Social Justice
The General Board of Church and Society (GBCS) is one of four international general program boards of The United Methodist Church. The purpose of this board is to relate the gospel of Jesus Christ to the members of the Church and to the persons and structures of the communities and world in which they live. It seeks to bring the whole of human life, activities, possessions, use of resources, and community and world relationships into conformity with the will of God. It shows the members of the Church and the society that the reconciliation that God effected through Christ involves personal, social, and civic righteousness.
The Social Principles of The United Methodist Church
The Social Creed of The United Methodist Church
The primary focus areas of this committee at St. Paul's currently are
- Education. The Social Principles of The United Methodist church state, in part: "We believe that every person has the right to education. We also believe that the responsibiltiy for education of the young rests with the family, faith communities, and the government. In society, this function can best be fulfilled through public policies that ensure access for all persons to free public elementary and secondary schools and to post-secondary schools of their choice." In February-March 2011, St. Paul’s Social Justice Committee joined with the Bishops of the United Methodist Church in Texas in opposing the “proposed severe cuts in state funding to our public schools as well as higher education tuition grants and scholarships.”
- Environmental. The Environmental Committee functions on a variety of fronts, ranging from recycling household batteries to sponsoring Earth Day or Recycling Week events, and spearheading the church's move to fair trade organic coffee. St. Paul's also is a delivery location for sustainably grown fresh produce from Wood Duck Farms, and the recent expansion and renovation of the Jones Building was constructed to meet LEED standards. To be involved with the Environmental future of St. Paul's, contact Environmental chair Josh Vanlandingham.
- Health Care. Access to quality health care continues to be an issue throughout the United States. In 2009, St. Paul's hosted an interfaith conference on health reform. In 2010 St. Paul's hosted a health care access forum, and the issue was addressed by this statement by our bishop. St. Paul's members also assist with the annual Health Fair for the Homeless.
- Immigration. Several events in 2010 were conducted to explore immigration issues. These ranged from an Interfaith Conference on Immigration Reform meeting at St. Paul's in January to a bi-lingual Advent Bible Study, "A Family in a Foreign Land,"
- Interfaith Relations. St. Paul's senior minister, Dr. L. James (Jim) Bankston, is the immediate past president of the board of Interfaith Ministries of Greater Houston. St. Paul's also often hosts speakers of other faiths and the interfaith community, and members often participate in interfaith opportunities, including Amazing Faiths Dinner Dialogues. To be involved, contact Interfaith liaison Nancy Jarmin.
For more information about how to get involved with Social Justice activities at St. Paul's, contact Kim Mabry.
Resources
Amazing Faiths Project
Boniuk Center for Religious Tolerance
Brigid's Place
Charter for Compassion
Houston-Galveston Regional Recycling Guide (In Spanish and English)
Kinder Institute of Urban Research, particularly the annual Houston Area Survey
Interfaith Ministries of Greater Houston
Rothko Chapel
Texas Impact
