It is a pleasure to announce the recipients of the Peace with Justice Grants for 2015. The following projects are receiving cash awards from the Peace with Justice Offering taken in 2014.
- Wheels for Justice, an outreach program for girls at ‘Home for Girls’ in Cabanatuan City, Philippines, whose primary need is for a good quality vehicle to transport girls during court hearings. Their current vehicle is old with mechanical problems that require girls to take public transportation, which makes them vulnerable to abduction so that they are unable to file a case or witness against offenders. These are girls who have been emotionally and physically abused as well as victims of incest. At the home they find safety, education, job training and counseling. $3,000.
- Care and Feeding Program for Children on the Streets, Lubumbashi, DRC. This is a project of the UMC in the South Congo Conference to feed and care for street children and children without parents or who live in poor families. The project combats malnutrition, educates children, pays school fees and supports salaries for teachers, and works for the care and health of street children. $1,000.
- Fossil Free UMC, a project of Caretakers of God’s Creation, a grassroots community of United Methodists who believe that a relationship with God’s creation and a ministry of caring for and healing the earth are integral to what it means to be a Christian. Fossil Free UMC is an initiative to urge the General Board of Pension and Health Benefits to divest from fossil fuels and to amend the UMC’s socially responsible investing guidelines. $250.
- Boundary County Youth Crisis and Domestic Violence Hotline. A 24-hour hotline service providing accurate unbiased information and referral by trained volunteers and promoting the rights of victims of crime through education, support and assistance. Works to transform the community through education and assistance. $250.
- Shared Breakfast, an outreach of First United Methodist Church, Seattle. Project to provide a hot, filling breakfast to the homeless and needy of Seattle, many of whom are guests at the 60 bed First UMC Men’s Shelter. Through sustenance and shelter, the men at the Shelter are able to find stability and move into homes, jobs, and continuing education. $250.
- Bare Necessities is a project that provides free hygiene products to low-income residents of Spokane. In addition to the food from the Northwest Ecumenical Food Bank, the hygiene products further justice for the community by providing, along with nutritional resources, products and services that improve the health of the community. Together the program offers a foundation for the neighbors to thrive and self-develop. $250.
Peace with Justice Sunday, May 31 this year, is traditionally observed on the Sunday following Pentecost which recalls the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The offering that is taken is divided between the Annual Conference and the General Board of Church and Society which administers its own grant program. Their most recent recipients are described on their website at http://umc-gbcs.org/faith-in-action/2015-peace-with-justice-grants.
Rev. Sharon L. Moe
Peace with Justice Coordinator
Pacific Northwest Annual Conference
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