Friday,
March 1
"Building Alliances to End Poverty:
Shaping the Impending Welfare Debate," a March 1-2 conference at Seattle
University co-sponsored by the Church Council of Greater Seattle. For information,
see www.povertyaction.org or call Andrea
at 206-694-6794.First
day of month-long March Campaign of Minnesota FoodShare, an annual food drive
sponsored by the Greater Minneapolis Council of Churches. FoodShare stocks 258 food
shelves across Minnesota. Information www.gmcc.org/MFS
NCC Committee on
Justice for Children and Their Families meets Feb. 28-March 1 in Washington,
D.C., to strategize on child advocacy issues. Contact Joe Leonard; 212-870-2673.
The American Assembly
meets March 1-2 in an invitational conference to focus on five topics, including economic
growth and equality of opportunity.
Saturday, March 2
Montana
Association of Churches will be providing e-mail alerts to more than 400
Christian advocates on the progress of the TANF reauthorization bill during March.
Sunday, March 3
Advocacy Training for meetings with members of
congress to discuss TANF legislation. NJ Council of Churches, 609-396-9546 njcc@concentric.net.
Monday,
March 4
"March Forth for Child
Care" will find thousands of advocates from across the country speaking up
today to ask Congress to support significant new funds for the Child Care and Development
Block Grant program. Details available from: Children's Defense Fund.
National Campaign for Jobs and
Income Security will release report on the increasing use of temporary work
and the way in which the welfare and workforce system push people into temp jobs.
Tuesday, March 5
"National Day of Action," on the Capitol Mall and at the
Department of Health and Human Services, beginning at 1 p.m., Washington, DC, sponsored by
The National Campaign for
Jobs and Income Support
Bread for the
World Institute in Washington, DC, hosts a March 5-7 conference on biotechnology and
hunger in Africa, funded by the Rockefeller Foundation.
Info: David Beckmann, (202) 639-9400 or mailto:dbeckmann@bread.org
Wednesday,
March 6
"Effects of Globalization on Women in Communities" panel
on women and poverty, will include US-based women and global women in dialogue. Sponsored
by Ecumenical Women 2000 Plus. Details: www.ew2000plus.org
or Jennifer Butler, Presbyterian UN Office,
212-697-4568.
Thursday,
March 7
Advocacy Training in Cherry Hill, NJ, for meetings with
members of congress to discuss TANF. NJ Council of Churches, 609-396-9546 njcc@concentric.net.
The Mothers Council of the Institute for American Values
meets March 7-8 to continue planning for a focused challenge to advertisers who exploit
children. The group authored a code of conduct entitled "Watch Out for
Chidren." Contact Enola Aird, 203-250-0637.
Friday, March 8
During March, Neighbors in
Ministry in Winston-Salem, N.C., will be supplying a high-caloric, high-energy,
four-day supplemental food package for individuals living with HIV/AIDS. The
ministry serves approximately 125 clients along with their 130 household members each
month. The average montly income of these individuals living with HIV/AIDS is $500.
Contact wsnim@aol.com
Saturday,
March 9
"Working from Poverty to Promise" Training for
advocates for Bread for the World’s 2002 Offering of Letters Legislative Campaign
Cost: $8 includes lunch, 9-2, at the Archdiocese of Newark, 171 Clifton Avenue. Contact: Kay Furlani, 973-497-4341.
Sunday,
March 10
"Health and Welfare Sunday" The United
Church of Christ urges its congregations to use the day to advocate and educate on
important health and welfare issues. Information packets are available by contacting Ms. Barbara Baylor, Minister for Health
and Wellness, Justice and Witness Ministries. Phone (216) 736-3708.
Monday, March 11
The Willson Lectures: "Embracing an Activist Spirituality,"
presented by Jim Wallis, editor of Sojourners and convener of Call to Renewal, an NCC
partner, March 11-12 at Earlham College, Richmond,
Indiana. Information: 800-432-1377 or 765-983-1423.
Tuesday, March 12
"Free Trade Area
of the Americas: Implications for Rural Communities, Particularly Women and Youth,"
a March 12-17 study session in Hopkins, Belize, Central America, sponsored by NCC partner Agricultural Missions.
Information: 212-870-2553 or email dorisr@ncccusa.org.
Wednesday, March 13
"Wednesday In Washington" 1 p.m. rally at the U.S.
Capitol in support of the "Act to Leave No Child Behind." Co-sponsored by
NCC and Children's Defense Fund as one of a series of CDF Wednesday events to provide a public witness in support of the Campaign to Leave No Child Behind. For
information, contact the Rev. Dr. Eileen W. Lindner,
212-870-2333.
TANF Action Days for Poverty Reduction open at 4 p.m.
at National City Christian Church (see March 14 for details).
"Addressing the issue of poverty as a faith
community," a focus group sponsored by The Church Federation of Indianapolis, to
present the complete results of the needs assessment conducted in November of 2001.
Participants will be invited to share ideas, concerns, and recommendations for the
proposed Loaves and Fishes Advocacy Network. Contact: John Sheppard at the Church Federation
at 317-926-5371
"Interfaith Vigils for Public Education in 10 Cities
Across Pennsylvania," sponsored by Good Schools Pennsylvnia. Asserting that "to eliminate
poverty, be sure all children get a good education," the 4 p.m. vigils will point out
the disparity of educational opportunities for poor children. Vigil locations:
Allentown, Erie, Harrisburg, Lancaster, McKeesport, Northeast Philadelphia, Pittsburgh,
Schuylkill Haven, Warminster and West Chester. Contact Donna Cooper at 215-332-2700;
donna@goodschoolspa.org
Thursday, March 14
"TANF Action Days for Poverty Reduction," a public policy
consultation on reauthorization of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF),
March 13-15, Washington, D.C. Representatives of NCC, state and local
ecumenical/interfaith councils, direct service providers and (other) religious social
justice advocates meet for briefings, dialogue, strategy development and visits with
members of Congress about three key programs for low-income people up for reauthorization
in 2002. Sessions will be held in a
congressional meeting room and at the National City Christian Church. Contact: Mary Anderson Cooper, 202-544-2350
Friday, March 15
"Conference on Macroeconomics and Poverty Reduction," March
14-15, sponsored by the International
Monetary Fund at its headquarters, 700 19th Street in Washington, DC. Contact:
Simonetta Nardin at 202-623-4899.
Monthly Hispanic Services Coalition meeting
sponsored by Neighbors in Ministry, a human services provider in the Winston-Salem, North
Carolina area. Contact wsnim@aol.com
The St. Paul Housing Campaign will hold its
monthly meeting at offices of the St. Paul Area Council of Churches. SPACC is host and
fiscal agent for the Campaign, a coalition of churches and housing advocacy and
development groups, which encourages inclusionary housing in neighborhoods, advocacy for
net increases in affordable housing and countering "not in my backyard"
reactions. www.spacc.com
NCC Committee on the Uniform Series
2007-2010 Planning Team meets in Orlando, Fla., March 15-17, followed by 130th Anniversary
Celebration and Annual Meeting March 17-21. See March 16 for details.
March 15-17 writers conference for a new book on "The
Lives Children Live Today" meets at Smith College in Northampton, Mass.
The book explores challenges to children, including poverty. NCC Deputy
General Secretary for Research and Planning, the Rev. Dr. Eileen W. Lindner, is
contributing a chapter on the moral and spiritual life of children. Contact: Rene
Heavlow, 413-585-4292. |
Saturday,
March 16
The Uniform Series International Bible Lessons for
Christian Teaching are used by publishers to create resources for thousands of
congregations, highlighting biblical reflections on issues that include poverty, justice,
hunger, homelessness and discipleship. A program of the NCC's Ministries in
Christian Education, the Committee on the Uniform Series 2007-2010 Planning Team meets in
Orlando, Fla., March 15-17, followed by the 130th Anniversary Celebration and Annual
Meeting March 17-21. Contact Barbara Tilley;
212-870-2151.Sunday, March 17
NCC Ministries in Christian Education's Committee
on Disabilities meets March 17-21 in Atlanta. The agenda includes meetings
with local groups to discuss poverty issues. Contact Joe Leonard; 212-870-2673.
Monday, March 18 "Surviving the Recession" is the theme of The
Employment Project's Mutual Self Help Support Group, which meets every
Monday evening in New York City. Phone 212-533-6945 for details.
Tuesday, March 19
"The Faiths and Faith Based Initiatives:
What is Really Happening?", sponsored by the InterFaith Conference of
Metropolitan Washington, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. at National City Christian Church, Thomas Circle
(Massachusetts Ave. at 14th St. NW), Washington, DC. Information: email Jduplain@aol.com.
Wednesday, March 20 Project Hope,
a program of the St. Paul Area Council of
Churches, deploys volunteers and sets up 13 beds in each of two churches every night
in March and year-round to host and provide overnight shelter for homeless families.
Volunteers provide hospitality, tutoring and games for children and refreshments for all.
Thursday, March 21
Hunger Awareness Day, initiated by the Hunger Action
Network of New York State, which includes faith-based groups, calls attention to the
problem of hunger in the state. More than 40
organizations across the state are mobilizing for events on March 21 such as food drives,
community forums, children's anti-hunger poster projects, and visits from legislators to
food programs. Contact hannyssp@aol.com
Among the day's events: Schenectady County Food
Providers' Hunger Awareness Day breakfast at the Salvation Army with clergy,
legislators and other community leaders. Those attending will be asked to sign on to the
1948 United Nations' Declaration on Human Rights as a reminder that the rights to food,
shelter and medical care spelled out in that document have not yet been achieved. Info:
Marianne Comfort, (518) 374-2683, sicm@knick.net
Friday, March 22
"Rural Advocacy Day," Great Falls, Montana.
Sponsored by the Montana
Association of Churches and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, featuring ELCA
Rural Specialist Sandra La Blanc to speak on National Farm Legislation and Local
Agriculturalists to address local commodity issues. Info.
Schenectady Inner City Ministry's Save and Share Co-op
will have monthly distribution of discounted groceries. The program sells packages
of perishable food and fresh meats and produce at wholesale prices. Participants sign up
at the beginning of the month, when they receive Food Stamps and monthly checks, and pick
up the food at the end of the month, when money tends to be tight. Info: Marianne Comfort,(518) 374-2683, sicm@knick.net
"Children at Risk: Hope for the Future,"
a conference for pastors, counselors, teachers and child advocates, March 22-23 at
Louisville Seminary. The Rev. Dr. Eileen W. Lindner, NCC Associate General Secretary
for Research and Planning, and Dr. John M. Mulder, keynote speakers. Contact Laura
March, 1-800-264-1839.
Saturday,
March 23
New Hampshire Council of Churches' legislative
update is published weekly to religious leaders, organizations, coalitions, and networks
and action alerts during state legislative session; special emphasis on housing and
homelessness; domestic violence. E-mail churchesnh@aol.com
Tuesday, March 26
Every Tuesday at 10 a.m. JOBS etc., an inner city-based job
information and placement center in Schenectady, NY, hosts a weekly seminar on job
openings, resume and interviewing skills, and a talk by a local employer. Staff follow
up with participants in one-on-one sessions to identify employment and educational goals
and to work on eliminating barriers to employment. Info:
Marianne Comfort, (518) 374-2683, sicm@knick.net
Wednesday, March 27
Reservations may be made for "The Gap Between Rich and Poor:
Dives and Lazarus Today," an April 9 event to be sponsored by the North Carolina Council of Churches,
919-828-6501. Site: Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, 200 Regan Street,
Greensboro, NC
Anti-Poverty Network of New Jersey meets at 1 p.m.
Contact Connie or Adona at 732-572-9100. |
