October 23, 2016

An interfaith network of 23 faith groups working for justice in Lawrence and Douglas County

The 6 team leaders of St. John Parish, Jean Drumm, Ruth Entwistle, Pat Lechtenberg, Vicki McMurray, Joe Snyder & Marilyn Page, and Carol von Tersch, have held 7 house meetings which are the ‘listening’ part of the conversation that will continue during the next few months. Between 40 and 50 parishioners participated at those meetings and approximately 30 parishioners signed up as network members.

At all liturgies this weekend of October 22 and 23 team leaders and network members will be commissioned to begin the work of justice for this third season of Justice Matters. We have all made a commitment to attend the 4 major meetings of the season on November 2, March 14, March 30 and May 1. A very important part of our commitment is to bring at least 3 informed and supportive parishioners to the Nehemiah Action Assembly on March 30 at the Lied Center. This is another opportunity for those of who are not involved as Justice Matters’ members to help with the work. Our goal is to bring 250 people from St. John Parish. We will have to double our efforts to reach that goal. If you are interested please save that date to come and show support for our brothers and sisters who are without basic human needs.

The concerns raised at the approximately 70 house meetings all over Lawrence and in the county will be compiled after October 22. That list will be narrowed by an email/mail poll of all network members. The top 2 or 3 concerns will be presented to the membership and a vote taken for the top priority. Our first major meeting, our annual Community Problems Assembly, is where that vote will be taken on November 2, 2016. Following the assembly there will be a county commissioner candidate forum which is open to the public. Doors for the public forum open at 7:30 and the forum begins at 7:45 pm. It will be held at Abe and Jake’s Landing.

For more information about Justice Matters or on how to become involved without having attended a house meeting, please contact Joe Synder (785-550-6421 or joesnyder42@gmail.com) or Pat Lechtenberg (785-842-1992 or plek10berg@aol.com). Also, check out the Justice Matters’ new website www.justicemattersinkansas.org for information about the organization and updated information on the 4 issues we are currently working on: Mental Health Crisis Center, Affordable Housing, Early Childhood Trauma and Alternatives to Incarceration.

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