ABOUT
Are you dismayed by the multitude of issues our nation faces today?
Fed up with watching the news? Are you discouraged by the state of partisan politics in our country – in the business world, in our schools and even our churches? Want to stand up for justice for all people and have your voice heard – but don’t know how?
You are not alone! Come join the ASLC Justice Ministry!
We are one of many ecumenical and interfaith congregations aligned with F.A.I.T.H. (Fighting Against Injustice Toward Harmony). F.A.I.T.H. is a 501c3 organization comprised of about 30 congregations in Volusia County. Though F.A.I.T.H. congregations differ in their racial makeup, socio-economic status and theology, they stand united in their commitment to fulfill God’s call to “do Justice”. Unlike direct service agencies or “mercy ministries”, F.A.I.T.H. does not work to help individuals with immediate needs. Rather, F.A.I.T.H. is a direct action organization made up of “Justice ministries” that work together to address the root cause of community problems by using the power of organized people to hold public leaders accountable for fair and just policy.
Coming Up Next…
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Celebration Banquet
The annual justice cycle include four processes & events…
| LISTENING Every Fall, F.A.I.T.H. coordinates a listening campaign that involves hundreds of individual small group meetings across the Volusia County, usually in church member’s living rooms. In these meetings, members of the community hold intimate dialogues about injustices they and their neighbors are facing in the community. These injustices are surfaced at the F.AI.T.H.’s annual Community Problems Assembly where members of the congregations reconvene and collectively vote on which issue(s) of injustice the organization should address next, i.e. affordable housing, flooding, mental illness and criminal justice, etc. | RESEARCH After a particular issue is selected, members of F.A.I.T.H. form a committee made up representatives from each congregation. The committees begin to research the selected problem area by meeting with experts in the field. Over the next few months the committee works to identify a winnable solution that would bring about meaningful changes to those experiencing the injustice. The committee must also determine a person (or persons) in power who possesses the authority to correct the injustice, i.e., Mayor, County Council, CEO, School Board, etc. The conclusions of the research are presented to F.A.I.T.H.’s congregations at the organization’s annual Rally. |
| ACTION During the action process, committee members attempt to meet with those individuals in power that the group has identified, brief them on the research and express F.A.I.T.H.’s desire that the leader(s) create a decided-upon policy change. The group then invites the leader(s) to the annual Nehemiah Action Assembly. At this Assembly, FAITH congregations work to gather their entire membership in order to pack the meeting with thousands of community members. There, in front of their constituents, these public officials are asked to commit to enacting the decided-upon policy changes. | CELEBRATION After the commitments are secured at the Nehemiah Assembly, F.A.I.T.H. holds a celebration banquet to commemorate the year’s achievements. At the Celebration Banquet F.A.I.T.H. members are invited to invest in the work of their organization. Members also go out into the community to tell the organization’s story and build partnerships of mutual respect. |
F.A.I.T.H. is only one among a national network of 19 affiliated grassroots, nonprofit, congregation-based community organizations from across the country that work with D.A.R.T., the Direct Action and Research Training Center. D.A.R.T. brings people together across racial, religious and socioeconomic lines to pursue justice in their communities. Since 1982, D.A.R.T. has trained over 10,000 community leaders and 150 professional community organizers, who together have won victories on a broad set of justice issues.
To learn more about D.A.R.T., visit their website at http://thedartcenter.org
Annual Calendar
| ASLC Justice Ministry Summer Network Gathering | TBD | ASLC Fellowship Hall |
| House Meetings | TBD | Varies |
| ASLC Justice Ministry Fall Network Gathering | TBD | ASLC Fellowship Hall |
| Community Problems Assembly | October 2023 | |
| ASLC Justice Ministry Winter Network Gathering | TBD | ASLC Fellowship Hall |
| Rally | ||
| Nehemiah Action | ||
| ASLC Justice Ministry Spring Network Gathering | May 7th, 2023 11:45 am | ASLC Fellowship Hall |
| Celebration Banquet | June 5th, 2023 6:30 pm | Our Lady of Hope Catholic Church 4675 S. Clyde Morris Blvd, Port Orange |
Justice Ministry Leadership
Pastor Kari
doulakari@gmail.com
Carol Sullivan
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