By The Rev. Lynne Smouse Lopez, Ainsworth United Church of Christ

I serve as the Central Pacific Conference representative to the Board of Directors of Justice and Witness Ministries (JWM) in the national setting of the United Church of Christ. At General Synod in Long Beach, we will hold our last meeting of the JWM Board as the United Church of Christ transitions to a unified board of governance. With our great JWM staff and the guidance of the unified board, the work of JWM will continue. Not only will JWM staff continue to work in the Cleveland offices, but we also have our Center for Education & Social Transformation (CEST) centers located on both the east and west coasts.

The Washington, D.C. staff works in an office across the street from the Capitol building and is instrumental in bringing crucial justice issues to members of Congress, Supreme Court and the Office of the President. Last year, I was part of the effort to demonstrate to the Supreme Court the importance of health care reform is as we rallied in support of President Obama’s Health Care Reform Act. The Washington, D.C. staff welcomes UCC members from around the nation and hosts seminary groups for a DC immersion experience for organizing and training. They advocate in the areas of global economic justice, racial justice, health care justice, to name a few, as they work to make a better world. Continue reading Justice and Witness Ministries Transitions and Opportunities