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From a small office one block from the Pennsylvania capitol, one of only two United Methodist advocacy groups in the nation works faithfully to help state legislators to see their work through the lens of our Social Principles.
Housed at the Grace UMC on State Street, A United Methodist
Witness in Pennsylvania, tracks legislation and informs United
Methodists throughout the commonwealth on how pending bills either advance or impede the Social Principles of the church.
The formation of “Witness” began in 1982 at the suggestion of the
bishops of the four annual conferences in the commonwealth – Central, Eastern, Western PA, and Wyoming. Organized as a non-profit corporation (under IRS rule 501(c)(4)), Witness is governed by a board of directors that includes the four bishops, and other lay and clergy persons elected and appointed by their respective conferences.
Witness for the last twenty four years has been in the forefront of
informing our representatives of our church’s beliefs on the issues. In 2005 Witness took the lead in opposing the death penalty and the extension of gambling; as well as advocating for property tax and educational reforms. In 2006 Witness has two resolutions before the Central Pennsylvania Annual Conference; one in support of Lobbying Reform and a second in support of raising the minimum wage. We continue to speak wherever and whenever we can about issues of concern to us as United Methodists.
At the initiative of the four bishops, Witness receives most of its
operating funds directly from each of the annual conferences. In addition, Witness receives financial support from lay and clergy people throughout the state who pay a minimal annual membership fee and receive news and occasional legislative “action alerts” about specific bills that relate to the Social Principles. Members may then contact their own legislators urging either support or opposition as the case may warrant.
Please stop by the Witness table at Annual Conference for more
information about the work of Witness, information on your legislature and find out how you can become A United Methodist Witness in Pennsylvania. |
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