February Newsletter

It's Just Love. February 2010

Dear NY Faith & Justice Friends and Family, We sat in my office; pens making mad-dashes across paper pads, scribble blanketing the white board. All the major events, programs, and initiatives of the 2009-2010 program year were laid out before us. "What is the story our program year tells?" I asked. "What's the through-line?" "F.R.E.S.H. Supermarket Campaign / NYC Food and Climate Justice Summit / Conversations for Change between the Police and the Community in the South Bronx / Immigration Reform Campaign / Jim Wallis Book Launch "Rediscovering Values" / Faith Community "Grow More Food" Initiative / House Gatherings / Remembering Haiti Teach-In, Pray-In, Act-Out / etc." The NYFJ leaders' eyes scanned the board. They searched for the common thread that wove everything together: "It's all pretty basic." "Basic needs." "Making things right." "Collaboration and partnership." "Justice." "Love." "Just Love!" We stopped - jaws dropped. That's it. Every event, every program, every initiative is one more step on a journey toward a more just city -- and, at its heart, justice is really all about love...the love of God, love for God, and the love for neighbor. I scribbled above it all: "Just Love" We went deeper... Why work to increase access to healthy food for people living in "food deserts"? Why care about increasing safety, security, and (by extension) job access in blighted communities? Why press for the protection of the basic human dignity of immigrants made in the image of God and the integrity of their families? Why even consider switching banks to invest in the value for just lending practices, just executive pay, or just distribution of economic risk? Answer: Because we just love... Who are our biblical models -- ones who demonstrate a just kind of love? We ticked off a quick short list... Moses | Micah | Jeremiah | Joseph | Esther | Ruth | Isaiah | Amos | Samuel | Mary | Zacchaeus | Luke | The Good Samaritan | Paul | Peter | James | Jesus What compelled each of these fore-bearers of the faith to look injustice in the face and say, "No."? Answer: It was just love. Join us on the journey...a journey toward justice...fueled by love. Scroll down or click these links for practical ways you can practice just love this month! South Bronx Conversations for Change House Gatherings Faith Leaders for Environmental Justice Breakfast Interfaith Prayer Vigil for Humane Immigration Reform Remembering Haiti: Teach-In | Pray-In | Act-Out Thank you for your continued prayers and support. And don't forget to follow us on twitter, facebook, the nyfj blog or the nyfj calendar for up to the minute action alerts, program changes, and details. In Solidarity! Lisa Sharon Harper Co-founder and Executive Director New York Faith & Justice