Emmanuel Lutheran Church - Vienna, Virginia (Advocacy at Emmanuel

Micah Team: Advocacy at Emmanuel

The Micah Team at Emmanuel takes its statement of purpose from the ELCA's "The Church in Society" social statement: "This church shall work with and on behalf of the poor, the powerless, and those who suffer, using its power and influence with political and economic decision-making bodies to develop and advocate policies that seek to advance justice, peace, and the care of creation." For the complete statement of purpose, click here.

For more information on the Micah Team, send an email to advocacy@elcvienna.org.

August 2007 Micah Memo:

The international “ONE Campaign” will be the Emmanuel Micah Team's focus for several months. This campaign is an effort to rally Americans, ONE by ONE, to the cause of ending poverty in the world. You can join the campaign by becoming a “One Lutheran.” “ONE Lutheran” is the ELCA-specific effort to promote the ONE Campaign. Martin Luther taught us the power of ONE and the meaning of social justice. ONE Lutherans acting together can bring real power to this social justice movement. Visit the ELCA's ONE Lutheran website for more information and to sign your name.

The ONE Campaign can be accomplished by encouraging our government to meet the Millennium Development Goals (MGDs) developed by the United Nations and supported by participating nations and the ELCA. The Millennium Development Goals are attainable! Current progress has been made with a tiny portion of our economic strength. We have the tools to end extreme hunger and poverty - all we need is the political will to act. The ELCA has endorsed the Millennium Development Goals and the ONE Campaign and encourage your support. We’re asking all Lutherans to join the movement to end poverty. Visit the UN's Millennium Goals website for more detailed information and a complete list of the goals. The Micah Team will highlight one goal each month. The goal for this month is:

The goal for this month is:

COMBAT HIV/AIDS, MALARIA, AND OTHER DISEASES

The Goal:

Halt and begin to reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS and halt and begin to reverse the incidence of malaria and other major diseases.

THE PROBLEM:

More than 8,000 people die each day from AIDS-related conditions and an estimated 13,000 become newly infected with HIV every day.
Approximately 15 million children in the world have lost one or both parents to AIDS.
In the past year, there were almost a million new cases o HIV/AIDS in South and East Asia.
Malaria causes mor than 300 million acute illnesses and at least one million deaths annually.
An estimated two million deaths result from tuberculosis annually.

Opportunities in Advocacy:

"Thank You!" from the Micah Team. Thank you to those members who took the time to write our congressional leaders regarding the upcoming Farm Bill. We received 30 letters (each, in real terms, represents the power of 100 voters!) with several other members sending letters out on their own. We will have a major letter writing campaign this fall when specifics of the new Farm Bill are introduced. The Micah Team is hoping that more Emmanuel members will take this opportunity to lend their voices to speak out for hungry people in America and around the world. Need more information? Contact a member of the Micah Team by email at advocacy@elcvienna.org.

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THE PROGRESS:

We have the tools to control and stop these diseases. We have the necessary drugs for adults, but not yet for children. We need the political will to fight disease worldwide!

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

Become informed. Visit the ELCA's One Campaign website at http://www.elcvienna.org/advocacy/one.
Poor countries are losing teachers, doctors, nurses, workers, and families to these diseases. Be an advocate for those less fortunate. The One Campaign website has suggestions for you!