What does the Lord require of you, but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
Micah 6:8 (NRSV)
When Jesus was asked to state the greatest commandant, he replied, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart…And a second is like it, you shall love your neighbor as yourself.” In this complex age, one way we love our neighbors is to help shape the laws and policies that define how we live together in God’s world.
Washington Office, PC(USA)
While biblical faith is personal, it is never merely individual; in Scripture, the emphasis is almost always on communities of faithfulness. Individuals are fulfilled in community, not in isolation. God’s covenant is with a people, not individuals, and God’s plan is for the reconciliation of all people. So, what does this mean? Justice is the responsibility of the community.
When we find that our laws, systems, economic institutions, political programs, and social attitudes support inequity, cause pain, threaten the creation, or contribute to human separation, they must be challenged as unjust and changed. When we discover such injustices, political advocacy becomes a legitimate expression of faith’s concern for justice.
The Book of Order of the Presbyterian Church (USA) states that a faithful member’s involvement in ministry includes “…living responsibly in the personal, family, vocational, political, cultural, and social relationships of life, working in the world for peace, justice, freedom and human fulfillment.” (G-5.0102).
Responding to these dictates, we, the members of this congregation, now commit ourselves to social justice, including faithful participation in the public square. In fulfilling this commitment, we will pursue social justice through:
Worship
Reflecting in worship on a regular basis the importance of participation and service in public life, as directed by scripture and the Presbyterian tradition.
Prayer
Encouraging members to pray for elected officials and policymakers, and for congregational and community ministries.
Education
Providing non-partisan information on social justice issues through Christian Education programs, The Marketplace and other learning opportunities such as “movie nights” and special events on:
The scriptural basis for the commitment of Christians to social justice;
Current social justice issues important to citizens of our Commonwealth and nation;
Voting, voting procedure, and assistance to polls, if needed; how to facilitate effective communication with elected and appointed officials.
Education of Youth
Assisting the youth of the congregation in learning about the rights and duties of Christian citizenship and civic engagement.
Community Ministries
Working with and supporting ecumenical and interfaith partners in the pursuit of social, economic, and racial/gender justice.
continuing the efforts of Market Square Presbyterian Church to meet the needs of its neighbors through support of:
the Bistro, Winter Homeless Shelter, Community Breakfast program, Community Check-up Center, Sharing Our Caring (partnering with the AIDS Community Alliance), Habitat for Humanity, Kid’s Haven.
Supporting the compassionate ministries of Christian Churches United of Greater Harrisburg and other local social programs as guided by Deacons, Mission and Peacemaking budgets.
Mission
Providing opportunities for members of this congregation to engage in local, national, and world-wide mission projects, including work groups and individual volunteer activities;
Providing financial and other support to mission programs worldwide such as: Christians in the Holy Land through relationship with St. Joseph’s Latin Church in Jifna on the West Bank and the Child Sponsorship program of Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation, Hospital Albert Schweitzer in Haiti, El Hogar orphanage in Honduras, Bread for the World, Quest for Peace.
Advocacy
Providing timely, non-partisan information and suggested advocacy on social justice issues, guided in content by the Washington Office and General Assembly of the PC(USA), the Pennsylvania Council of Churches, and Presbyterian Citizens in Action.
The Session of Market Square Presbyterian Church will provide leadership in support of this commitment.
Signed: Signed:
James D. Brown Ardith Buffington
Moderator Clerk of Session
March 18, 2008 March 18, 2008