The Church of the Covenant

The Church of the Covenant
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (U.S.A.)
11205 Euclid Avenue · Cleveland, Ohio 44106
Phone: (216) 421-0482
Fax: (216) 791-2228

The Social Justice Committee at Church of the Covenant

"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)

We strive to provide an effective voice for social justice by educating ourselves and the congregation on relevant issues. The committee works to support justice and right relationships in the community, the nation and the world. Through education, petition and actions the committee supports and joins those who seek equity and justice on behalf of themselves and others.

Members and participants of the congregation are encouraged to convey their concerns and join this committee or its work groups as we discern the ways God leads us toward a just society for all people.

The Social Justice Committee works with other organizations to promote positive change in our world. Church of the Covenant is an active member congregation of the Northeast Ohio Alliance for Hope (NOAH).

For more information about the Social Justice Committee, please email covenantjustice@yahoo.com.

Declaring Ohio a Political Sleaze-Free Zone
The 2004 and 2006 election cycles brought incivility and division to Ohio. This time around, "We Believe Ohio" - an interfaith coalition dedicated to uniting diverse religious voices to achieve social justice - is holding candidates for public office, and the organizations that support them, accountable. Learn more about We Believe Ohio's petition declaring Ohio a Political Sleaze-Free Zone.

Getting it Right for Ohio's Future
The Social Justice Committee has endorsed the Education Amendment to reform public school funding in Ohio. The Get It Right for Ohio's Future will 1)Guarantee accountability with public reports; 2) Identify the cost of quality education and require the state to pay a higher portion of the bill; 3) Reduce the number of new local property tax levies; 4) Cut property taxes for senior and disabled homeowners; and 5) Protect state funding for school facilities, local safety and services and colleges and universities. The committee will have petitions in the narthex after worship on July 1 and July 8. For more information: http://www.rightforohio.org

The East Cleveland/Cleveland Heights RTA Community Circulator
The East Cleveland/Cleveland Heights RTA Community Circulator Project continues to make progress and has been joined by new allies and new members to win improved public transportation for seniors and other East Cleveland residents. On June 7 at New Covenant Lutheran Church, a large crowd of community residents and allies met to support the request to RTA for a circulator. This rally was followed by a press conference on June 14 at RTA headquarters. RTA officials have agreed to meet with NOAH and other community leaders to talk more about the reality of a circulator route.

Sanders asks NOAH to help bring hope to Cleveland students
On May 5th at the Cleveland City Club, Cleveland Municipal School District CEO Dr. Eugene Sanders was the keynote speaker for the Northeast Ohio Alliance for Hope (NOAH) annual banquet. (Plain Press, June 2007)

Parent Safety Patrol hopes to expand beyond Denison School
After complaints about a lack of safety for kids walking home from school, Brooklyn Memorial United Methodist Church and NOAH leaders organized parents at Denison Elementary to form a Parent Patrol. The patrol has been so successful that many would like to see the idea spread to other schools throughout the Cleveland Municipal School District. (Plain Press, June 2007)

Advocacy for Peacemaking between Iran and the United States
The Social Justice Committee requests the Session to endorse specific steps to build bridges between the governments of the Unites States and Iran.

Advocacy Links:

NOAH

http://northeastohioallianceforhope.org

ADVOCACY FOR DARFUR

http://www.savedarfur.org

http://www.darfurscores.org
This site provides information on the voting records related to legislation regarding Darfur for each member of the Unites States Senate and the House of Representatives.

http://www.pcusa.org/pda/response/africa/sudan-index.htm
The responses and current actions of the Presbyterian Church USA are listed here.

FAITH-BASED ADVOCACY ORGANIZATIONS

http://www.faithfulamerica.org

http://advocacydays.org
Ecumenical Advocacy Days is a movement of the ecumenical Christian community, and its recognized partners and allies, grounded in biblical witness and our shared traditions of justice, peace and the integrity of creation. Their goal, through worship, theological reflection and opportunities for learning and witness, is to strengthen our Christian voice and to mobilize for advocacy on a wide variety of U.S. domestic and international policy issues.

http://www.ucc.org
The justice section of the United Church of Christ webpage provides information and advocacy on a range of justice issues.

EFFORTS TO END HUNGER

http://www.bread.org

http://www.clevelandfoodbank.org
The Cleveland Foodbank supplies a majority of the food used in local soup kitchens, shelters, and food pantries. In addition, we provide food to child- care centers, group homes, and programs for the elderly. The Foodbank works closely with other Northeast Ohio hunger relief organizations, providing food and nonfood products to hunger centers administered by the Hunger Network of Greater Cleveland, the Catholic Hunger and Shelter Network, and the Salvation Army, among others.