Conference Board of Church and Society Annual Report 1999-2000

During the 1999-2000 year, the WI Conference Board of Church and Society has been involved in and supported the following:

Alternatives to Violence Education

A strong and concentrated effort has been made by our board to provide materials (books, curriculum, etc) for educating our local churches about peace and alternatives to violence. We have worked with the economical partnership for peace and Justice, and families against a violent environment, using their Christian and public school "Peace Kits," and the Family Pledge of NonViolence. We have made the kits available to each district in our conferenceas well as any local churches wanting to work on these issues.

Letters and publicity in support of the Hate Crimes Prevention Act , especially in response to specific acts of violence last summer.

(The above two items were jointly addressed by our board and the Commission on Religion and Race.)

Bosnian Refugees and coordination of local churches in helping to resettle families.

"Turning A new Leaf" Peace Conference sponsored by the Wisconsin Council of Churches.

The ACLU lawsuit in Milwaukee County focusing on problems in the child welfare system that are hurting our children.

Creation Care – a new program of our board enabling local churches to intentionally focus on environmental issues and be recognized at the Conference level for their work.

Bread For the World’s Offering of Letters – this year again a banner will be awarded to the church writing the most letters on the focus issue, Afair Share", which proposes strengthening the food stamp program and raising the minimumwage. Last year’s Jubilee banner was awarded to Albright United Methodist Church.

Continued support of IMPACT and participation in legislative briefing events as well as testimonry and letter writing to both state and federal legislators.

Our Board continues to support "the least of these.." and work for justice and equality for our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters, ethnic minorities, children, victims of abuse, refugess, and all of those marginalized by our churches and in our culture.