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Mission
Statement
- Impelled
by the belief that all creation
is sacred and inter-related;
Imbued
with the principles of
nonviolence,
mutuality
and
cooperation,
8th Day Center for Justice,
a coalition of Catholic, religious congregations,
commits to act
as a critical alternative voice
to oppressive systems
and to work actively to change those systems.
Vision
- The
Spirituality of justice calls the
staff of the 8th Day Center to envision a world of right relationships
in which all creation is seen as sacred and interconnected. In
such
a world all people are equal and free from oppression, have a right to
a just distribution of resources, and to live in harmony with the
cosmos.
Center
Structure
In
light of our faith based vision, our ministry is guided by these goals.
- To
promote justice, equality and human dignity among all people regardless
of race, ethnicity, religion, abilities, gender, sexual orientation, or
socio-economic class.
- To
stand with people who experience violence and discrimination, and
communities striving for self-determination.
- To
resist nonviolently the scape-goating and murder of communities or
religions under the guise of protecting national interests.
- To promote environmental
sustainability.
- To foster critical analysis and
awareness out of a spirituality of nonviolence and to model this in our
work and in society.
- To uphold the right to dissent
against oppressiive structures in church and society.
- To oppose the use of religious values
for profit or violence.
- To respond to emerging critical needs
and to enhance the effectiveness of individual and collective energies
through the use of the organic model.
- To effectively network with member
congregations, coalitions and other friends of 8th Day Center for
Justice.
- To ensure the future of justice work
by involving diverse participation.
- To work for the future staffing and
fundign of 8th Day Center for Justice.
8th Day
Center staff works from an organic model
to fulfill its vision and goals. Each element of this model is
integral
to our whole effort for justice:
- We will participate with our
coordinating council in a planning process to assure staffing and
funding for the
centers
ministry.
- We will engage in weekly staff
meetings for prayer, common focus, issue integration and staff business.
- We will engage in issue work
within a broad range of coalitions, center projects and ad-hoc groups.
- Our efforts will be fluid as
suggested by the organic nature of the center and in response to
emerging
critical needs. That is to say, the collective staff, or an
individual
staff member, may begin or end such engagements during the year as
conditions
dictate. This fluidity enhances our effectiveness and the use of
our individual and collective energies.
- We will utilize the social justice
process based upon experience, social analysis, theological reflection
and action.
- We will maintain a system of
liaison with member congregations to ensure greater cooperation in our
common goals.
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