Social Justice

2012 Vermont Statewide Housing Conference Keynote Address by Xavier de Souza Briggs of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).  For more information visit www.vhfa.org.

Parents for Change empowers families to improve educational opportunities. We are part of the Winooski-Burlington Partnership for Change working to reshape schools and strengthening communities by preparing all students for the future.  New Americans from the Burundian, Somali, Somali Bantu, Bhutanese/Nepali, and Vietnamese communities ask for specific commitments for change, based on thorough research, from Jeanne Collins (Superintendent of Burlington Schools), Amy Mellencamp (Principal of Burlington High School), Henri Sparks (Equity Director, Burlington Schools), BHS Guidance Director Patty Wesley and Linda Walsleban (English Language Learner Director).  Vermont Interfaith Action and Voices for Vermont's Children support Parents for Change networks, organizing and building on new parent leaders. VIA is an affiliate of the PICO Network, which has conducted faith-based organizing for over 30 years.  For more informatoin on Parents for Change, 802.651-8889  -  partner4kids@gmail.com  -  www.tiny.cc/parentsforchange

Senator Patrick Leahy's post-election thoughts and comments.

2012 Vermont Episcopal Diocesan Convention speaker Rev. Michael Bruce Curry, Bishop of North Carolina, speaks about Jesus and Social Justice, Hope in a Time of Darkness.

Bishop Curry will continue his visit on Friday afternoon, offering a social justice forum. As Episcopalians, we are Christians who engage with world issues that seem to grow larger and more urgent every year. Questions such as...
·  “How do we keep hope alive in ourselves in the face of such overwhelming issues in order to be a positive voice for change?” 
·  “How do spiritual issues inform social justice issues and vice versa?”
·  “What does Jesus say about social justice and what he does he do?”
...frame our spiritual engagement and commitment “to strive for justice and peace and respect the dignity of every human being.”  [Book of Common Prayer p. 305]

Against the backdrop of present-day Occupy Movements, Bishop Curry will lead a social justice forum that will bring together scripture, our baptismal promises and the 2012 Mission Goals of the Episcopal Church, with a specific focus on the contemporary issue of income inequality.

In addition to Bishop Curry’s presentation, there will be time for small group interaction and conversation. There will also be opportunity to sign up to be part of a grass roots effort to continue engaging in future conversations around the social justice issues of our time.