Interfaith Group Plans Rally In Salem

February 6, 2009

Author: Rob Cullivan

Source: The Gresham Outlook

http://www.theoutlookonline.com/news/story.php?story_id=123397236768188300

Christians, Jews, Muslims and others will converge on Salem Thursday, Feb. 19, to advocate for governmental programs to combat homelessness, reduce hunger and expand access to affordable health care for children and low-income adults.

About 300 representatives of numerous faith-based organizations and churches are expected to attend “Interfaith Advocacy Day: Faithful to Oregon’s Future.”

Several groups in the state are sponsoring the event, including Snow-CAP Community Charities in East County.

Melinda Gross, public policy assistant with Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon, said the event is not sectarian in nature but designed to move legislators to address the issues on moral grounds.

“It’s not just one religious community – it’s a whole bunch of religious communities coming together,” she said. “The more help we can get from every different angle, the better it is.”

She added that religious groups provide a number of social services and are increasingly strained by the growing demand for such services in today’s recessed economy.

“It’s harder for people to contribute and give money,” she noted.

The event will include worship, advocacy and issue trainings, a keynote address from House of Representatives Speaker Dave Hunt, and prayer and reflection.

See also: Interfaith, Civic