Board of Christian Social Action

Advocacy (acting or ‘standing up’ on behalf of another’s or one’s own interest, e. g. petitioning, legal action, lobbying.)

The Board of Christian Social Action and our committees, sub-committees and groups are all about advocacy. Our members and groups have advocated on behalf of many people and causes, including:

  • refugees and immigrants
  • anti-racist policies and practices
  • those suffering from mental illness and food and housing insecurity
  • climate change
  • survivors of human trafficking
  • criminal justice reform

 

Current BCSA Committees:

Advocacy focus: Expanding and living into our open and affirming policy in regard to LBGTQ+ folks and our resolution in support of marriage equality. Partners with community advocacy organizations including Interfaith Alliance, One Iowa, Iowa Pride Network to advance LBGTQ+ civil rights and inclusion in the broader community. Dan Warren.

 

Anti-Racism Committee (ARC) will grow in love of God and neighbor by educating ourselves and other majority communities about the history and continued presence of structural racism, to repent of our roles in those structures, and to identify ways to create a more just, equitable and peaceful community.

Creation Care and Justice Coalition will grow in love of God, neighbor, and Creation by advocating for environmental justice issues, including climate change, water and soil quality, waste, sustainable agriculture, animal welfare and protection, and refugee farming. These issues are addressed from a faith-based understanding that we are stewards of God’s Creation, called to ensure a healthful planet for generations to come, and mindful that those most vulnerable among us are the most negatively impacted by climate change and pollution. We offer educational events, worship opportunities, and promote avenues of action. Contact elbert.amylou@gmail.com.

Cuba Partnership Team advocates for the people of Cuba through our partnership with Ebenezer Baptist Church in Havana, Cuba. Advocating to lift the US blockade and travel restrictions to Cuba. Learn more here.

Human Trafficking Task Force collaborates with a wide range of grassroots service, education, and law enforcement agencies to effect change for human trafficking survivors.

Peace & Justice Committee advocates for peacemaking at the local, national and international levels. We work with Plymouth Church Committees to raise awareness of systemic injustices that cause conflict. We collaborate with local religious and secular peace seeking groups, such as the Des Moines Faith Committee for Peace, Middle East Peace Education Coalition, American Friends Service Committee, Iowans for Gun Safety, and the Iowa Poor People’s Campaign.

Plymouth Justice and Peace Action Network (P-JPAN) seeks justice through an action, education, communications and event promotion network for Plymouth members to advocate for policy changes at the local, state and national levels on a variety of peace and justice issues. To receive emails, subscribe at this link.

RENEW Family Literacy volunteers teach English and literacy to members of refugee families in an atmosphere of respect and hospitality.

Transition from Prison Ministry volunteers work with people who have been recently released from incarceration to transition into the community.

Welcoming Migrants Committee puts radical love into practice by supporting migrant and refugee individuals and families in our community, and by advocating for just immigration policy and practice at the local, state and national levels. We do this through education, advocacy and cooperative efforts within Plymouth and with community and national groups.

 

Plymouth Church, through the BSCA, supports and connects with community organizing groups:

AMOS a Mid-Iowa Organizing Strategy (AMOS), is part of the nation’s oldest and largest professional organizing network. We seek to channel individual action into a responsible and powerfully organized force for the common good. Through listening sessions and collective action, AMOS has found solutions for complex public concerns, including mental health care, housing, workforce development, voting rights, and juvenile justice reform. To learn more about the Plymouth AMOS Core team, contact Emily Chafa, emilychafa@msn.com; George Dorsey, geo_dor@outlook.com or Sheena Thomas, sheenathomas96@gmail.com.

Interfaith Alliance of Iowa is the only statewide, non-partisan, progressive voice for people of faith and no faith protecting religious freedom, safeguarding the line between religion and government, ensuring religion is not misused to discriminate, championing individual rights, and uniting diverse voices to challenge extremism.

 

To learn more about Christian Social Action at Plymouth Church, call the church office at 515.255.3149.