Blessed are the peace makers, For they will be called the sons of God. (Mathew 5:9)

As we mark International Day of Peace Other Sheep Africa (OSA) Neema Metropolitan Community Church (NMCC) Kimer Kamba Cultural Centre (KKCC) and Global Justice Institute (GJI) would like to join all the people of good will in seeking Peace for the world.

Today the church world-wide lacks peace because of divisions over the gift of human Sexuality. Homophobia has become the Gospel yet we are called to the Ministry of Inclusion. Do we qualify to be children of God if  we exclude one another?

In Ezekiel 16:44- 48, The sin of Sodom and Gomorrah is identified as Inhospitality to strangers but not same sex.

Hospitality begets Peace. Countries that accept migrants are Peace Makers. Churches that accept LGBTQ people are peace makers. Individuals who love their neighbors are peace makers and Siblings who love one another have peace in themselves. 

This is inline with  the philosophy that says  "I am Because We Are  And Because We Are therefore I AM. (John Mbiti)

Blessings
Uthasyo 

The Rev Uthasyo Kimindu
Director of East African Affairs
Global Justice Institute.

Today, June 29th, the Supreme Court of the United States shot down Affirmative Action in college admissions.

Mistakenly taken to mean that less qualified students took precedent over more qualified, Affirmative Action was the one and only remedy to the legacy of enslavement in the United States. That remedy is now gone, and the ramifications in terms of who holds what positions in life, in our nation and in our world extend well beyond who is admitted to institutions of higher education.

We agree with Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson in her assessment that “deeming race irrelevant in law does not make it so in life.”

As our nation reels from the targeting of black lives by those entrusted with the protection of all --- the torture and attempted sexual assault of Michael Jenkins and Eddie Parker by 6 law “enforcement” officers in Mississippi; the videotaped choking deaths of black men; the murder of a black woman asleep in her home; the targeting of black boys and their incarceration --- we must all, like Esther, ask ourselves why we are here at this time and place in history, and determine to act for what is just and right and good.

Let it not be said of any one of us, as the poet intoned, that when they came for others we who could stand up, did nothing. There is an urgency to upholding the divine plan of a diverse and equally beloved creation.

The Supreme Court decision today must be seen for what it is: a politically motivated power play by those in the majority to upend years of slow movement forward.

No matter who you are, no matter where you are do not let silence be the death knoll for any of God’s people.

There will undoubtedly be demonstrations and opportunities to speak out. Just do it.
God’s dream for a world at peace with its God-given diversity is at stake.

THE GLOBAL JUSTICE INSTITUTE RESPONDS TO THE PRESIDENT'S EXECUTIVE ORDER


“It is impossible to celebrate an order that leads to expanded incarceration of immigrant children and families at the United States borders,” said The Reverend Doctor Jim Merritt, Director for Family Issues of the Global Justice Institute.

The New York Times reports that the President caved to enormous political pressure today, and signed an executive order meant to end the separation of families at the border by detaining parents and children together for an indefinite period.  

However, today’s order does nothing to address the plight of more than 2,300 children already separated from their parents and held under the president’s zero tolerance policy.  According to Federal officials, the order does not include any provision to immediately reunite these children with their families while parents remain incarcerated awaiting immigration proceedings.

“Immediately incarcerating immigrant families, including children, is immoral, unethical and ungodly,” wrote Global Justice Institute Executive Director The Reverend Elder Pat Bumgardner. “We call for the immediate reunification of these families and for housing appropriate to the developmental needs of the children.”>

“It is clear the president created this situation himself, contrary to his ongoing rhetoric blaming members of Congress, particularly Democrats.  Today’s order falls far short of appropriately bringing an end to the gross abuse of immigrant children and their families,” said Dr. Merritt.

The Global Justice Institute continues calling on people of faith everywhere to stand in solidarity against the US government’s gross mistreatment of immigrant children and families.  We encourage participation in rally’s, marches and other peaceful actions demanding an end this horrific treatment of “the least of these” at the hands of the Trump Administration.

This Statement Prepared by The Rev. Dr. Jim Merritt, Director for Family Issues,

The Global Justice Institute. The Rev. Elder Pat Bumgardner, Executive Director

Contact revjimmerritt@globaljusticeinstitue.org for more information

Participate in MCCNY’s Easter Offering for The Global Justice Institute! By participating in the Easter Offering for Global Justice, we will join hands with others around the globe to put our faith into action. Your support will aid the Global Justice Institute and its bold vision for the coming year and the activists on the ground that are supported through the institute.

Join Metropolitan Community Churches on Easter Sunday as we hold a special dedicated offering for
the work of the Global Justice Institute! 

CONDEMNING TRUMP'S DISRESPECT OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES and  RETWEETING ANTI-MUSLIM PROPAGANDA

A Statement from Dr. Robert P. Sellers Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Parliament of the World's Religions  and  Dr. Larry Greenfield Executive Director of the Parliament of the World's Religions

In these times of extraordinary tension and danger, leaders—whether political, socio-cultural, or religious and whatever their nation, tradition, or spiritual path--have a special obligation to be unquestionably truthful, intentionally civil and respectful, and particularly careful to avoid being inflammatory and polarizing in any way. Instead, they need to be relentless in seeking a common good for their nation and its diverse peoples. The Parliament of the World's Religions is committed to holding leaders to such standards, because the religions and spiritual communities of our world expect this of their own leaders and those in power in other spheres of human society. It is out of this commitment that we condemn the irresponsible retransmission of false and racist videos against the great religious tradition of Islam by the President of the United States, as well as his entirely inappropriate words to demean a political opponent at an event meant to honor Native Americans who served the United States with the deepest of commitments. We invite other religious and civic leaders to join together in condemnation of the dangerous and disrespectful behavior by the President, who should apologize and exercise the discipline required of his office, his nation, and his position on the world's stage. Now is exactly the time for religious and spiritual leaders, especially in the United States, to use the power entrusted to us and to empower our colleagues in religious service to take persistent actions that reveal to the wider public our deep solidarity for truth-speaking and peace-seeking, justice-advancing, and compassion-sharing.

A TIME FOR EVERY PURPOSE UNDER HEAVEN: ENDING GUN VIOLENCE AND MASS SHOOTINGS IN THE UNITED STATES After the 1,300th mass shooting since Sandy Hook, after the dead were covered in tarps and the wounded whisked away in wheel barrows and the backs of pickup trucks, after strangers waited with the dying so they wouldn’t be alone and the very, very brave shielded those they’d never met before from rapid fire shots they thought at first were fire crackers --- after 59 people died and 527 were injured, we heard a White House spokesperson say ~ now is not the time to discuss gun laws; there will be time for “policy discussions,” but “that’s not the place we’re at.” WHERE ARE WE AT?  Columbine, Herkimer, Tucson, Santa Monica, Hialeah, Terrell, Alturas, Isla Vista, Marysville, Chapel Hill, Tyrone, Waco, Charleston, Chattanooga, Birmingham, Fort Hood, Aurora, Virginia Tech, , the DC Navy Yard, a Congressional baseball practice, San Bernadino, Sandy Hook, Orlando and now Las Vegas are a few places we’ve been.   Depending on how we define “mass shooting,” since Orlando and the massacre at the Pulse Nightclub, at least 585 people have been killed in mass shootings; 2, 156 have been injured.  All of us have been traumatized.  .  .  .  “I’ve lost hope,” said a man on the street.  “I gave up after Sandy Hook.  If they {lawmakers} didn’t care about the deaths of first graders, if seeing children massacred didn’t change anything, what will?” IS THAT WHERE WE'RE AT?  A place, a time without any hope that things can be different?  That we, as a people, can change the rules we live by?  The Rev. Troy Perry, founder of our movement of faith, is famous for saying:  “You can live 3 weeks without food, and about 3 days without water, and 3 minutes without air --- but you can’t live 1 second without hope.” Where is our hope for the future being different and less violent?  Our hope for no more mass shootings or gun-related violence?  Almost every commentator on Las Vegas says the same thing:  After the extending of condolences and prayers for the dead, after the somber funeral processions and lowering of flags to half staff, after all the moments of silence and the make-shift sidewalk memorials, nothing will change.  Life will go on as always, and there will be another mass shooting and gun violence will continue and 92 people will die every single day who would not have if it wasn’t so easy to get a gun, so easy to buy a weapon of mass destruction capability, so easy to buy so many rounds of ammunition, so easy .  .  . to take a life. Despite legislative disclaimers, NOW IS THE TIME to talk about preventing more needless and gun-related violence and bloodshed in the United States.  The only nation in the world that even comes close to the level of gun ownership by private citizens in the U.S. is Yemen, and people there are in the middle of a war. ~ Maybe we are, too. Sixty-seven percent of Americans say they don’t think anyone needs an assault rifle or high capacity ammunition clips, yet a majority also support an interpretation of the 2nd Amendment that would make both things a right.  Does having a right to do something mean we should do it?  The first humans purportedly had freedom of choice in the Garden.  They made the wrong choice and suffered for it. Is there a difference between having a right and doing the right thing?  People of faith and good will need to ask themselves these questions.  Almost every study on gun ownership says the more prevalent ownership, the more likely violence and bloodshed.  It’s that simple.    Stephen Paddock didn’t need the 29 guns in his hotel room or the 18 others found in his home.  No one does.  Not even soldiers in combat carry the amount of fire power he brought to a 32nd floor hotel room in the entertainment capital of the world. There’s no way to justify civilians having access to weapons of mass destruction.  No way.  The studies have been done and they all conclude one thing:  the more guns available, the more deaths that will occur.  And no one needs a study to feel the grief and pain and despair violence like that in Las Vegas levies on all of us. Many reading this will no doubt shrug it off ~ these sorts of things just happen now and then.  Only 1% of the gun deaths in the United States each year are the result of mass shootings. ---  Perhaps others will say, it’s a uniquely U.S. problem.  Is it?  We live in an interconnected global reality that lines on a map cannot and do not change.  Terrorism is terrorism.  Violence is violence.  Not stopping it anywhere promotes it everywhere.  Maybe it’s time for the world to call the United States to accountability.  Maybe it’s time for those of us in the United States to do that for ourselves. Image Credit: The Daily Beast Caleb Keeter, one of those performing at the Route 91 Harvest Festival did that when he tweeted to his fans, “I’ve been a proponent of the 2nd Amendment my entire life….I cannot express how wrong I was….A small groud {or 1 man} laid waste to a city…because of access to an insane amount of fire power…this is completely out of hand.” YES IT IS. BUT NOT HOPELESS! We can do something if we stand together and stop allowing corporate enterprises that benefit from trading in fear scare us into not acting.  The government is no where near rescinding the 2nd Amendment.  Renounce that fear; it’s pointless.  Banning assault weapons and high capacity rounds of ammunition will not interfere with anyone’s right to own a gun.  Banning guns in public places like schools and churches and movie theaters and at concerts will not make us more vulnerable.  People who had guns at the Las Vegas concert testify that they could not use them for fear of being targeted by law enforcement as the shooter, further endangering themselves and those around them. Opposing the SHARE Act, a measure that would allow concealed carry reciprocity across state lines, is a no brainer.  It’s really this simple: common sense gun regulations will save lives.   Now is the time to act to limit access to weapons and ammunition that has no place in our communities and serves no purpose other than mass destruction and terror.  We can do this.  Mass shootings are not inevitable.  They are preventable. This statement prepared by Members of the Government and Policy Team of the Global Justice Institute.  The Rev. Elder Pat Bumgardner, Executive Director. For more information on how to become active in the fight to end gun violence or about the Global Justice Institute, contact The Rev. Dr. Jim Merritt at drjimmerritt@gmail.com.

September,   2017

Request for Financial Assistance – LGBTQ Justice Work in Mtito Andei, Kenya Next major project – a well!

Mtito Andei, Kenya is a medium size city in Kenya strategically located half way between the two major cities of Nairobi, the capital, and Mombosa on the Indian Ocean Coast.  The town is economically depressed, and since it is a major overnight truck stop on the Mombosa – Nairobi route, many women (and some men) resort to prostitution as the only option to support their families.  The HIV rate among children in Mtito Andei is very high, and local churches often ostracize sex workers and LGBTQ people. About two years ago, Metropolitan Community Church pastor Rev. Michael Kimindu relocated his ministry to Mtito Andei since he is originally from that area, and it was underserved in the area of religious and justice ministry.  With the assistance of a small number of donors, 2 acres of land were purchased, and a gazebo type structure and a small home for Rev. Kimindu and his family were built. Currently, Rev Kimindu is building strong alliances within the community with elementary school leaders, a new local university and several community leaders also concerned with the community’s issues.  His vision includes some small scale agriculture and vocational training to provide alternatives for local residents, promoting safer sex among sex workers, addressing child abuse issues in local schools, and providing a spiritual home for those who are shunned by their churches.  To leverage the property and his resources, Rev. Kimindu has formed a collaborative ministry with Metropolitan Community Churches, Global Justice Institute, Other Sheep and the Kimer-Kamba Cultural Centre. Early this year, we constructed a small totally enclosed classroom building which will facilitate community meetings and training, and to provide a small office space for Rev. Kimindu along with a small kitchen.  In addition, we raised funds for supplies, furniture and equipment for this building. The next step which will help this ministry to become self-sustaining is to dig and equip a well on the property.  The Mtito Andei area is very dry with recent draughts, and often the water supply from the town is barely a trickle.  A well would not only assist Rev. Kimindu, but also all his surrounding neighbors and help him build bridges to them.  And it would allow for much larger scale gardening which can provide income to the struggling women of Mtito Andei. A fully equipped well will cost around $25,000, and we already have $10,000 saved up toward that amount.  We are looking for all size donations, and for a $10,000 gift we would grant naming rights to the well – to name in honor of yourself, loved one or friend. Below are photos taken from the property in late 2015 when visited by Rev Elder Pat Bumgardner and long time MCC lay leader and current Kenyan church member Stan Kimer Below is a photo of Rev Kimindu in his new office and family and friends celebrating the opening of the class room building And a few photos of early gardening efforts on the next page.  And you can see water barely trickling out of the faucet. Thank you for your consideration of funding this crucial work in this area of Kenya, East Africa. All donations are fully tax deductible as allowed by US Law.  Checks can be written to the Global Justice Institute, which is a US registered 501-c(3), 446 West 36th Street, New York, New York 10018 {note Kenya Well in the memo}, or a contribution can be made on line by clicking the donate button.   All donations can be designated as “Kenya Well.”   May God bless you for your generous support. Global Justice Institute, 446 West 36th Street, New York, New York 10018

August 13, 2017

The Global Justice Institute Demands Equality and Justice for ALL People

The Global Justice Institute stands with all people for equal treatment, safety and full equality around the world.  We echo the words of Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe who said, “Go home.  You are not wanted…shame on you. You pretended you are patriots, but you are anything but a patriot.  We are stronger than you.  You have made (us) stronger.  There is no place for you here and there is no place for you in America.”

“Although many place their deadly actions under the umbrella of God and Christian faith, we say emphatically this is not the work of God, these are not Christian values, and these are not the behaviors of people of faith,” said Rev. Elder Pat Bumgardner, Executive Director of The Global Justice Institute and Senior Pastor of The Metropolitan Community Church of New York.

We must stand firm in the face of evil.  Defeating evil will take prayer, faith, and action.  Accordingly, we call for these immediate actions in response to this weekend’s terrorist acts;

1. Pray for the victims, especially for the family of Heather Heyer who was murdered in the streets of Charlottesville.

2. Demand an appropriate response from the President of the United States specifically denouncing Nazis and white supremacists and their actions.

3. As people of faith, demand that meaningful conversations and actions take place in our churches, in our local communities and at the National level.

4. Stand in solidarity with minority communities who will, no doubt, be targeted further as we continue toward full equality and justice for all people.

The time for action is now.  Let us all join together in prayerful activism today, tomorrow, and until God’s beloved community is established among us.  They are necessary.  The forces of hatred and division we saw in Charlottesville are planning similar gatherings around the U.S. in the coming weeks and months.  

This statement is prepared by The Global Justice Institute.

Rev. Elder Pat Bumgardner, Executive Director and Rev. Dr. Jim Merritt, Director for Family Concerns and Mr. Kareem Murphy

Contact Rev. Dr. Jim Merritt at revjim@revjim.org.

Tell Your U.S. Rep and Senators to SAVE Vital Services

Members of Congress will soon face big choices: will they make damaging cuts to nutrition, education, health care, housing, and more? Or will they prevent service cuts by asking the wealthiest 2 percent to pay more of their fair share in taxes? Will they favor defense contractors over human needs? Those concerned about promoting the common good, protecting the vulnerable, and rebuilding the economy have to speak out! Please send this email. We encourage you to change the text to reflect your concerns; or send it as is. But please be heard – and please forward this widely.

Click here to send an email to your Representative and Senators.

This is the text of the email people are asked to send (or they can edit the wording to personalize it):

Subject: Please prevent cuts to human needs programs; End upper income tax cuts

As your constituent, I urge you to follow these principles as you make budget and tax decisions: 1) protect low-income and vulnerable people; 2) promote job creation so all of us can share in restored economic growth; 3) increase revenues from fair sources; and 4) seek responsible savings by targeting waste in the Pentagon and elsewhere.

You can save vital services for low-income and vulnerable people by allowing tax cuts for the wealthiest 2 percent to expire. More than $1 trillion will be saved over the next decade if these tax cuts end. Asking those at the top to pay their fair share in taxes will allow needed investments in jobs, education, nutrition, health care, and housing. These and other services will help us now, and build for the future.

In the coming months, please vote to allow the tax cuts for the top 2 percent to expire in January 2013, and preserve tax credits for low-income working families. Please vote to avert cuts now scheduled for January in programs that prevent poverty and meet human needs.

We can make the investments needed for the common good if you take these responsible steps. Thanks for your attention.