Church in Action
The time spent in Washington D.C will remain an amazing experience that I will share with people in my lifetime, because of the knowledge I have gathered so far. The church has played a major role in shaping the government, but mostly in the ninth century, where we saw several places like England, the head of the church was King. With the history of persecution, I am a strong supporter of the separation of church and state, but while living in Washington D.C. I have realized that church can be separated from the state but still making a huge influence on the government sector. The church has influenced the government on decision making and mostly being involved in advocating for the vulnerable when the government is falling with its healthcare proposal and finally when it comes to fighting against injustice.
I have seen a lot in past few weeks on how the church can get involved in advocating for the people when we see that the government chooses to mess around with justice. The early days of the current administration, the president signed executive order named travel ban. The travel ban was basically targeted on seven dominant Muslim countries, I saw church standing up for those affected by the executive order and to tell the administration that they are wrong. Reverends and people from different religion have spoken on this matter hosting rallies after another, and one country was dropped and remained six countries. The soon when the supreme court released the temporary decision on the executive order, we saw an immediate response from the interfaith groups, where Rev. Noel Anderson, from the CWS, spoke at the event about how wrong was the executive order and how would affect the people living in those banned countries. Also, Rev. Sharon Stanley from the church of Christ and United Methodist was apart of that rally including myself and other United Methodist youth.
The end of June, when the Senate had the agenda on the table to vote for the new health care bill, which can make 32 million American lose their health coverage, we saw the coalition of interfaith groups organizing the 23 hours vigil which the United Methodist was a part of. Most of the United Methodist bishops and Reverends wrote letters explaining how important of the affordable care act and why it should be kept and only improved if needed but not to repeal because that would only harm the community and no good the government can get out of that. The main point of the vigil was basically to let the senators know that, not only the church was watching them while voting but also, praying for them while voting.
Finally, when it comes to fighting against the injustice and inequality, the church has played a major role in getting where we are in equal justice, I understand that we still not reached where we supposed to be, that’s why the churches including different religion and NGOs come together as a coalition and work toward the issues that matter. The United Methodist Building was actually built with the reason to fight inequality and injustice which was happening in this country. Before coming to Washington D.C. I never realize that church would have such a big influence on government.
Engoma.
GBCS Intern 2017
Church World Service
I have seen a lot in past few weeks on how the church can get involved in advocating for the people when we see that the government chooses to mess around with justice. The early days of the current administration, the president signed executive order named travel ban. The travel ban was basically targeted on seven dominant Muslim countries, I saw church standing up for those affected by the executive order and to tell the administration that they are wrong. Reverends and people from different religion have spoken on this matter hosting rallies after another, and one country was dropped and remained six countries. The soon when the supreme court released the temporary decision on the executive order, we saw an immediate response from the interfaith groups, where Rev. Noel Anderson, from the CWS, spoke at the event about how wrong was the executive order and how would affect the people living in those banned countries. Also, Rev. Sharon Stanley from the church of Christ and United Methodist was apart of that rally including myself and other United Methodist youth.
The end of June, when the Senate had the agenda on the table to vote for the new health care bill, which can make 32 million American lose their health coverage, we saw the coalition of interfaith groups organizing the 23 hours vigil which the United Methodist was a part of. Most of the United Methodist bishops and Reverends wrote letters explaining how important of the affordable care act and why it should be kept and only improved if needed but not to repeal because that would only harm the community and no good the government can get out of that. The main point of the vigil was basically to let the senators know that, not only the church was watching them while voting but also, praying for them while voting.
Finally, when it comes to fighting against the injustice and inequality, the church has played a major role in getting where we are in equal justice, I understand that we still not reached where we supposed to be, that’s why the churches including different religion and NGOs come together as a coalition and work toward the issues that matter. The United Methodist Building was actually built with the reason to fight inequality and injustice which was happening in this country. Before coming to Washington D.C. I never realize that church would have such a big influence on government.
Engoma.
GBCS Intern 2017
Church World Service
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