CALEB Meeting
Thank you to everyone who attended and participated in the CALEB General Meeting, hosted this month by F-CUWF. As a proud member organization of CALEB (Chattanoogans in Action for Love, Equality, and Benevolence), we were able to share how our Christian values and United Methodist Social Principles come alive through action and advocacy in our community.
If you—man, woman, or youth—feel a call to create positive change in Chattanooga and beyond, CALEB is actively addressing criminal justice, economic mobility and education reform. Find out more at https://www.calebcha.org/ or contact Donna Palmer at dsbpsych@gmail.com
If you—man, woman, or youth—feel a call to create positive change in Chattanooga and beyond, CALEB is actively addressing criminal justice, economic mobility and education reform. Find out more at https://www.calebcha.org/ or contact Donna Palmer at dsbpsych@gmail.com
Holston Church and Society Committee Statement in Opposition to TN Bills
Every child living in Tennessee should have the opportunity to enroll in public education. All children are made in God’s image and are of sacred worth and value. Yet, children in our United Methodist Holston Conference churches and communities, who are living in Tennessee, may soon be denied public education, if proposed bills (House bill 793/Senate Bill 836) are passed. Education of all children is affirmed by Scripture which calls us to “train children in the way they should go (Proverbs 22:6).” This legislation is not just discriminatory, but it also violates the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment as explained in the United States Supreme Court decision, Plyler v. Doe (1982), which recognized that public education should be available to all children, regardless of immigration status. The Supreme Court affirmed that public education “has a fundamental role in maintaining the fabric of our society” and “provides the basic tools by which individuals might lead economically productive lives to the benefit of us all.” We stand with the members of our community that are being targeted by this legislation, because we understand that “if one member suffers, all suffer together … (1 Corinthians12: 26a).”
Children living in Tennessee in our United Methodist Holston Conference are in no way responsible for their immigration status, and schools serve as a means for education, socialization, and job skill training. “When immigrants live in your land with you, you must not cheat them. Any immigrant who lives with you must be treated as if they were one of your citizens. You must love them as yourself, because you were immigrants in the land of Egypt; I am the Lord your God (Leviticus 19:33-34).” As United Methodists, in accordance with our Social Principles, we are called to oppose all laws and policies that attempt to dehumanize displaced individuals and families based on their status as migrants, immigrants or refugees (United Methodist Church Council of Bishops December 18, 2024, Pastoral Letter; Social Principles of the United Methodist Church, The Political Community, Basic Rights and Freedoms, Section G.). We in the United Methodist Holston Conference stand with our immigrant neighbors to strongly oppose this legislation.
Children living in Tennessee in our United Methodist Holston Conference are in no way responsible for their immigration status, and schools serve as a means for education, socialization, and job skill training. “When immigrants live in your land with you, you must not cheat them. Any immigrant who lives with you must be treated as if they were one of your citizens. You must love them as yourself, because you were immigrants in the land of Egypt; I am the Lord your God (Leviticus 19:33-34).” As United Methodists, in accordance with our Social Principles, we are called to oppose all laws and policies that attempt to dehumanize displaced individuals and families based on their status as migrants, immigrants or refugees (United Methodist Church Council of Bishops December 18, 2024, Pastoral Letter; Social Principles of the United Methodist Church, The Political Community, Basic Rights and Freedoms, Section G.). We in the United Methodist Holston Conference stand with our immigrant neighbors to strongly oppose this legislation.
The Nation Must Quickly Course Correct
NEW YORK – United Women in Faith, the nation’s largest denominational organization for women, today expressed concern regarding the early policy actions of the new administration.
“We are deeply troubled by the administration’s policy decisions, including the systemic rollback of civil rights protections, especially for communities of color, withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement, expulsion of immigrants and proposals to dismantle organizations like USAID, which provide essential humanitarian aid to vulnerable populations globally. Such policies threaten the well-being of individuals and communities that depend on the support of these programs.
“As an organization rooted in faith and committed to justice, we hold that every individual, regardless of immigration status, gender, class, race, religion, sexuality, or location, is made in the image of God and deserves dignity, care, and respect (Genesis 1:27). These policies contradict our belief in the fundamental rights and inherent worth of all people.
“We believe that government has a sacred responsibility to protect its people and those most vulnerable in society. Instead, we are witnessing policies that foster division and disproportionately harm those who are already marginalized, including women, children, immigrants, indigenous peoples, queer communities and communities of color. As Scripture teaches, ‘Let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!’ (Amos 5:24). Justice and righteousness should guide all of our national policies, ensuring that they serve the common good.
“The President’s recent foreign policy comments also raise serious concerns. We are deeply disturbed at the proposed expulsion of more than 2 million Palestinians from their homeland in Gaza that [is tantamount to ethnic cleansing and] violates international and humanitarian law. As an organization that values the pursuit of peace and reconciliation, we urge our leaders should respect international law and act with wisdom and caution in all matters of foreign policy.
“We are deeply disturbed by the attempt to roll back basic civil rights protections for students, to increase the criminalization of communities of color and to undo gains made in advancing climate justice. As United Women in Faith, we’re committed to ensuring that the long-term interests of women, children and youth are central. “United Women in Faith calls on our nation’s leaders to place greater emphasis on policies that promote justice, equity, and reconciliation. We urge all elected officials to uphold human rights and the dignity for all of God’s creation and work toward the common good of all people, regardless of their background or political views. The health of our nation depends on a commitment to fair and just policies that reflect the values we hold dear as a society.”
“We are deeply troubled by the administration’s policy decisions, including the systemic rollback of civil rights protections, especially for communities of color, withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement, expulsion of immigrants and proposals to dismantle organizations like USAID, which provide essential humanitarian aid to vulnerable populations globally. Such policies threaten the well-being of individuals and communities that depend on the support of these programs.
“As an organization rooted in faith and committed to justice, we hold that every individual, regardless of immigration status, gender, class, race, religion, sexuality, or location, is made in the image of God and deserves dignity, care, and respect (Genesis 1:27). These policies contradict our belief in the fundamental rights and inherent worth of all people.
“We believe that government has a sacred responsibility to protect its people and those most vulnerable in society. Instead, we are witnessing policies that foster division and disproportionately harm those who are already marginalized, including women, children, immigrants, indigenous peoples, queer communities and communities of color. As Scripture teaches, ‘Let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!’ (Amos 5:24). Justice and righteousness should guide all of our national policies, ensuring that they serve the common good.
“The President’s recent foreign policy comments also raise serious concerns. We are deeply disturbed at the proposed expulsion of more than 2 million Palestinians from their homeland in Gaza that [is tantamount to ethnic cleansing and] violates international and humanitarian law. As an organization that values the pursuit of peace and reconciliation, we urge our leaders should respect international law and act with wisdom and caution in all matters of foreign policy.
“We are deeply disturbed by the attempt to roll back basic civil rights protections for students, to increase the criminalization of communities of color and to undo gains made in advancing climate justice. As United Women in Faith, we’re committed to ensuring that the long-term interests of women, children and youth are central. “United Women in Faith calls on our nation’s leaders to place greater emphasis on policies that promote justice, equity, and reconciliation. We urge all elected officials to uphold human rights and the dignity for all of God’s creation and work toward the common good of all people, regardless of their background or political views. The health of our nation depends on a commitment to fair and just policies that reflect the values we hold dear as a society.”
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Women Like You Change The World
Put your talents, energy and ideas to work. You’ll find flexible opportunities for spiritual growth and ways to act for social justice, support your community, live your faith and enrich your life right here at First-Centenary United Women in Faith in our small groups/Circles.