NRCCC Washington Week
INVITATION
2010 February 21-24
WASHINGTON, D.C. USA
Dear friends,
You are invited to come to Washington and participate in this year’s NRCCC Washington Week and National Prayer Breakfast on Creation Care, and to join in discussion at The White House on the moral and ethical issues surrounding climate change, and much more.
Come join with people of faith from across the country to address the religious principles that call us to address climate change now.
Climate change is already affecting people around the world, but it will especially plague future generations. This year’s “Washington Week” program will remind legislators that we need strong legislation now.
What is most missing in the dialogues on climate change is the voice of religion. Religion reminds government of its moral responsibility to people before private interests. Senator Barbara Boxer told our religious delegation two years ago that the most powerful voice in the Congress is the voice of religion. “But we hardly ever see you,” she said, while scolding us for showing up so seldom and in such small numbers – in comparison to the swarms of corporate lobbyists that address these issues.
It may be true that people of faith do not mobilize the numbers of advocates that corporations turn out, but we should remember the political adage that “government shows up for those who show up”.
If America is to chart a course to serve the public good before private corporate interests, we, the people, must be willing to make sacrifices of time, wealth and energy and come to Washington so that we (i.e., YOU) can tell our elected representatives the views that have been crafted by the churches and synagogues of this country on climate change and other crucial creation care issues. In this regard it is important to recall that religious groups, regardless of doctrinal differences, see climate change with virtually one mind and one policy.
For this reason, when we bring the religious message on climate policy to Washington, Catholics and Jews, Evangelicals, Orthodox and Mainline Protestants are able to address climate and forest issues with a common conclusion on policy. But we can do this only if you are willing to “show up”. Without your presence, there may not be a sufficient religious voice to communicate the policies of religious organizations that call for action to hold off the forces that are leading climate instability.
You don’t need to be an expert to speak to Congress. You need only to present the statement from your religious affiliation. That’s it. You can read it, if you choose. The important thing is that you make the sacrifice and show up.
With this in mind, I want to invite you to come to Washington and join us in advocating before our elected leaders the importance of doing everything possible to hold off global climate change and to protect our nation’s forests and creatures.
Please share this message with others who may be interested in joining us – or just learning about our emerging coalition.
Additionally, if you cannot join us, please consider a donation to help others speak on your behalf.
Yours sincerely,
Frederick Krueger
