusses seeking hidden shelters, ordinary wonders, and the healing of the earth. The author explores how Christian spirituality and practice must adapt to prepare for life on a climate-altered planet
Preble Street's Faith Advocacy Network (FAN)
Book References:
"Poverty, by America"
by Matthew Desmond - The MIT Press review of this book:
"In this landmark book, acclaimed sociologist Matthew Desmond book draws on history, research, and original reporting to show how affluent Americans knowingly and unknowingly keep poor people poor. Those of us who are financially secure exploit the poor, driving down their wages while forcing them to overpay for housing and access to cash and credit. We prioritize the subsidization of our wealth over the alleviation of poverty, designing a welfare state that gives the most to those who need the least. And we stockpile opportunity in exclusive communities, creating zones of concentrated riches alongside those of concentrated despair. Some lives are made small so that others may grow."
References:
“Difference"
"The Power of Faith in a Conflicted World.” https://difference.rln.global/
This program comes out of the Anglican church. The aim of the course is “to explore what it means to follow Jesus in a complex and divided world. “Difference” equips you to cross divides, navigate disagreement, and pursue a just and flourishing world.
Book References:
"How to be an Antiracist"
by Ibram X. Kendi - discusses racism on 3 levels: types of racism; history of racism; and his own experience of racism
"White Fragility"
by Robin DeAngelo - explores why it is difficult for white people to talk about racism
Film References:
"Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" (Netflix)
based on a 1982 play by August Wilson. Set in 1927 in a Chicago recording studio, the movie deals with the exploitation of black
musicians by white producers.
Stars Viola Davis and Chadwick Boseman"The United States vs Billie Holiday" (Hulu)
Set in the 1940's and 1950's, the movie deals with a "sting" launched against Billie Holiday by the Federal Bureau of Narcotics,
not just because she used drugs, but because she was a black jazz singer. and sang an especially provocative song about
black lynching entitled "Strange Fruit".
Stars Andra Day
General Resources
The Social Principles in the Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church — 2016 states:
The rights and privileges a society bestows upon or withholds from those who comprise it indicate the relative esteem in which that society holds particular persons and groups of persons. We affirm all persons as equally valuable in the sight of God. We, therefore, work toward societies in which each person’s value is recognized, maintained, and strengthened. We support the basic rights of all persons to equal access to housing, education, communication, employment, medical care, legal redress for grievances, and physical protection. We deplore acts of hate or violence against groups or persons based on race, color, national origin, ethnicity, age, gender, disability, status, economic condition, sexual orientation, gender identity, or religious affiliation. Our respect for the inherent dignity of all persons leads us to call for the recognition, protection, and implementation of the principles of The Universal Declaration of Human Rights so that communities and individuals may claim and enjoy their universal, indivisible, and inalienable rights.
We will bring meaningful opportunities to you so that you may grow in your awareness and understanding of the many social issues facing God's children.
Contacts: Doreen Gay doreentgay@gmail.com , Judy Arnold judyarnold18@aol.com