Advocacy in Action

Welcome

Coral Gables Congregational Church is a community that encourages and promotes volunteerism, activism, and dialog for people responding to the Old Testament prophet Micah’s call to “Do justice, love kindness, and to walk humbly with God.” Whether the cause is global warming or Fair Trade; homelessness or peace; Just Wage or hunger, the members of CGCC have a long tradition of Peace and Justice work in the community and throughout the world.

Sacred Conversation on Race

The United Church of Christ has invited congregations to join in a Sacred Conversation on race. “Sacred conversations are never easy,” the invitation says, “especially when honest talk confronts our nation’s painful past and speaks directly to the injustices of the present day. Yet sacred conversations can, and often do, honor the value of diverse life experiences, requiring an openness to hear each other’s viewpoints.

On Sunday, June 1, Coral Gables Congregational UCC and the Church of the Open Door UCC, a primarily African-American congregation began such a conversation together. Our next step was to gather as a church family on Thursday evening, June 26, at 7:00 p.m. in Moye Chapel to view the video, What Makes Me White?, a startling new film about the role of race in people’s daily lives. We are so blessed here at CGCC with a richly diverse congregation and it is important that we spend some time together to talk among ourselves about the issues of race. In following months we will join back together with our brothers and sisters from the Church of the Open Door to continue our Sacred Conversation with them. If you have any questions; please contact CGCC Senior Pastor, Laurie Hafner: laurieh@ucc-cgcc.org or 305.448.7421, x 16.

Other ways to get involved for the Greater Good

Justice and Peace Committee: This committee composed of members of the church seeks to be advocates for peace and justice in this community and throughout the world. Led by the work of the United Church of Christ, this committee proposes policy positions and actions of conscience, educates the congregation about community needs and issues related to advocacy objectives; and provides the congregation and committee members opportunities for related community service. Over the years the Justice and Peace committee has worked hard on many issues including: Accessibility for Disabled People, Civil Liberties Protections, Bread for the World, Accion USA, FTAA, Living Wage Campaign, Farm Worker Ministry, Voter Registration Drive, Independent library Movements, PACT, and the Temple Israel-Justice Peace Committee Joint Project.

Haiti: Mission Possible: The nation of Haiti has been suffering from the effects of extreme poverty for over two centuries. The people of Haiti are in need of many basic services that are taken for granted in developed countries. Because of the overwhelming needs of Haiti, a Haiti Mission Task Force has been established to partner with an organization that is actively doing humanitarian work in Haiti.

Feeding Ministry: Over the past five years members of CGCC have been serving meals to people living with AIDS at Trinity Cathedral in downtown Miami. On the second Tuesday of each month, a dedicated group of folks have been taking a meal and serving it after the Healing Service that is lead by the priest of that church. Not only is this an important ministry for people living with AIDS in the Miami area, but it also is a rewarding and renewing experience for us. The best way to celebrate this anniversary is by getting you to volunteer and help us continue this outreach ministry. If you are interested, please e-mail Elena Campagna at ecampagna@dadeschools.net.

Neighborhood Housing Services: Coral Gables Congregational Church UCC has recently made an unsecured loan to Neighborhood Housing Services (NHS), an organization committed to promoting neighborhood revitalization and affordable housing for low-to-moderate income residents in Miami-Dade County, for a loan of $1,000,000. A rare opportunity had arisen for them to secure 41 single-family lots for homeownership that were being liquidated immediately – 7 in North Miami, 7 in Florida City, and 27 in Brownsville. NHS used the $1,000,000 loan to acquire these 41 lots and pay for pre-development and infrastructure costs.

In his request to the Church Council, Arden Shank, the Executive Director and President of NHS said, “This gives CGCC and NHS the opportunity to work together to save 41 homeownership lots from disappearing in this high cost homeownership market. Together we can be a catalyst in making homeownership possible for 41 families.”

The church has taken on this project not just financially but also through the time and talent of its members. Church members with expertise in such areas as insurance, banking, and home repairs are helping to educate and train these first time homebuyers and homeowners. Also church members have helped to paint, landscape, and make final preparations for the families to move into their new homes.

Community Relations and Grants Committee: The Grants Committee is organized to provide grants on behalf of Coral Gables Congregational Church to local non-profit organizations seeking funding for direct impact services. Grants have been given to such worthwhile organizations as: New Life Family Center; Counseling Ministry of South Florida; Women’s Emergency Network; YES; and the Community Coalition for a Living Wage.
Click here for Grant Guidelines and Application.

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Miami: Our on-going commitment to Habitat for Humanity which helps provide homes for low-income families in Miami, includes not only financial support but the work of our hands. We participate in their yearly Hearts and Hands Blitz Build.

Bread for the World: The members of CGCC support Bread for the World, an advocacy organization that continuously urges our nation’s leaders to support time-tested, cost-effective measures to reduce hunger—by increasing poverty-focused development assistance for poor countries and by expanding and improving nutrition programs here in the United States. What makes the difference between millions of hungry people and a world where all are fed? Only a change in priorities and the will to end hunger. Want to learn more? Join the Bread for the World Group at CGCC now. Contact Louise Driscoll for more information at 305-302-8548 or louise@miami.edu.

Global Warming We continue to learn more about the realities of global warming, and all of the influences that we have on this issue. CGCC has been hosting a group that goes by the name of “Global Warning”, which meets periodically to share information about what the scientists say, what the government does not say, and our choices for the future. Included in our meetings have been the video documentaries: “Who Killed The Electric Car”, “Too Hot Not To Handle”, and “Eating”. We have also had presentations about Alternative Fuels as well as How To Reduce Our Ecological Footprint. Join us as we learn more about how this topic affects all of our lives. You can contact Noel Cleland at 305-788-1279 or you can join the on-line group set up to address these concerns. Go to Google Groups (http://groups.google.com/) and type in “Global Warning” to view the latest information and add your name to the group if you so desire.

One Great Hour of Sharing: is the relief, refugee and development fund of the United Church of Christ. Through our gifts to One Great Hour of Sharing, United Church of Christ members reach out in the name of Christ to:

Build sustainable communities. OGHS supports self-help programs in more than 80 nations to build sustainable communities that enable people and communities to stand against and rise above hunger, disease, illiteracy, and other forces of injustice that deny and destroy dignity.

Respond to disaster. OGHS provides emergency and long-term assistance to people in the aftermath of hurricanes, tornados, storms, floods, tidal waves, fires, explosions, technological disasters, civil strife, war, or other natural or human-caused events. On average, OGHS responds to a disaster once every 2.5 days.

Minister to refugees. OGHS responds with advocacy and help, hope and hospitality for people who have been uprooted from their home of origin. More than 30 million of the world’s people are uprooted at any given time.

Neighbors in Need: How do we, as a giving and generous congregation, help lift their spirits and wrap them in warm compassion? Neighbors in Need, a Special Mission Offering of the United Church of Christ, provides one way. This offering expresses a common commitment to justice, peace, education, and compassion. On World Communion Sunday you can help to promote economic development lifting the burden of poverty, foster human rights, promote racial and economic justice for those who are oppressed, and deliver hope for those lacking education. The needs are great, but so are the possibilities for change and for hope. One-third of the offering supports the work of the Council for American Indian Ministry.

Project Peru: Project Peru is a new mission of the church to provide wholeness and hope to the people living in the sacred Inca Valley at Coya, Peru. In partnership with the Kasuay Wasi clinic, the church is organizing and financing a medical team from Miami along with a small group of church members. It is a new endeavor, but one full of all kinds of wonderful possibilities.

Make a difference

To find out more about the ways to get involved in making a difference, Call the church office at 305.448.7421.

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