November 2, 2012
WASHINGTON – Ecumenical Advocacy Days for Global Peace with Justice is pleased to announce three new sponsors to its advocacy mobilization for justice, peace and integrity of creation. Strengthening EAD’s voice and joint Biblical witness, The Christian Reformed Church, The Community of Christ, and Christian Connections for International Health join a total of fifty-four U.S. denominations, religious congregations, relief agencies and faith-based advocacy organizations as EAD national sponsors.
“It is clear that EAD’s 10 years of experience, along with the current theme, At God’s Table: Food Justice for a Healthy World, is motivating a growing interest in EAD’s advocacy efforts,” said Douglas Grace, EAD’s director. “In the wake of November elections and a challenging lame-duck Congress, now more than ever, the Christian voice of 1,000 faith advocates will be needed in the Spring of a new Congress.”
Grace added, “Some may profess that ecumenical partnerships have been on the decline, but I believe EAD’s continued expanse and commitment from Christian and related faith-based sponsors, and the number of people of faith who come to EAD each year, show that the ecumenical commitment to unity for ‘Global Peace with Justice’ is well alive and growing.”
“The Community of Christ is extremely excited and grateful to be joining such a diverse ecumenical sponsorship for EAD. We became sponsors because of the fabulous educational and advocacy work they do for justice and peace,” said Rev. Dr. Dale E. Luffman, Community of Christ Ecumenical and Interfaith Relationships Officer and Brad A. Martell, Peace and Justice Coordinator. “Community of Christ’s mission initiatives to Invite People to Christ, to Abolish Poverty and End Suffering, to Pursue Peace on Earth, to Develop Disciples to Serve, and to Experience Congregations in Mission greatly align with EAD’s goal of strengthening Christian witness and justice and peace advocacy. We are honored to be sponsoring EAD and looking forward to April 2013!”
“The Christian Reformed Church is thrilled to join the diverse and committed ecumenical community of EAD,” said Peter Vander Meulen, Coordinator of the CRC Office of Social Justice. “EAD’s commitment to justice, civic engagement, and responsible Christian citizenship make EAD a perfect partner for the CRC. We are honored to add our voice to EAD’s swelling ranks of Christians of all stripes in the on-going effort to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly.”
“Christian Connections for International Health, a global network of 200 organizations and several hundred individuals, has discovered that Ecumenical Advocacy Days is a perfect opportunity for us to partner with others in our growing commitment to being a Christian voice in global health affairs,” said Ray Martin, Executive Director. “Our mission is promoting global health and wholeness from a Christian perspective, but initially we focused on operations and program support. But we came to realize that our calling also included an effort to mobilize our members to be a Christian voice for voiceless in global health and development challenges, so it is with excitement and anticipation that we join with the wider faith community in EAD.”
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For a full list of EAD Sponsor Organizations, click here.