Principles for Social Justice

Dear St. Paul’s family,

At its January meeting, Chapter adopted the following Principles for Social Justice, proposed and crafted by our Peace and Justice Committee. These now form part of a foundation of essential values, along with the Baptismal Covenant, that underly our decision-making as a community. I hope you will adopt them for your personal use too.

As a community of Christian faith, we offer this statement to articulate our position on important issues of social justice. Byinforming others and reminding ourselves what Jesus calls us to do, we hope, with God's help, to better our world. We promise:

• to seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving our neighbors as ourselves.
• to strive for justice and peace among all people.
• to respect the dignity of every human being.

In elaboration of, and toward our fulfillment of, these promises:

1. We believe that every human being on our planet is our neighbor whom we are called to love.
2. We believe that every human being is entitled to the basic essentials of food, clothing, shelter, health care, education and equal justice; and we strive to make that a reality in our world.
3. We believe that truth is morally central to our personal and public lives.
4. We stand against oppression based on race, color, creed, ethnic origin, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, age, or difference.
5. We call for a moral revival of the deepest spiritual values in the tradition of our society.
6. We call for our society to step forward in supporting the marginalized and rehabilitating those who have fallen.
7. We call for the stranger to be treated with welcome while in our land.
8. We call for a reversal of the forces that are accelerating economic inequality and environmental degradation.
9. We call for the leaders at all levels of our society to learn once again to work together, particularly toward equal opportunity and equal justice for all.
10. We call for all people to realize that together we are part of the world-wide community that shares and cares for this planet, our island home. 

Blessed are the poor in spirit; the kingdom of Heaven is theirs. Blessed are the sorrowful; they shall find consolation. Blessed are the gentle; they shall have the earth for their possession. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst to see right prevail; they shall be satisfied. Blessed are those who show mercy; mercy shall be shown to them. Blessed are those whose hearts are pure; they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers; they shall be called God's children. Blessed are those who are persecuted in the cause of right; the kingdom of Heaven is theirs.

Sources: The Reclaiming Jesus Declaration, http://reclaimingjesus.org;The Poor People's Campaign, http://www.poorpeoplescampaign.org/fundamental-principles/; The Gospel According to Matthew (Revised English Bible);
The Book of Common Prayer, 1979

Your sister in Christ,

Penny