Justice Ministry Committee and the Advocate for Justice Ministries
Friends,

Here’s a reminder of some upcoming events sponsored by the Justice Ministry Committee Committee (formally known as Committee on Witness to Society and the World (CWSW)). Please plan to attend as many of these events as your are able and we ask that you share this information with any persons and agencies that are interested in matters of justice.

Poor People’s Campaign Event
Friday, June 14 at 7:00-10:00 p.m.
Riverside Church will host the NYC Poor People's Campaign for a special fundraising event benefiting the NY  delegation to the Poor People's Moral Action Congress this June .
The event supports the New York State Poor People’s Campaign which is  currently raising funds to send delegates to the Poor People's Moral Action Congress in DC  where activists from more than 40 states will unite to bring the demands of poor Americans back to national attention. If you committed to donating, but haven't yet, please consider  making a donation towards scholarships to cover travel and other costs for New York State Campaign participants .

For more information about any of these events or have your congregation’s justice-related events included in future email newsletters or on the Presbytery of New York City’s Justice Ministries Facebook page, contact Mark Koenig

Closing the Rikers Island jails
The effort to close the Riker Island jail complex and replacing it with new borough-based facilities with conditions that provide a more humane approach to incarceration has reached a critical moment. A Uniform Land Use Review Procedure for the borough-based facilities is in process based on the Mayor’s proposal. The voices of clergy and members of faith communities are needed at this time. We can make a difference by submitting a written testimony that calls for the closing of the Rikers Island jails and that request changes, identified by our partners with JustLeadershipUSA, in the proposed borough-based facilities can play a key role. Contact Dave Ehlke to learn how to submit written testimony. The Presbytery of New York City voted in 2017 to support this effort.
 
Reproductive Choice
As states debate, and often severely curtail, access to reproductive choice, two Presbyterian sources have issued statements. The Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has issued a statement reminding the church of how General Assemblies have spoken on access to reproductive choice and abortion. The Advocacy Committee for Women’s Concerns (ACWC) has issued a statement about their efforts to advocate for continuation of access to safe, legal abortion rights nationwide.

The Matthew 25 Initiative
The Rev. Dr. Diane Moffett, Executive Director of the Presbyterian Mission Agency, will visit the Presbytery of New York City to talk about the new Matthew 25 Initiative . There will be events on the afternoon of Friday, July 26 at the Interchurch Center at 475 Riverside Drive and on the morning of Saturday, July 27 at First Presbyterian Church, Manhattan. Watch for more details.
 
Pride Events at First Presbyterian Church, NYC
First Presbyterian Church in the City of New York announces two events that will take place during Pride Month. A cocktail party on Thursday, June 27 from 6-8:30 p.m. will feature live music, light food and drinks, and a video that looks at FPC’s history around LGBTQ issues. The church will host the Water Table on Pride Sunday, June 30 from 12:30-8:30 p.m. where we hand out water to those in the Pride March. Learn more and sign up for the Pride Cocktail Party on Thursday, June 27 and for the Water Table on Sunday, June 30.

Feast of Mary Magdalene
A Lecture, Liturgy, Procession & Party in support of Benincasa Community ,
Sponsored by Fordham University, Department of Theology
Sat, July 13, 2019
10:30 AM – 4:00 PM 
Fordham Lincoln Center & Benincasa Community
113 W 60th St., 12th Floor
An old-school feast that keeps us moving forward ...
We'll uncover the powerful truth about Mary Magdalene,
learn how to reclaim her story,
enjoy a women-led liturgical experience,
and share some joy in the streets!
All are welcome! No one will be turned away!
Presbyterians involved in the Benincasa Community share this ecumenical opportunity.

For more information about any of these events or have your congregation’s justice-related events included in future email newsletters or on the Presbytery of New York City’s Justice Ministries Facebook page, contact Mark Koenig