State of our Values
"Over the next several months, on issue after issue, let us do what Americans have always done, and build a better world for our children and grandchildren."
- President George W. Bush, State of the Union address, February 2, 2005
"But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you… and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare" (Jeremiah 29:7).
A friend passed this along from Caleb Seeling, who is organizing a State of the Union watch party on Tuesday, January 31 from 6 - 9 p.m. at The Master's Church at 1477 Columbine St. in Denver. I can't go. If you can and do, I'd love to hear your comments on this site.
Caleb writes:
People of faith like us will be watching to see if our values of justice and compassion will be represented. What will President Bush have to say about overcoming poverty and creating peace? We'll be discussing that and inviting local media to cover our responses.I was spurred into action by Sojourners and am using some of their words and technology, but this event is really for Denver's entire faith community. No one from Sojourners will be there. I know they have a reputation, for better or worse, of being pretty far left politically, but this event is not about promoting either left-wing or right-wing politics. It is about coming together as God's people to raise our awareness of National policy as it affects our work and to build more bridges within our diverse community to further God's work through us.
Again, my intent here is to bring together Denver's diverse faith community to have an equal-footed discussion (moderated by non-partisan leaders in Denver) about how the President's address reflects and impacts our work to love our neighbors and promote social justice. I would also greatly welcome your help in spreading the word and inviting leaders and lay people to attend. If it's helpful to know, some of the organizations I've invited include:
Southern Gables Church
Pathways Church
The Next Level Church
City Presbyterian
The Master's Bible Church (where the event will be held)
the Denver Black Church Initiative
NavPress
Richard Foster and the Renovare team
Denver Urban Ministries
Interfaith Alliance of Colorado
Focus on the Family
St. Francis Center (a day shelter for the homeless...I hope the executive director will be one of the moderators)
St. John's Episcopal Church
Church of the Immaculate ConceptionChannel 31 news (Whei Wong goes to Pathways)
Channel 9 news (word on the street is that Kim Christiansen goes to Pathways too. I hope she will be one of the moderators as well as provide coverage.)And a lot more. I think we would be missing an important part of our community if your church wasn't represented.
I hope to pack the house, which can seat 500 and has overflow capacity, but I need your help to do it. Please spread the word to your network of pastors and leaders and also please encourage your congregation to attend. It is not a time for political posturing or a pro/anti-Bush rally. My vision is for Denver's faith community to have a dialogue that leads to new and continued action.
You can sign up to attend the event here.
caleb j seeling msw mph
303.344.7207
caleb.j.seeling@kp.org