Between now and October 16th you can join in an initiative lead by Jubilee USA

Today, millions of men, women and children around the world are literally starving for debt cancellation. See the truth about debt here.

The 2007 Jubilee Act (HR 2634) would provide expanded debt cancellation for many countries that were not included in the 2005 G8 agreement and need debt cancellation to address extreme poverty.

Moving the Jubilee Act through Congress is the central goal of this fall’s Cancel Debt Fast, a rolling 40-day fast for debt cancellation that will take place from September 6 to October 15, 2007.

The Jubilee Act has been reintroduced, but we can’t get it passed without you!

Show your support of the Jubilee Act (HR 2634) by choosing one day to fast. Fast from food or television or cell phone or whatever is meaningful to you, then visit your congressman’s district office and let him know you have fasted in support of the Jubilee Act and ask for his support of the Act as it passes through congress.

Let us know what day you will fast by emailing info@christiansendingpoverty.org Get full information, support and instructions here

“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly;defend the rights of the poor and needy.”Proverbs 31:8,9.

On October 16th and 17th , millions all over the world will once again Stand Up and Speak Out against poverty and inequality and in support of the Millennium Development Goals. The Stand Up Speak Out initiative is planned to coincide with the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. On this day last year, 23.5 million people stood up against poverty in a 24 hour period setting a new Guinness World Record.

This year the Global Call to Action Against Poverty and the United Nations Millennium Campaign plan to mobilize people all over the world to break this record, urging millions more to join this growing global movement. They will demand that their governments keep their promises to achieve the Millennium Goals to end extreme poverty by 2015.

Stand Up and Speak Out is the growing movement of people no longer prepared to stay seated or silent in the face of poverty and inequality. Last year we Stood UP at Crossroads Church and Trinity Episcopal Church on a Sunday. This year we will StandUp at the corner of Valley Parkway and Broadway in Escondido, outside City Hall. Be there with us on Tuesday October 16th at 5:30 pm and bring everyone you know.

Stand Up is a simple, effective and quick way for you to raise awareness about the need to act to end poverty. You will stand, be counted for the Guiness Book of Records attempt, and listen to a short declaration.

To see the video click here

“For the first time since record keeping began in 1960, the number of deaths of young children around the world has fallen below 10 million a year, according to figures from the United Nations Children’s Fund being released today.” Under-5 Mortality Drops to Record Low “The new figure, based on surveys in more than 50 countries, represents a substantial decrease from the 20 million deaths in 1960, especially considering that the world’s population has more than doubled to 6.6 billion people since then.” Child mortality at record low, UN says “The drop has been attributed to increased vaccinations, greater use of mosquito nets and vitamin supplements and more women breastfeeding rather than mixing formula with dirty water.”

This is a good indication that the global efforts to impact poverty can make a difference. Each one of us can contribute to the fight to overcome poverty. We hope you will feel heartened by this news, and encouraged to continue to be or become involved in the effort to prevent youngsters from dying from poverty.If you would like ideas on how to get involved please click here.

Developing Hearts that Yearn for Justice 2008

Gather with 150 other clergy and lay people concerned with social and global justice to be refreshed, renewed, recommitted and reconnected! Speakers include; Rev. Dr. James Forbes, Brian D. McLaren , Fr. Richard Rohr, Bishop Samuel Ruiz, Elsa Tamez, and Matthew Fox . I don’t know where you could find a group of speakers like this in one place and it’s practically on our doorstep! The conference begins this side of the border at University of San Diego, and then continues in Tijuana at Casa de Migrante.
The theme of the conference, “Be Not Afraid,” is intended to recognize the reality of fear that many immigrants face in their difficult journeys, and the reality of the growing atmosphere of fear in the United States confronting us through the symptom/lens of immigration.

Click here for more information and to register.

The date of the Alternative Gift Market has been changed to Saturday November 17th. The venue is San Marcos Community Center, San Marcos. Please mark your calendars and plan on being there. This year’s event will be much bigger than last year, with music, perhaps food, as well as a diverse range of items to choose from. Several area churches are promoting and sponsoring the event and we are excited to be able to showcase the work of so many global artisans, and benefit directly those struggling to overcome poverty around the world. It’s fun and worthwhile event so please make sure you’re there, and bring your friends and family.

Last year one extended family came as a group and had a blast choosing gifts for each other. Make it a tradition in your family!

See you there.

Take the HourChallenge!

CEP member Cory Verner has launched a really useful, interesting and informative web site.

Back in June Cory made a commitment to intentionally spend at least an hour a day working to end poverty. This is a log of how he spends his hour, and a collation of moving and informative videos, articles, books etc. Here’s how Cory introduces his HourChallenge site:

“The more I learn about the injustices that cause global poverty, the more I am convinced that I must act. And so, this blog is a personal manifesto of sorts and part of my small effort to do something to help in this fight.”

Now, here’s the challenge. We urge YOU to commit to spending an hour a day, an hour a week or even just an hour a month fighting to end poverty. Blog Cory and share your hopes, successes and frustrations. You can get ideas about what to do here. But basically it comes down to this; Pray, Read, Learn More, Talk (to others) and Write (to those who have the power to implement systemic change) and now you can even Run or Bike to raise awareness and funds! Take the HourChallenge!