Virginia Bishop Kammerer to address United Methodists at Ecumenical Advocacy Days

'Enough for All Creation' is theme of 7th annual lobbying event.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Bishop Charlene Kammerer of the Virginia Conference will be featured speaker at the lunch meeting Saturday, March 14, of United Methodists attending the 7th annual Ecumenical Advocacy Days.

Kammerer is a member of the Council of Bishops taskforce revising the historic 1986 document and pastoral letter, “In Defense of Creation,” that addressed the dangers of nuclear weapons. She will discuss the broader scope of the revision expected to address threats such as pandemic poverty, ecological degradation and a world awash in weapons.

The gathering of United Methodists, at which Kammerer will speak, is 12:30-2:30 p.m. at the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center Hotel, headquarters for Ecumenical Advocacy Days.

The taskforce’s work complements the theme of this year’s advocacy event: “Enough for All Creation,” Friday to Monday, March 13-16. During the weekend, participants will learn how to engage as advocates on climate change, migration and poverty. Experts on these issues will offer workshops on policy issues and advocacy on Saturday and Sunday, culminating on Monday with lobbying visits on Capitol Hill.

Last year 800 persons representing a broad range of Christian denominations took part in the Ecumenical Advocacy Days. One hundred United Methodists attended.

The United Methodist Church, its General Board of Church & Society (GBCS) and the Women’s Division of the General Board of Global Ministries are sponsors. GBCS and the Women's Division have staff members participating in leadership for the event.

Besides Bishop Kammerer, other notable presenters include
· the Rev. Dr. Michael Kinnamon, (Christian Church [Disciples of Christ]), General Secretary of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA;
· the Rev. John McCullough (United Methodist), executive director and CEO of Church World Service;
· Tyler Edgar, who heads the National Council of Church's work to address global warming; and
· Gearóid Francisco Ó Conaire, executive secretary, JPIC Commission of the Union of Superiors General of Men and Women Religious Institutes.

Workshops will focus on Asia-Pacific, Africa, Latin America, Middle East, the United States, eco-justice, global economic justice and peace, and global security.

Sponsored by the ecumenical Christian community, the weekend is grounded in biblical witness and shared traditions of justice, peace and integrity of creation. Goal is to strengthen the Christian voice and mobilize for advocacy on a wide variety of U.S. domestic and international policy issues.

On Monday, participants will take a coordinated message to meetings with their members of Congress. Attendees may either send e-mail to lobbyday@advocacydays.org for help in setting up appointments or schedule their own visits.

Conference fee of $160 includes two lunches and Sunday reception. Registration after Feb. 13 will be $175.

Student scholarships are available by sending an e-mail to scholarships@advocacydays.org or visiting on the Internet, advocacydays.org.

You can register online at advocacydays.org with any major credit card, or through mail with check enclosed to Ecumenical Advocacy Days, c/o Office of Public Life and Social Policy, United Church of Christ, 100 Maryland Ave. NE, Suite 330, Washington, DC 20002. Make checks payable to "United Church of Christ" with Ecumenical Advocacy Days written in the memo line.
For more information, contact Clayton Childers, GBCS director of Annual Conference Relations, cchilders@umc-gbcs.org or (202) 488-5642, or Molly Keane, conference coordinator, at info@advocacydays.org or (202) 386-6397, or download a brochure ”Enough for All Creation” at advocacydays.org.

To reserve space for the United Methodist luncheon, call (877) 783-8258 or (800) 445-8667. Cost of the luncheon is included in the registration fee of Ecumenical Advocacy Days. A one-day registration is $80.