Call to Action Kit: Everything You Need to Help Your Parish Take Action
An invitation to join our bishops in support of the world's poorest people
March 18, 2011
The Diocese of Atlanta is urging Episcopalians in Georgia to write and call our senators regarding proposed cuts to the International Affairs Budget. Such cuts will drastically impede progress toward meeting the Millennium Development Goals, a major mission priority of The Episcopal Church and this diocese.
Action for diocesan clergy to take:
Copy of Bishop's Letter, signed by both Bishop Alexander and Bishop Whitmore (added 3/25)
Bishops' Letter for Clergy Co-signatures
Web album of photos on Advocacy Letter signing (added 3/25)
Actions for anyone in parishes, campus ministries, and friends:
Here are links to background information and instructions for how to join in this effort:
Call to Action: What and Why -- Read this first
How to make a call
Phone call log (Excel file)
Tally sheet for phone calls made (Excel file)
Tally sheet for phone calls made (pdf format)
How to write a letter
Tally sheet for letters written
Letterhead for writing Sen. Chambliss
Letterhead for writing Sen. Isakson
I Used My Voice stickers template (print on standard ML 3000 labels)
Letter from Our Bishops to Sen. Chambliss for display
Additional Resources:
One-percent Big Rewards flier
Budget axe's blow to Africa - AJC editorial
Progress against AIDS Falters - Christianity Today article
For assistance or more information, contact the Rev. Debbie Shew, canon for community ministries, dshew@episcopalatlanta.org
Task force calls for advocacy action on domestic violence
Feb. 22, 2011
The Diocese of Atlanta Task Force on Domestic Violence wants to alert members of the diocese that the proposed Georgia state budget for fiscal year 2012 has removed all funding for domestic violence programs and sexual assault centers.
This is a time when tough budget decisions must be made, by individuals, families, parishes, government bodies, and this is never easy. “But those decisions must reflect our larger values,” says the Rev. Debbie Shew, diocesan canon for community ministries.
The task force believes this is both poor policy and a terrible message to send; if Georgia has no state funding provided for these needs, it sends a message to victims and perpetrators both. Supporters of the cuts say that federal Temporary Aid to Needy Families (TANF) monies will be used instead, but it is not clear that those funds can be used for such purposes and, in any case, that funding is not stable. Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal apparently has realized that TANF funds cannot be used for sexual assault centers, at least, so he has restored those funds for fiscal year 2011. He should do the same in the proposed FY2012 budget.)
“There’s a simple, effective way people in our parishes can help,” says the Rev. Pat Merchant, member of the task force, and longtime domestic violence advocate.
Here’s how:
• Call or e-mail your state senator and your state representative. (To find out who yours are and how to contact them, go to Project Vote Smart at http://www.votesmart.org and click on “Georgia.”)
• Ask your legislators not to zero out state funding for domestic violence and sexual assault centers. (Once a budget line is removed completely, it’s harder to get that funding restored in the future.)
• Ask your legislators to replace state funding and use the TANF funds elsewhere in the state budget.
“It will take less than five minutes,” says Shew, “and people will be exercising their right/responsibility as a citizen – and they may very well impact or even save the life of someone near them in the pews. We don’t like to think about it, but we know that domestic violence and sexual assaults happen in every one of our communities.”
Please prayerfully consider taking action. Just a few calls and emails, especially if coming from varied places around the state, can truly make a difference.
For more information about this topic, contact Pat Merchant, PATMRCHNT@aol.com
| 
| 
Share
