More IMPACT coverage

Here's something I should have posted a while back. Will Peyton, Associate Rector at St. Paul's Ivy, appeared in a segment on CBS 19 News last week. He did a great job explaining how IMPACT's work transcends faith barriers and finds a common goal in furthering the cause of justice.

Jay James on Faith: Religious Diversity

Will emphasizes how IMPACT's efforts foster constructive interfaith dialogue. By concentrating on shared aims, we make progress while deepening a sense of community.

Spanish-language coverage for IMPACT

IMPACT recently received a nice write-up in Nuevas Raices, a regional Spanish-language newspaper:

Hispanos involucrados en IMPACT

and here's a passable machine translation,


It's great that IMPACT is getting more exposure in all the populations in our community. The issues which we've taken on in the past number of years affect ALL of us, regardless of our mother language. This is a great step towards bringing us together in our call for justice.

Post-MLK Day Thought

I came across this Martin Luther King, Jr. quote the other day. In light of the holiday and the tragedy in Haiti, I thought it particularly moving:

Philanthropy is commendable, but it must not cause the philanthropist to overlook the circumstances of economic injustice which make philanthropy necessary.
- Martin Luther King Jr.

Those suffering from chronic economic injustice are far more vulnerable when disaster strikes. It's important to keep in mind the root causes as we treat the symptoms.

Help for the disaster in Haiti

The devastating news from Haiti continues to pour in. Let our prayers include careful consideration of what we can do to help. There are many organizations working to provide aid. Once you have determined how much you can give, if you need help deciding where to give, here is a good resource at Charity Navigator:
Help Survivors of the Earthquake in Haiti

Particularly for those of us located far from the epicenter of the disaster, but who feel greatly the pain and suffering of our brothers and sisters in Haiti, remember the words of George Henry Lewes: "The only cure for grief is action."

Happy New Year!

We western Christians have just finished our Christmas season (the twelve days of Christmas). This quote helps me transition from the chaos of the holidays back into the demands of the every-day:

When the song of the angels is stilled, when the star in the sky is gone, when the kings and princes are home, when the shepherds are back with their flock, the work of Christmas begins: to find the lost, to heal the broken, to feed the hungry, to release the prisoner, to rebuild the nations, to bring peace ... to make music in the heart.

- Howard Thurman, American author, civil rights leader, and theologian (1899-1981)

I'm glad and excited to begin the work of Christmas. I'm also glad and excited about the work that's already in process with the IMPACT research committees. I'm grateful for the many hours they've already spent on the issues of early childhood education and interpretive services. I'm confident that we will make real progress this year, thanks to the work of the committee members and all who support IMPACT's efforts.

May our eyes and ears be open to the truth, may our hearts be open to God's will, and may we all have the strength and courage to work for justice and peace in 2010.