Social Justice Committee

Social Justice (Witness) Priorities for 2011

  1. Intercultural/Interracial understanding
  2. Middle East
  3. Open and Affirming (subcommittee)
  4. HIV/AIDS
  5. Hunger/poverty
  6. Environ/Green Practices (subcommittee)

The Social Justice (Witness) Committee of First Presbyterian Church is one part of FPC's mission outreach to local, national, and international communitieis.  In the past, the term "Witness" has been used to convery our desire to witness to God through acts of compassion and generosity by funding and helping coordinate a variety of mission initiatives.  However, a recent concern that "Witness" may connote "evangelism" to those unfamiliar with the history of church committees has led the group - with Session's approval - to change its name to the Social Justice (Witness) Committee for the remainder of 2011.  Starting 2012, the name will simply be the Social Justice Committee.

2011 Social Justice (Witness) Committee members are:  Steve Franz (Moderator), Sunny Currier, Norie Erickson, Sherm Franz, Ann Jones, Vern Jorck, Gretchen Laemmer, Jo Lucas, Sarah Sanders, Keith Weedman and Rob Craig (Staff).

Recent Social Justice (Witness) Activities

  • Partnering in the Law's Lecture (Dr. Mitri Raheb)
  • Co-sponsoring a Randy Steidl's presentation on the death penalty at St. Bartholomew Church
  • Partnership with VIM and Proyecto Salud's Hispanic Diabetes Clinic
  • Parnership with Fairlawn Presbyterian for the Heifer Connection
  • Facilitating a partnership with the Columbus Islamic Center
  • Energy Audit/Church & Ecology (Green Team)
  • Open and Affirming committee
  • Supporting "No to Torture" effort

Committee Sponsorship for Mission Matching Grant Proposals

  • Haiti:  Guest house/clinic for Medical Ministry International (MMI)
  • Power of Love:  Nutritional needs program for HIV + children in Zambia
  • Turning Point:  Clergy seminars in 5 Southeastern Indiaa counties to inform and educate clery and mission leaders about Turning Point's important mission