for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

Transcription

1 November 2015 Union County Interfaith Coordinating Council Sponsored by Community Access Unlimited "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 1 Thessalonians 5:18

2 About the Union County Interfaith Coordinating Council Our Mission The Union County Interfaith Coordinating Council works to facilitate regular interfaith meetings in order to make way for the building of bonds within the interfaith community. Union County Interfaith Coordinating Council Steering Committee Members Pastor E. Crawford Chair Ebenezer AME Rahway Sidney Blanchard Executive Director of CAU Pastor D. Brown First Baptist Church Elizabeth Pastor H. Bryant Townley Presbyterian Church Union Kevin E. Caldwell Community Church of GOD Plainfield Pastor Carmine Pernini Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church Rahway Pastor D. Ford St. Matthew Baptist Church Roselle Pastor Mertz First United Methodist Church Westfield Don Moore Islam Mosque Elizabeth Michelle Mobley Director of Youth Service Residential Roderick Spearman CAU Consultant Alder Arthur Skip Winters Cranford Presbyterian Church We respect the inclusion and welcoming of others regardless of faith, race or disability. We strive to be proactive on social issues. Our Goals To grow the network of faith-based organizations in Union County Encourage representatives from all faiths to join the Interfaith Coordinated Council including those of Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Islamic, and other faiths To be engaged in: 1. Community Building within faith-based organizations and the general Union County population. 2. The advancement of Social Justice. 3. The intentional inclusion of others regardless of gender, faith, race. Be active in activities that are inclusive and community building Our Objectives Sponsor regular engagement opportunities that facilitate the building of bonds within the Union County interfaith community and their congregations Strengthen the Union County religious congregations through involvement, action and education in self-help. Build working relationships between Union County religious organizations and Community Access Unlimited that create opportunities for youth and people with disabilities and their support staff. Potential Advantages to Joining the Interfaith Community Develop interfaith solidarity Become active with increased publicity Build religious membership Build support to fundraising events with paid participants Create full and part time employment opportunities for congregation members Provide educational opportunities regarding entitlements, housing, and other services, to congregation members Assist individuals within the congregation to obtain services; for example, people with disabilities, youth, people with physical disabilities, or senior citizens. Advantages to the Interfaith Community: Develop interfaith solidarity Become active with increased publicity Build religious membership Build support to fundraising events with paid participants Create full and part time employment opportunities for congregation members Provide educational opportunities regarding entitlements, housing, and other services, to congregation members Assist individuals within the congregation to obtain services for example for people with disabilities; youth; people with physical disabilities; senior citizens.

3 Message from the Chair Person The week of Thanksgiving means so much, to so many, for a vast number of reasons. For some, it means time around the table with family. For some, it means much needed time off from work. For some, it means the commencement of the Holiday Shopping season. For some, it means the start of Advent. For some, it means a period of great celebration. Yet for many others it is a difficult and perhaps dreadful time. A time when no food or not enough food is on the table. A time when unpaid leave and holidays create a hardship. A time when no money or not enough money is accessible. A time when their faith is tested and tried. A time when they remember the slaughter of their ancestors. So in this season of thanksgiving, let us give thanks for our blessings and remember those among who await the healing power and helping hand of God. Rev. Dr. Erika D. Crawford Join & Be Active Today! How can I join this viable group of supporters? Attend quarterly meetings. Invite other community leaders to attend our quarterly meetings. Support or host fundraising programs to support the Record Expungement Grant Program. Add your contact information to our mailing list. Share useful information about your organization. Contact Rod Spearman at x 324 for more information on becoming a member

4 By: Erich H. W. Kussman Sr. Editorial Let My People Go! Exodus 9:1 Ransom Writers and Speakers Pope Francis stated: Things have prices, people have dignity which is priceless. There has been a lot of stir since the Pontiff visited the CFCF Prison in Philadelphia on September 26, It has sparked debates in local and presidential forums about mass incarceration. What does that mean to the faith community especially when highlighting the fact that there are more people of color in prison today than there were slaves in Ransom Writers and Speakers partnered with other organizations and marched around CFCF as the Pontiff was inside helping the world see the dignity of a human being, no matter what station they are in life. The message was: Let My People Go! There were drums, preaching, and song as we joined in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in chains. The horrors of incarceration has gone on long enough with prisoners being killed, abused, and extorted by a system that views them as a statistical number for profit, instead of a human being. Prisons and jails in our country currently hold approximately 2.4 million people. That equates to around 25 percent of those incarcerated worldwide. We have the highest incarceration rate in the world. African- Americans and Latinos are significantly more likely than Caucasians to be arrested for possession and sale of marijuana and are more likely to receive a conviction and permanent criminal record, even though the majority of marijuana users are non-latino Caucasians. Almost 40 percent of prisoners are African-American, and more than half of the people entering prison live below the poverty line. The above facts are statistically significant with regard to class and racial disparity; and our entire society pays the price for what has become an unfair and broken system. The past 40 years of criminal justice policy have produced nothing more than overcrowded prisons and broken lives, not only of the incarcerated themselves, but their families, the overwhelmed employees, and the society who bears the financial and social burden of its effects. Rather than investing in our communities and our citizens, we have chosen to criminalize the effects of poverty. Rather than investing in programs for reform, we have removed opportunities for rehabilitation and replaced them with longer and harsher sentences. As a result of these policies, nearly 1 in 3 Americans have a criminal record that shows up on a routine background check. As people of faith, we must recognize that our society is filled with numerous groups and communities facing systemic oppression, and we must act. We must be willing to admit and address the complex realities within our world that create such problems, and avoid the spiritual laziness that tempts us to rely on generic excuses and solutions. I have seen firsthand the horrors of the prison industrial complex. I was incarcerated for 12 years in the New Jersey prison system. I was graciously allowed to run a prison ministry for 7 years as I worked in the Chaplaincy office. I ve witnessed many men renounce their gang ties to pick up their cross and follow Christ. I ve seen the power of God transform broken men and give them a sense of healing and peace they desperately longed for. In other words, there is hope. Behind these structures of concrete and steel, lies a labyrinth of abuse, corruption, and brokenness. The lack of educational training, rehabilitation, mental heath services, and even basic medical care, leaves one to wonder what kind of society we are building when we take little to no interest in helping them learn how to become participating members. Not only do those who are in these veritable tombs suffer without hope for a future, but the burden that is placed upon loved ones and family members enables more suffering and hopelessness. The children, who have to grow up without a parent, and who live with the stigmatization for the rest of their lives often pass down their own scars from abandonment and loss to their children, as incarceration cycles through generations of families. Not only that, just for a pris-

5 Editorial (continued) oner to call home will cost the family anywhere between $15-$20 for a 15 minute phone call. Making our criminal justice system fairer and more effective is a huge challenge for our country. We can t jail our way to a just society, and our current system isn't working. But what can we do as a people who believe in the dignity of life? More than 650,000 men and women are released from prison each year. Think about this: many are coming back to your city, and possibly, your neighborhood. Often, these individuals face difficulties finding employment, housing, and community. We strive to align ourselves with what Jesus speaks of in the gospel of Matthew: Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me. Then the righteous will answer him, saying, Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you? And the King will answer them, Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me. (Matthew 25: 34-40). Since I began Ransom Writers and Speakers, I have heard firsthand from people in prisons, jails, and juvenile detention centers about the barriers they face when they try to re-enter the world. When people with records try to access health care, apply for housing and jobs, seek educational opportunities, or exercise their right to vote, they face wall after wall. The lifelong purgatory for people with convictions is a form of double jeopardy that never allows them or their families to finish serving their time. The inability of the formerly incarcerated to get a job after they have paid their debt perpetuates a cycle of crime and recidivism. No discussion about reducing prison populations makes sense without plans to reintegrate the millions of people caught in a cycle where true transformation remains just out of reach. But the Bible tells us that Jesus cared deeply about the social causes around him. Even though Jesus loves everyone, even to the point of dying for their sins, he went out of his way to intentionally help specific groups of people - the alienated, mistreated, and those facing injustice. So saying Black Lives Matter and participating in a movement seeking justice, positive reform, and empowerment is one of the most Christ-like things we can do. Jesus intentionally, purposefully, and passionately addressed very specific causes. He radically addressed the diverse and complicated conflicts of the time and shattered the status quo. Jesus wasn t just preaching a universal salvation message for the world, but he was also addressing specific political, social, and racial issues. He was helping those who were being abused, violated, and oppressed. Involving ourselves within these issues serving those who need justice is an example of following Jesus that today s Christians must adhere to, because throughout the world there are millions of people who are suffering. Participating in social justice is a Christian tradition inspired by Jesus, not liberal causes, populist agendas, media platforms, lawmakers, or mainstream fads. It s a deeply spiritual practice. Instead of being motivated by political affiliations, financial gain, power, pride, control, or our own secular motivations, we should be active participants for the sake of following Jesus for the purpose of glorifying God by through acts of justice, empowerment, and love. Because everyone is created in the image of God and loved by God, we are responsible for identifying the victimized not rejecting their existence. That s why the New Testament goes into great depth detailing the newfound worth given to the Gentiles, slaves, and women. These countercultural instructions to believers were radically progressive, to the point where the gospel writers had to put them in writing to make sure they were implemented within the newly formed church. While God does love everyone and all believers are united in Christ, this doesn t negate the fact that we have a unique cultural identity and upbringing and are called to recognize the marginalized, help the oppressed, and avoid rejecting their significance by denying their identity or ignoring their plight. By acknowledging and actively participating in the #blacklivesmatter movement, addressing racism, immigration, gender equality, and the plight of those entangled in the prison industrial complex, you are following in the steps of Jesus. It s not a matter of pitting social causes against the gospel message of Christ; it s a matter of realizing that these causes ARE actually an important part of that gospel message. For more information on Ransom Writers and Speakers visit:

6 Member Spotlight REV. WILFRED D. THE INSTRUCTOR LEWIS. Rev. Wilfred D. Lewis aka The Instructor, our illustrious pastor was appointed the new leader of Saint Mark A.M.E. Church, Cranford, New Jersey by Bishop Gregory G.M. Ingram, Presiding Prelate of the First Episcopal District at the close of the New York Annual Conference on Sunday April 27 th Rev. Lewis has been an itinerant elder in the AME Church for the past 40 years. His father, the late Rev. Dr. Frederick V. Lewis was a pastor and Presiding Elder in the 16 th Episcopal District. Bishop Richard Allen Hildebrand was his mentor and Father in the ministry. In his early years, Rev. Lewis served as Youth Director of Christian Education at the historic Bridge St. AME Church, Brooklyn, New York. The then Dr. Hildebrand was his pastor. Rev. Lewis has pastored St. Phillip AME Church, Harris Bay, Bermuda; Mt. Zion AME Church, Riverton, NJ; Mt. Pisgah AME Church, Lawnside, NJ; Mt. Pisgah AME Church, Salem, NJ; Bethel AME Church, Ardmore, Pa; Bethel AME Church, Reading Pa; Bethel AME Church, York, Pa; St. James AME Church, Chambersburg, Pa., and Bethany AME Church, Yonkers, NY. Rev. Lewis has served as the President of the Bermuda AME Ministerial Alliance, and as an Instructor at the Minister s Institute. He has also served as the President of the Salem Interfaith Alliance for three years in Salem, NJ. He has been involved in Interfaith Alliances in every parish he has served. While pastoring Mt. Zion AME Church in Riverton, NJ, Rev. Lewis was cited as the preacher of the year by the Christian Federation of Men of Burlington County, NJ. Additionally, while pastoring Bethel, Ardmore, PA. Rev. Lewis completely refurbished and renovated the church parsonage. A coalition of clergy in Ardmore, PA., cited Rev. Lewis for his preaching ability and awarded him a plaque as preacher of the year. The membership of Bethel, Ardmore presented Rev. Lewis with the Richard Allen Award for meritorious pastoral leadership. While at Mt. Pisgah AME Church in Salem, NJ, for a period of eight years, Rev. Lewis completely refurbished the church sanctuary with new stained glass windows, new pews and new carpeting, and completed the new black top parking facility. The church was placed on the National Register of Historic Places by the Department of The Interior, Washington, D.C. Additionally, Rev. Lewis founded the City Wide Dr. Martin Luther King Annual Awards Breakfast. It is the largest of its kind in Salem County. Rev. Lewis received numerous awards from several organizations in Salem County. NJ Rev. Lewis has a Master s Degree in Human Services from Lincoln University, Oxford, Pa. He also has membership in the International Honor Society of Social Science Pi Gamma Mu duly elected to the Pennsylvania Alpha Lambda Chapter located at Lincoln University. Rev. Lewis also has a Master s of Divinity from Trinity Theological Seminary, Newburgh, In. He is a prolific and passionate writer and a frequent columnist for the AME Christian Recorder. He has written for the Philadelphia Daily News, and The Salem Courier. Rev. Lewis was a Candidate for Editor of the AME Christian Recorder in 2000 and 2004 respectively. Rev. Lewis is married to the lovely Lady Coleen Williams-Lewis, and he is the father of three beautiful daughters, Desiree, Denise and Danielle. He is also the proud grandfather of five grand children. Rev. Lewis is truly a remarkable man who loves the Lord and the people of God. His guiding principle for ministry is, Love the flock in his charge large or small, like they are the only ones to be loved. All a person needs is a hand to hold, and a heart to understand. People don t care how much you know until they know how much you care. Rev. Lewis is a pastor, preacher, teacher and an anointed revivalist. He has led many revivals and many souls have been saved. He has also led workshops on church growth and evangelism. Rev. Lewis is a member of the Cranford Clergy Council of New Jersey. He can be found teaching Bible Study every Tuesday in St. Mark at 6:30 p.m. We welcome all ethnicities to Saint Mark AME Church. Should you need Rev. Lewis for any special event; he can be reached at rev_lewis@hotmail.com

7 UCICC Outreach Coordinating Team Sidney Blanchard, Executive Director of Community Access Unlimited Roderick (Rod) Spearman UCICC Interfaith Coordinator Pastor Howard A. Bryant, UCICC Interfaith Coordinator Pastor Carmine Pernini UCICC Interfaith Coordinator Record Expungement Grant Application How Can This Grant Help Me? Individuals in Union County are trying to change their lives and move on from the mistakes of their past, by becoming productive, employed, tax-paying citizens in the community. Many have run into barriers in gaining employment, job training, and continuing education because of their minor past criminal record. This grant will help offset the costs that are associated with their efforts to get their record expunged. Individuals in Union County are trying to change their lives and move on from the mistakes of their past, by becoming productive, employed, tax-paying citizens in the community. Many have run into barriers in gaining employment, job training, and continuing education because of their minor past criminal record. This grant will help offset the costs that are associated with their efforts to get their record expunged. Application Guidelines 1. Your congregation must be an active member of the Union County Interfaith Coordination Council. 2. You must be endorsed by a member of the interfaith council congregations to apply for the grant. 3. Your congregations must be active in providing additional funds to support the grant. 4. You can only apply one time. 5. You must be willing to work with an approved record expungement counselor. 6. Your application will be reviewed by the UCICC Steering Committee Questions? Contact us at (908) x324 or us at rspearman@caunj.org

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9 Union County Day of Prayer draws together leaders from multiple faiths for message of peace Elizabeth, NJ Oct. 13, 2015 Amidst a time of international, national and local violence and crises, leaders from more than 40 houses of faith throughout Union County came together this week for the second Union County Day of Prayer, held Wednesday at the First United Methodist Church in Westfield. More than 300 people were in attendance. "Praying for peace in the midst of violence" featured readings and comments from religious leaders of a number of faiths, including Christianity, Judaism, Islam and Buddhism, as well as music. The Union County Day of Prayer is an interfaith gathering of the faith-based, nonprofit and government communities to unite people from throughout the county regardless of race, religion or disability and to bring greater awareness of the support services available to them, according to Sid Blanchard, executive director of Community Access Unlimited (CAU), which supports people with disabilities and at-risk youth. The event is sponsored by the Union County Interfaith Coordinating Council, an organization comprising 40 interfaith congregations and community-based nonprofits, including CAU. The council promotes inclusion of all people within the community, without regard to race, religion or disability, and creates a clearing house of faith-based, nonprofit and government community services available to the public, according to Blanchard. "We come together to help bring the community together," Blanchard said. "You can't have community unless all people are included in that community and are respected for their worth as humans. "We see today a lot of violence taking place in the community. For a lot of us, violence is not a one-time occurrence, it's an everyday occurrence," he added, noting that people with disabilities are among the most prevalent victims of violence in the community. Cantor Matthew Axelrod of the Congregational Beth Israel in Scotch Plains, was one of the religious leaders who participated in the event. "I think these interfaith events are very important," he said. "They bring the community together and give us access to each other's traditions. It de-emphasizes what divides us and shows us what we have in common, bringing us together." Pastor Carmine Pernini of the Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Rahway, said, "There is a lot of violence in community and it's a good sign that various religious traditions can come together and pray. That is a sign of peace. I'm here to pray with my brothers and sisters in a sign of peace." Father Jack Martin, Priest Emeritus, said, "We debate. We argue. We take sides and defend our rights. Among all the anger and violence, let us remember there is reverence in the face of the other." Ven. Duhk-Song Sunim of the So Shim Sa Zen Center in Plainfield, added, "The Buddhist teachings are based on kindness and love of all living creatures. The Buddhist view is we are all part of the larger community." Imam Ali Jaaber of the Masjid Darul Islam Mosque in Elizabeth, said every community must embrace those in the greatest need at times of crises, citing the needs of the 600,000 refugees pouring into Europe. "We have to reach out to see what support we have and the attitudes and dispositions of people of other faiths. We have to build on that," he said, adding that the mosque will be holding coats drives for refugees and will look across denominations for support, something the Interfaith Coordinating Council has made possible, he said. "It has benefitted our community," he said. "Jobs, education, training, record expungement. As a person serving the community I have to stay active with those in the county who do the same." Added Blanchard, "It's great to have a Thanksgiving dinner. It's great to have a holiday collection and a Day of Prayer. But there are 362 other days of the year we have to be here for each other." CAU is a statewide Elizabeth-based nonprofit providing support programs and services to adults with disabilities as well as youth served under the Department of Children and Families (DCF) to enable them to live independently in the community, in areas including housing, vocational and life-skills training, education, advocacy and recreation. About the Union County Interfaith Coordinating Council The Union County Interfaith Coordinating Council is an organization of interfaith congregations and community-based nonprofits with the mission to facilitate regular interfaith meetings in order to make way for the building of bonds between a community of different faiths and to respect the inclusion and encourage welcoming of others regardless of faith, race or disability and to be proactive on social issues. The council's objectives are to sponsor regular engagement opportunities that facilitate the building of bonds within the Union County interfaith community and their congregations; strengthen the Union County religious congregations through involvement, action and education in self-help; and build working relationships between Union County religious organizations and Community Access Unlimited that create opportunities for youth and people with disabilities and their support staff.

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12 November is National Runaway Prevention Month More Than Meets the Eye: 2015 Purpose to raise awareness of the runaway and homeless youth crisis and the issues that these young people face to educate the public about solutions and the role they can play in ending youth homelessness. Were you aware: Every year between 1.6 and 2.8 million youth runaway. The average age of runaway youth are but they have been as young as % of runaways have a history of running away. The biggest reported issue of why youth runaway is family dynamics. 75% of the runaway youth rely on friends/relatives for survival. 11% of turn to shelter or soup kitchens. There has been an increase in homeless youth maintaining employment. There has been an increase in homeless youth relying on the sex industry to survive. Runaway and Homeless youth are not bad kids, they are typically good kids that are caught in bad situations. Young people on the street are often referred to as bad kids if/when they engage in risky behaviors. The reality is many of these young people only engage in these behaviors once they are on the streets and only do so for survival or to cope. What you can do to help raise awareness/show Support: Change your outside light bulbs to Green Light Bulbs for the month. Adopt a wear green day with your friends or within your organization. Participate in E-Campaign: Add to your signature line of your November is National Runaway Prevention Month! Get involved today by visiting 1800RUNAWAY.org Community Access Unlimited Transitional Opportunities Program will: Change all Program outside lights to Green. Green Ribbons will be distributed along with information about NRPM and the shelter to the community. We will encourage people to wear the ribbons in support of the runaway and homeless youth. Participate in national Wear Green Day on11/12/15. All CAU staff and members will be asked to wear green in support of runaway and homeless youth. Pictures will be taken throughout the day so that they can be sent to National Runaway Safe line. Participate in the E-Campaign. Youth Homelessness is a serious issue. If you know of youth who are in need of shelter please contact Community Access Unlimited Runaway and Homeless Youth Shelter: (908) or (908)

13 Advertise in the UCICC Newsletter! Got an exciting event or program happening? Reach out to members of the interfaith community in Union County by advertising in this newsletter! Please send all ready ads to Rod Spearman at by the 15th of every month to save a space!

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16 NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT 225 Elizabeth, NJ 80 West Grand Street Elizabeth, NJ Phone: TTY/TTD: Fax: Community Access Unlimited s Mission: To provide community access through effective and comprehensive support services for people with disabilities and at-risk youth, giving them the opportunity to live independently and to lead normal and productive lives in the community. UCICC & Steering Committee Upcoming Events UPCOMING EVENT UCICC and UJCCFJ (New Jersey Clergy Coalition for Justice) LEGISLATIVE TRIP TO TRENTON NOVEMBER 16, 2015 DETAILS TO FOLLOW UCICC Steering Committee Meeting December 3, 2015 at 10:00 AM Community Access Unlimited 80 W Grand St, Elizabeth NJ Full UCICC Meeting January 7, 2016 at 7:00 PM Location TBD Rod Spearman Union County Interfaith Coordinating Council c/o Community Access Unlimited 80 West Grand Street, Elizabeth, NJ Phone: (908) Fax:(908)