SojoAction Alert - Update on the DC Occupation

View this email in your browser On August 11th, the White House invoked a section of the Home Rule Act, federalizing the DC Metro Police and deploying 800 National Guard troops throughout the city, citing public safety concerns. Since 2023, crime rates have consistently decreased, and this year alone marks the second-lowest crime rate since 1966. He then dropped this pretense and stated he occupied the city “preemptively.” The impact of this declaration is already affecting the houseless community, who must decide between relocating outside of the city, staying in shelters, or committing themselves to addiction or mental health services. If they refuse, they will face fines or imprisonment. Advocates fear that the tactics employed in DC bear remarkable resemblance to the immigration sweeps and civil rights abuses being seen across the country as ICE invades and terrorizes immigrant communities. Protestors have taken to the streets demanding an end to the occupation of DC and the attacks on their community members. We are calling on the faith community to act—use our voices and platforms to demand an end to the occupation of DC, protect the vulnerable, sign petitions, and call our representatives. Take action today In Faith and Resistance, Adam Russell Taylor President, Sojourners

WCC NEWS: Church leaders and policymakers in Fiji amplify Thursdays in Black

Policymakers and church leaders in Fiji are amplifying Thursdays in Black, already a long-held campaign in the nation but now growing its momentum even more. Pacific church leaders meet in Pago Pago, American Samoa. Photo: Rev. James Bhagwan 19 August 2025 Fiji minister for Women, Children, and Social Protection Sashi Kiran, publicly told the Fijian parliament in August that the Thursday in Black initiative calls on Fijians to stand in solidarity with survivors of rape and violence, and to send a powerful message that gender-based violence will not be tolerated in any form. “By wearing black, we amplify the voices of survivors, challenge the culture of silence, and call for a world free from violence, fear, and discrimination,” Kiran stated. “Every life lost to domestic violence is one too many, yet in Fiji, the tragedy continues to unfold in our homes.” In 2025, four women and one man in Fiji lost their lives to intimate partner violence. According to the Fiji police crime statistics for June 2025, sexual offences increased by 28 percent, with 60 percent of the victims under the age of 18 years. “Crime against children have risen by eight percent, over half involving sexual abuse, and nearly a quarter of them committed within family homes,” said Kiran. Domestic violence remains widespread, most often perpetrated by those closest to the victim, she added. “I urge every honourable member in this House, the leaders in our faith traditions, in the business sector, and our community leaders, please, speak out against gender-based violence and encourage your homes and communities to develop zero tolerance to all forms of violence,” she said. Rev. James Bhagwan, general secretary, of the Pacific Conference of Churches, said that Thursdays in Black has been active in the Pacific since the 1980s, thanks largely to the work of the YWCA, which played an important role in the formation of the women's movement, particularly in Fiji. “Today, the Pacific Conference of Churches and its member churches observe Thursdays in Black, and the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, as well as the annual observance of break the Silence Sunday, the Sunday preceding the 16 Days,” he said. Thursdays in Black See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 356 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa.  Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland

WCC NEWS: Youth address eco-anxiety through prayer, music—and clarion calls to action

During this years Ecumenical International Youth Day, observed over 2 days, 12 and 13 August, young people from across the world explored the theme "Rooted in Hope: Nurturing Faith and Mental Well-being in the Face of Climate Crisis (Eco-Anxiety).” Photo: Marcelo Schneider/WCC 19 August 2025 Abigayle Bolado, WCC programme executive for Youth Engagement, gave an overview of the two-day event. Day one was focused on eco-anxiety and how the climate crisis and climate disasters have affected and disrupted the lives of people; as well as the mental health of the young people.  Day two was focused on sharing climate initiatives and climate advocacies of different young people from local, regional, and global platforms. The event did not only focus on listening but sharing the participants’ stories and hopes for climate action and practices.  Henriette Greulich, from the World Student Christian Federation, serving as the Chairperson of the Europe region, provided an overview of eco-anxiety. She touched on some definitions of eco-anxiety.  “Have you noticed how these feelings affect you, your friends, or your community?” Greulich asked. “Mental wellbeing is more than just the absence of mental illness.” Participants agreed that, when we talk about mental wellbeing in the context of the climate crisis, we are recognizing that our inner world is deeply connected with the state of the world around us. Photo: Marcelo Schneider/WCC Andrej Lacko, a member of the World Council of Churches (WCC) Young People in the Ecumenical Movement, offered a biblical reflection connected with a short devotion based on the second account of the creation (Gen 2). He described how last year the youth commission met in Manila, Philippines: “One of the points of our programme was to visit the fisher folk—people who had been fishing for generations in Manila Bay,” he described. But, due to development of the land around the bay, the fisher folk are being cut out of their livelihoods and forced to leave their homes. Lacko also reflected on the rise of natural disasters due to climate change. “In the recent days and recent weeks there have been floods in Japan where more than 300,000 people had to move homes, had to be evacuated because of the water,” he said. Nevertheless, he stressed, the hope, feeling of responsibility for our brothers and sisters all over the world, and call to common action as rooted in the biblical message are stronger than any fear, anxiety or despair. Katelyn King, a licensed social worker whose Mennonite faith inspires her to work for justice, was the keynote speaker, offering a presentation that described her own formation of caring for the earth.  “My path to this work was not straightforward or expected,” she said, recalling how, as a child, she became very upset about climate change-related issues. “I remember feeling helpless and scared and sad—and I just started crying,” she said. “I was able to pack up those feelings, shove them in a box, and close the door.” But not forever. King went on to describe how she now dedicates her life’s work to helping people deal with trauma—including eco-anxiety.  Young people also shared moving stories from their own contexts. Ngoni Muchenje, from Zimbabwe, recalled standing with a farmer who had just sold his last goods.  “He told me: ‘I cry at night,’ and his testimony haunted me,” said Muchenje. “Presently there are nights that I can’t sleep—I carry their souls in my heart.” Maro Maua, a climate activist from Kenya, shared about a biodiversity restoration initiative in which cycling sport and conservation meet. It has resulted in the rehabilitation of degraded mangrove vegetation and the beautification of scenic highlands and beach shores, with the feeling that “every pedal forward, is a step toward a greener tomorrow.” The newly launched WCC Ecumenical Decade of Climate Justice Action was the anchor of the theme, presented by Kevin Maina, a Kenyan Anglican church youth leader who advocates for youth, climate justice, and social change. Maina is a member of the World Council of Churches Commission on Climate Justice and Sustainable Development. Young people then participated in a panel discussion on what climate justice means to them. Rev. Jackline Makena Mutuma, from the Methodist Church in Kenya, is vice moderator of the WCC Commission on Faith and Order. She said feelings of injustice and eco-anxiety are compounded by perceptions of inadequate government action and a sense of betrayal. “Now, the question that I ask—is what’s the solution to all this? Take legal action against the financiers of fossil fuel extraction for intergenerational climate justice,” she said. “Since the 1970s, the WCC has been a key player in climate justice movements.” She explained how the WCC has also co-organized discussions with legal experts regarding the protection of children’s rights though climate litigation. “The WCC is now taking action to support intergenerational climate justice based on its commitment to protecting the most vulnerable and addressing the root causes of climate change,” she said. The Ecumenical International Youth Day 2025 closed with calls to action from participants.  Photo: Paul Jeffrey/WCC These included promoting community resilience and awareness; seeing climate stewardship as a biblical mandate; and integrating theology and creation.  Young people called for continuous engagement, more support for rural communities, and the recognition that women, children, youth, and people with disabilities often bear the greatest burden of climate change. Group discussions were full of stories about landslides, heavy rain—and also the disaster of political backsliding from governments failing to honor their promises. Finally, the Ecumenical International Youth Day 2025 ended on a note of hope: participants agreed that they will be carriers of hope—because hope is what will lead others to take action.  Rev. Dr Kuzipa Nalwamba, WCC programme director for Unity, Mission, and Ecumenical Formation, closed the event with a blessing in a “world groaning for renewal yet still shimmering with the promise of new creation.” She wished the participants calm hearts in their endeavors. “May the Creator who called the Earth ‘very good’ bless your hands to plant, your voice to speak, and your life to shine with hope.”  Nalwamba encouraged the young people to walk in faith and work for justice. “Go in peace, to love and to serve, and to join God’s renewal of all creation,” she concluded. Ecumenical International Youth Day 2025 See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 356 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland

Call to Action: Lamenting Increased Militarism on our City Streets

Act Now

“They shall beat their swords into plowshares… neither shall they learn war anymore.” —Isaiah 2:4 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” —Matthew 5:9 As followers of Jesus Christ and members of the Presbyterian Church (USA), scripture calls us to speak with moral clarity in times of injustice. Today, we lament the increasing militarization of our cities and public spaces—a trend that undermines public trust, deepens racial and economic injustice, and distracts from policies that criminalize poverty, target immigrants and vulnerable populations, and threaten democracy.  In recent years, law enforcement agencies nationwide have increasingly utilized military-grade weapons, advanced surveillance technologies, and patrolled our city streets with marked and unmarked armored vehicles. Under the first Trump administration, this trend reached new and dangerous heights. In June 2020, peaceful protestors in Lafayette Square were violently dispersed with tear gas and riot control tactics, clearing the way for a photo opportunity misappropriating the Christian religion as a justification for authoritarian control. Federal agents were deployed to cities like Portland without the consent of local officials—actions condemned by civil rights organizations, faith leaders, and international observers alike. While these images drew public outcry in years past, the patterns of state violence have not only continued but evolved in recent months under the current Trump Administration. This misuse of policing is not impartial as it disproportionately targets Black and brown communities. Children and teenagers have become primary targets in federal crackdowns masquerading as public safety efforts. In major cities, ICE enforcement actions have significantly increased. Sweeps targeting immigrant and unhoused communities are being conducted with tactical units, not housing specialists or social workers.  This month, despite violent crime in Washington, D.C. being at a 30-year low—with violent crime down 26%, homicides down 12%, carjackings down 37%, and overall incidents down more than 35% from 2023—President Trump declared a public safety emergency and invoked a little-used clause of the D.C. Home Rule Act to seize control of the Metropolitan Police Department and deploy 800 National Guard troops under federal authority for 30 days. City leaders, legal experts, and faith communities have denounced this action as politically motivated, unlawful, and an attack on local governance. Nevertheless, President Trump has publicly threatened to expand this strategy to New York City and Chicago, even hinting at the potential use of martial-law-style control. As people of faith, we affirm that every person is made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). This sacred truth means that each life carries inherent dignity, worth, and agency, not to be denied by the state or reduced to a security threat. When the state targets our youth and treats Black neighborhoods with hostility, it violates not only human rights but the divine imprint each person bears.  Our Christian faith and Reformed tradition speak clearly in this moment. We must faithfully resist the idolatry of power and bear witness to God’s peace. God’s vision for peace does not involve militaristic city takeovers, riot shields, or forced sweeps. Proper public safety arises from access to affordable housing, mental health care, community-led safety programs, and accountable, demilitarized law enforcement. The prophet Isaiah envisions a world where tools of war are transformed into tools of growth. Jesus declares that “peacemakers will be called children of God” and teaches that answering violence with more violence and showing overwhelming force are not the ways of Jesus.  The PC(USA) has taken strong, faithful stands. The 224th General Assembly (2020) called for an end to the transfer of military equipment to local police forces and a shift toward nonviolent, community-centered public safety approaches. As Presbyterians, we must not remain neutral in the face of injustice. We must act with moral clarity in this moment. 1. Tell Congress today to end militarized policing, defund inhumane enforcement, and reject the Administration’s unnecessary federal authority to control cities within 30 days. 2. Support local organizing by joining or supporting immigrant justice and housing coalitions. 3. Engage congregations by hosting a discussion, worship service, or prayer vigil on militarization, racial justice, and immigration using PC(USA) resources.  Let us be the peacemakers Jesus calls us to be. Let us resist the machinery of fear and stand for a world rooted in justice, compassion, and hope.

Act Now

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Presbyterians for Earth Care - Earth Care Tips for Tackling Food Waste🥦 + Water Webinar 💦 Next Week

Presbyterian for Earth Care Monthly Promos and Creation Care Tips Here are our monthly creation care tips. Please share them with your communications person for inclusion in your September newsletter or weekly bulletin announcements.(Let us know who your communication person is, and we can deliver this directly to their inbox.) Food Waste, Food Labels, and Composting In the U.S., Americans throw away nearly 120 million pounds of food every year, almost 40% of our country’s entire food supply. That equals 325 pounds of waste per person/per year. Food spoilage is one of the major reasons that all food is wasted. 80% of Americans misunderstand food expiration labels such as sell by, use by, and best by. These labels have no federal standards and are confusing. Rather than risk food-borne illness, people throw away perfectly good food. Most food date labels are about quality, not safety. They indicate when a product is at its peak flavor or quality, not when it becomes unsafe to eat. If you are still unsure, you can use the “look, sniff, taste test”. Does the food look OK? Does it smell right? Does it taste like it should? If you answer yes to all three questions, you can relax and enjoy eating your food. We had some jelly on the shelf that was well past its sell by date. It looked like the raspberry had lost some of its color, it smelled very bland and tasted the same. Was it bad? Probably not, but we threw it out and vowed to do better. Here is a link from the EPA about preventing food waste at home. The FDA also has tips to reduce food waste. To shop smarter and reduce food waste, plan your meals, create a shopping list based on your plan, and buy only what you need. Prioritize buying fresh produce in smaller quantities and consider buying imperfect or ugly produce. Be mindful of bulk purchases and always check use-by dates. Here's a more detailed breakdown: 1.Plan Your Meals and Make a List: Plan ahead: Before heading to the store, plan your meals for the week. Inventory check: Review what you already have in your fridge, freezer, and pantry to avoid buying duplicates. Create a targeted list: Based on your meal plan, create a detailed grocery list with specific quantities to avoid impulse buys and overbuying. Stick to the list: Resist the temptation to buy items not on your list, even if they are on sale, as they may end up as waste. 2.Buy Only What You Need: Fresh produce: Buy fresh produce in smaller quantities, especially highly perishable items like berries or salad greens. Consider frequency: Opt for frequent, smaller trips for fresh produce to avoid spoilage. Imperfect produce: Don't hesitate to buy "ugly" fruits and vegetables, as they are often just as nutritious and can be cheaper. Bulk buying wisely: While trips to the big box stores and bulk buying can save money, ensure you can consume the items before they expire. "By the aisle" tips: Pay attention to how different foods are stored and their spoilage rates when making purchasing decisions. 3.Other Helpful Tips: Read expiration dates carefully: While "sell-by" dates are often suggestions, pay attention to use-by dates for food safety. Storage matters: Properly store your groceries to extend their shelf life and prevent spoilage. Consider local and seasonal: Buying local and seasonal produce can reduce food waste by shortening the distance food travels. Utilize leftovers: Plan meals that incorporate leftovers to minimize food waste. Composting: Compost food scraps to reduce waste and create nutrient-rich soil for your garden. Here is a printable list by CompostNow.org of what items are safe to compost. The best thing that you can do to keep food waste out of the waste stream is to compost. You can compost in your backyard, use a composter, subscribe to a composting service, or take advantage of curb-side composting offered by your municipality (in cities like Portland, OR, San Francisco, Seattle, and Boulder). Encourage municipal composting in your area!!! For those of you who like ice cream, here’s just one more reason to support Ben & Jerry’s. They are turning their own food waste into energy. See the link here. Living Waters for the World: Learning Together through Clean Water Partnerships Join us to learn about clean water partnerships from Kendall Cox, Director of Programs for Living Waters for the World, a non-profit organization that trains teams to work with partners on water purification projects. There are now over 1,150 water partnerships, from right here in the US and to 27 other countries, bringing clean water to God’s children. We will find out how we can support clean water access domestically and worldwide. WEBINAR DATE: Tuesday, August 19, 2025 TIME: 7:30 pm EDT (6:30 CDT, 5:30 MDT, 4:30 PDT) PRESENTER: Kendall Cox SPEAKER BIO Originally from Kentucky, Kendall Cox graduated from Centre College in Danville, Kentucky and went straight into the Peace Corps, serving in Botswana, Africa where she lived for 3 1/2 years, teaching and coaching at a middle school in a village there. She met her husband, Wade, a fellow volunteer, and returned home with two little ones on the way. The Mississippi Teacher Corps brought their family to Greenville, Mississippi in 1995. Her husband began teaching at a local high school and when the kids went to school, Kendall began working at the local health department, helping families with breastfeeding. What they thought would be a two year stay in the Mississippi Delta has turned into almost 30 years, including raising their twins here, getting involved with the community and their church, First Presbyterian, and bringing their mothers here to live. It was at First Pres that her whole family got involved with clean water through partnerships. CLICK HERE for Webinar Registration CLICK HERE for Conference Info Nominate Your Eco-Justice Champion for 2025 We value your opinion and need your help! Do you know a young adult, 30 years old or younger, who connects their faith with creation and shows great potential to be a future leader for environmental justice? Or perhaps you know a more mature person who has spent their life acting and advocating for the beauty, integrity, and health of God’s creation. Maybe your congregation or faith organization operates in a sustainable manner and promotes being a good steward of God’s earth, both within and beyond its membership. If one of these prompts brought an individual or a congregation/organization to your mind, now is the time to nominate them for a Presbyterians for Earth Care (PEC) Annual Earth Care Award. PEC presents three awards annually, two to individuals and one to an organization. These awards are given to individuals and groups whose work for the environment is especially praiseworthy and creative. The William Gibson Eco-Justice Award honors an individual with a long history of being a good steward of the Earth, promotes sustainable practices for individuals or organizations, motivates and inspires others to care for God’s creation, and demonstrates care and concern for the sacred bond that exists between all things, living and nonliving. The Restoring Creation Award honors a congregation or faith-based organization that demonstrates sustainable practices and models them for other organizations, operates in a manner that is consistent with good stewardship of God’s creation, partners with organizations to leverage resources for greater impact, and encourages continuous environmental efforts within the organization. The Emerging Earth Care Leader Award honors an individual, age 18 to 30, who demonstrates sustainable practices and encourages others to care for God’s creation, expands Earth stewardship and sustainable practices through organizing, developing, and/or presenting one or more activities, projects, publications, or events, and incorporates care and concern for the sacred bond between all living things. Visit the Awards page on the PEC website for more information, then nominate your eco-justice hero by October 15, 2025. If you are a PEC member/donor, you are welcome to nominate an awardee. If you are not a member/donor and would like to make a nomination, you can join or renew your PEC membership now. Volunteers are needed to make the decision about which qualified individual/congregation or organizations will receive the 2025 awards. If you would like to serve on the PEC Awards Committee, contact PEC Coordinator Mindy Hidenfelter at pec@presbyearthcare.org. The deadline for submitting nominations for PEC Awards is October 15th. CLICK HERE to Nominate an Award Recipient How can we help you care for God’s creation?  Drop us an email and let us know at presbyearthcare@gmail.com Help us grow! Please let us know if there is anyone we should add to our list!  Just reply to this email.  Thank you! Please help us to continue to assist individuals and churches in creation care work by donating to PEC through our website by CLICKING HERE.  Thank you!

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