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Get election year resources
We are constantly bombarded by the buzz of election. What is the faithful response to the issues and electoral politics? The Washington Office has updated the “Christian and Citizen” Booklet with the new policy statements from the 218th General Assembly (2008). Download the updated resource  or visit the Christian and Citizen page to find all of the election year goodies, including a bible study and “Do’s and Don’ts” for Churches in an Election Year.
July/August 2008
Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house? (Isaiah 58:6—7a)
Certainly, the question of hospitality for the stranger is a question for the church, but what about U.S. national policy? The question of U.S. hospitality is the concern of this Washington Report to Presbyterians. Whether the issues concern immigration and family reunification, refugee policy, or the homelessness and affordable housing crisis at home, U.S. policies have much for which to answer when it comes to hospitality.
October 6, 2008
The flurry of activity in Washington for the last two weeks has been palpable, though the mood was noticeably subdued. While members of Congress were trying to complete their business in order to adjourn for the election season, as well as figure out what they could agree to with respect to addressing the financial crisis, a stream of legislation marched across both chamber floors — everything from full government funding to naming several post offices.
According to their calendars, both House and Senate members should have headed home over a week ago, but their adjournment was delayed by the emergency legislation to rescue the tottering financial market. They have now completed a Continuing Resolution that will keep the government running until March 6, 2009, and the emergency financial “rescue” package that has so occupied news sources for two weeks. Considering their list of “must-pass” legislation that they planned to pass before adjourning before the election, the only one they did not finish is a package of targeted aid for low-income families who will be most severely affected by the economic slump.
The House has now adjourned for the year, but the Senate will return the week of November 17 for a short “lame-duck” session during which they will elect new leadership for the 111th Congress. Now that they have finished what they consider the most pressing business of the fall season, members have left Washington to head home for the campaign trail. Thirty-five Senate seats and all 435 House seats are up for election on November 4.
The Presbyterian Washington Office typically does not publish the Witness in Washington Weekly when Congress is not in session, however, during the next several weeks, there may be occasion to alert Presbyterians of events in Washington or around the country. We will do our best to keep you informed.
This week’s messages are—
- Congress Struggles with National Financial Crisis
- Congress Passes Improved Adoption Incentives Legislation
- Register Now — Ecumenical Advocacy Days — Enough For All Creation
- Psalm 5:1-3, 11-12 – Trust in God for Deliverance from Enemies
Download recent Witness in Washington
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