Advocacy Projects
We use our God-given voices and votes to bring peace and justice to our world.
Communities Organized for Relational Power in Action (COPA)
COPA was founded on June 8, 2003, with the specific purpose of building the power to address issues of housing, public safety, education, immigration, health care and economic opportunity. It is an organization of about 25 congregations and community organizations across Monterey and Santa Cruz counties. St. John's is a founding member of COPA.
We engage with people from other COPA institutions in honest and thoughtful conversations. Because these conversations are with people from a broad range of backgrounds, we are able to see the whole picture, the reality of life for all of us who live here. These conversations build community relationships, which make it possible to take action together on our common concerns.
In Santa Cruz County we have gained recognition and are reshaping the public debate on affordable housing. In addition, we advocate for ESL classes and opportunities offered by Cabrillo College in Live Oaks as well as a new, larger Family Resource Center to be built using redevelopment funds. A county supervisor is already meeting with COPA and being held accountable to the commitments he made at a COPA-organized candidates' night just prior to his election.
How to Help: COPA presents a great opportunity for us to act on our values, to participate in social justice, to bring about change and to truly make a difference. There are numerous and ongoing opportunities for involvement. For more information contact Meg Campbell or Michael Hudson.
Bread for the World
Bread for the World is a bipartisan Christian lobbying organization dedicated to reducing hunger in the U.S. and worldwide. Each year they produce educational materials regarding a particular aspect of hunger and proposed legislation to remedy it, which we use in preparing for our Offering of Letters.
Bread for the World is a sponsor of the One Campaign, working with the United Nations Millennium Development Goals by contributions and lobbying Congress to provide the money pledged by the U.S. to accomplish them. The Millennium Development Goals for 2015, supported by 178 countries, are:
- Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
- Achieve universal primary education
- Promote gender equality and empower women
- Reduce child mortality
- Improve maternal health
- Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases
- Ensure environmental sustainability
- Create a global partnership for development
Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) is also part of the One Campaign through Episcopal One, as is Episcopalians for Global Reconciliation.
How to Help: Once or twice a year at St. John's we write letters or postcards to our federal legislators urging them to co-sponsor and pass legislation to reduce hunger. Bread for the World is also exploring developing a Monterey Bay area group to further support the work of Bread for the World. For more information contact Julie and Kim Fudge or Marion Wallof. To learn more go to the website (www.bread.org).
Jubilee USA Network
St. John's is a "Jubilee Congregation." Jubilee USA Network is an alliance of 75 religious denominations and faith communities, human rights, environmental, labor and community groups working for the definitive cancellation of crushing debt to fight poverty and injustice in Asia, Africa and Latin America. Jubilee's goal is to broaden and deepen our commitment to our brothers and sisters in the developing world and to provide a practical way that communities can get involved in global justice and advocacy in solidarity with sister communities in the developing world. Together with other Jubilee congregations, we can become more active in the fight to end hunger, save lives and restore hope for the millions affected by the debt crisis.
How to Help: Participate in letter-writing forums, contact your congressional representative, and become informed about the debt crisis and the Millennium Development Goals. Contact Mary-Nona Hudson for more information.