Eastside Interfaith Social Concerns Council Minutes

P.O. Box 662, Bellevue, WA 98009-0662
February 8, 2011

The meeting was held in Bristol Hall of St. Margaret's Episcopal Church on January 11, 2011, beginning at 12:00 noon.

OPENING PRAYER was provided by EISCC President JoAnne Way.

SELF-INTRODUCTIONS were made by 29 members and guests.

MINUTES of the January 11, 2011 meeting were approved as distributed.

TREASURER’S REPORT: EISCC Treasurer Pat McDermott (pmcdermott@amnis.com) submitted a report that President Way read in his absence:

At 12/31/2010 cash balances total over $161,000. Because of 4th quarter billing,
accounts receivable total over $163,000. Nothing unusual was noted during the month.
Our financial condition remains strong.

CONGREGATIONS FOR THE HOMELESS:  CFH Executive Director Steve Roberts (206-295-7803 or stever@cfhomeless.org) reported that in 2010 the program provided 10,500 bed nights, 31,000 meals (prepared by their 12 host and 31 support congregations), and 3,700 case management hours.  Sixty-eight men left the shelter for permanent housing.  That is a remarkable 73 % of clients that successfully transitioned from the streets into homes of their own.  Since 2006, a total of 252 CFH clients have left lives on the street to permanent housing.

CFH is keeping supporters updated through e-newsletters that are sent every six weeks.  To sign up for the e-newsletter, please visit www.cfhomeless.org. 

Steve also reported that CFH is just about t sign a lease on a 6-bedroom house in Bellevue that will provide even more transitional housing for the program’s clients.

THE SOPHIA WAY:  Sophia Way Executive Director Helen Leuzzi (425-463-6285 or director@sophiaway.org) reported that Sophia Way winter 2011 e-newsletter is also available.  Find it at http://www.sophiaway.org/Sophiaway.org/2011_Winter_Newsletter.html.

The major focus of the Sophia Way in 2011 will be three growth projects:

Holly House: Opening soon, the remodeled Holly House will provide additional transitional housing for six women.

St. Luke’s Lutheran Church: The congregation of St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Bellevue has voted to approve the use of the space under their sanctuary for use as a shelter.  This will provide shelter space for 22 women, more than doubling the currently available space.  It will feature raised beds and cubical space to offer additional privacy.  This vote also signals the beginning of an ambitious capital campaign.  Once competed, this will significantly impact homelessness on the Eastside.

Additional Section 8 Housing: Grants received through King County and the United Way will provide 17 additional subsidized housing vouchers for Sophia Way clients.

Helen thanked supporting congregations for all their help and, with so much work before us, urges congregational representatives to discuss new ways to partner with the Sophia Way to fight homelessness in our community.

THE EASTSIDE SEVERE WEATHER SHELTER: Funding to operate the Eastside Severe Weather Shelter nightly runs out February 15th.  After that, the shelter will only be open based on specific cold weather criteria.  The shelter has been serving some 50 individuals each night.

CROP WALK: The annual Bellevue CROP Walk sponsored by Church World Service which raises money to combat hunger both locally and globally, will be held Sunday, May 15th at 1:00 p.m. in downtown Bellevue.  An informational meeting is scheduled for Saturday, March 26th at 9:30 a.m. at First Congregational Church in Bellevue (752 108th Ave NE).  For more information, visit www.bellevuecropwalk.org.

PROGRAM: FAITH AND LEGISLATIVE ACTION
Alice Woldt of the Washington Association of Churches (206-625-9790 or woldt@thewac.org) reported on their efforts to speak up for the most vulnerable among us in Olympia as the Washington State Legislature moves through the budget process. 

The first few weeks of the session have dealt with the supplemental budget which will take the state through June of this year.  The loss of revenue collected through the additional tax on soda and candy which was voted out by initiative in the last election has added to the now $257 million dollar hole in this budget.

After dealing with the supplemental budget, work will begin on the budget for the next biennium to which $4.7 billion in additional cuts will need to be made.

According to the “Rebuilding Our Economic Future Coalition: (www.oureconomicfuture.org; info@oureconomicfuture.org), although it is widely thought that all the legislature need do is to “cut the fat out of government” in order to balance these budgets, this is simply not true.  Our basic public services are on life support.  The $5 billion in funding that has been cut in the past two years from our education and health care systems, programs that protect clean air and water, and services that protect the most vulnerable has put these programs on life support.  We are not talking about minor trims – this is about the complete elimination of core programs.  Our communities can not afford to take deeper cuts to services at a time when the need for those services continues to grow.

They say that the legislature must consider a more responsible, balanced approach: We have been scrutinizing every dollar we spend on education, healthcare and other critical services, but tax loopholes and subsidies have escaped the same scrutiny.  It’s time to level the playing field.

They suggest that the legislature:

• Prevent deeper cuts to education, healthcare and other programs by keeping all funding options on the table, including ending tax subsidies to special interests such as out-of-town banks, private jet owners, and elective cosmetic surgery.
• Continue to reform the tax exemption system by making it more accountable and transparent, subjecting it to at least the same level of scrutiny as all other spending.
• Work to recover the hundreds of millions lost each year due to tax evasion.

Making the case for revenue: Raising revenue is consistent with past practices.  States often reduce taxes during economic expansions and increase them during downturns.  In the recession of the early 1990s, 44 states raised taxes; in the early 2000s, 30 states did so.  A recent study found that states that raised taxes during the last recession recovered at the same speeds as states that did not raise taxes despite starting in a deeper economic hole.  (http://www.cbpp.org/files/5-13-09sfp.pdf.)

The WAC is working to present a balanced approach advocating that the state budget be balanced not only by cutting services, but also by increasing revenue.

It is vitally important that people of faith actively work to get out our message to all of our legislators that this time of economic uncertainty, we must not ignore our charge to feed the hungry, provide shelter for the homeless, welcome the stranger, and comfort those who are ill or in prison.  It is especially important in the wake of the recently passed initiative that requires a two-thirds majority to approve any tax increase – including the elimination of tax loopholes.  And while special interests such as banks have financial resources and lobbyists, we have only our strong voices and our relationships with our elected representatives.

How to make your voice heard:
Sign up for action alerts: It can be both confusing and discouraging trying to keep up with the various bills making their way through the legislative process, but we must not allow this to keep us from being strong advocates on behalf of those who most need our help.  One way to reduce the confusion is to sign up for emails and action alerts from faith-based organizations like the Washington Association of Churches and their advocacy partner the Lutheran Public Policy Office.  These informative emails keep you informed and aware of the process and provide you with easy ways to help you contact your legislators to let them know what you think about specific measures they are considering.  Visit them at www.lppowa.org or www.thewac.org.

Go to Olympia!  The Washington Council of Churches is holding their annual Interfaith Advocacy Day on Thursday, March 17th.  The theme is “Take Action for the Common Good.”  There you will be able to participate in interfaith prayers, hear briefings and attend workshops on legislative issues and the state budget crisis, and meet your legislators to voice your concerns.  Detailed information is available below in the announcement section or by visiting www.thewac.org or calling 206-625-9790

Any other questions? Call 206-625-9790 or email wac@thewac.org.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

INTERFAITH ADVOCACY DAY: Thursday, March 17, take “Faithful Action for the Common Good!” to Olympia for InterFaith Advocacy Day.

Participate in interfaith prayers, hear briefings and attend workshops on legislative issues and the state budget crisis, and meet your legislators to voice your concerns! Because of the diminishing tax revenues and continuing budget cuts, it will be very important for the moral voice of the faith community to be heard during this session of the legislature.

Participant will gather at United Churches, 110 11th Ave SE at 8:30 a.m. and move to the Columbia Room in the State Capitol at noon. Appointments and meetings should be finished by 3:00 p.m. All faith communities are welcome!

Registration is $20 before March 10, then $25 up until the event. Registration includes an Information Packet, Continental Breakfast, Lunch, and Legislative Appointments. To register online visit http://ifad2011.eventbrite.com/.

If you’d like to pay by check, mail in your credit card information, or pay at the door, download the printable registration form visit http://thewac.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/Registration-Form-1-per-page2.pdf and send it to: The WAC, P.O. Box 95949, Seattle, WA 98145.

Note: A bus will be available to take people from the Mountlake Terrace and Seattle areas to and from Olympia (note on your registration if you would like to take advantage of this option).*

Some scholarships may be available for those who need them due to income and/or distance traveled. If you’d like to be considered for a scholarship, or if you’d like to contribute funds toward scholarships, email Allyson Fredericksen at allyson@thewac.org. Any other questions? Call 206-625-9790 or email wac@thewac.org.

BRIDGE DISABILITY MINISTRIES will hold a Sunday Celebration for people living with disabilities and friends Sunday, February 27th, 10:30am-1pm, at St Andrew Presbyterian Church, 3604 NE 10th Ct, Renton, 98056. This will be an inclusive worship service and luncheon.  Everyone is welcome and volunteers are very much appreciated.  

Bridge will also hold a Sunday Evening Celebration for people living with disabilities and friends on Sunday, March 20th, 4-6pm, at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, 2650 148th Ave SE, Bellevue, 98007. Dinner will be provided.  Everyone is welcome and volunteers are very much appreciated.  

Call (425)885-1006 ext#118 or email  lindam@bridgemin.org for more information.

TENDING ADAM’S GARDEN is a monthly interfaith dialogue that focuses on sacred teachings about what it means to be a complete and fulfilled human being, and a responsible member of the human family.  "Adam" is a metaphor symbolic of every human being, having free will and the capacity for both beneficial and harmful actions.  Humanity is the garden in which we each have a place and a chance to bloom fully. 

This program fosters ways of being in the world that are considered desirable across cultures and by the great faith traditions. It encourages participants to affirm and pursue their ideals and the virtuous qualities they would like to develop more fully.  "Adam's Garden" seeks to help participants attain greater confidence, purpose, and peace of mind by applying universal principles for living to their everyday lives and relationships.

Each session begins with a "Three Cups of Tea" time, followed by short panel presentations based on sacred writings from different traditions.  After the presentations, there is a time for Q & A and small group dialogue.

Please help us cultivate greater understanding and cooperation in our little slice of the universe.  Help tend "Adam's Garden" on Sunday, March 6th (from 3:30 to 6:00 pm) in the fellowship hall at St Peter's United Methodist Church, 17222 NE 8th Street, Bellevue, 98008.

For more information and to Register contact either Sanaa Joy Carey at joycarey@msn.com or Phil Gerson at pgerson_8@msn.com.   No charge - Offerings from the heart accepted - Light refreshments served.  Please join us!

PANCAKE BATTER: Planning a fundraiser or feeding the community?  EISCC President JoAnne Way has 4 10-lb bags of pancake mix available to someone willing to pick them up.  Contact her at waytandj@comcast.net.

CLOSING PRAYER: Closing Prayer was offered by Lloyd Van Vactor of Northshore United Church of Christ.

NEXT MEETING:  Tuesday, March 8, 2011, 12:00 - 1:30 p.m.
PROGRAM: BRIDGE DISABILITY MINISTRIES – HONORING EVERYONE’S GIFTS, BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS, ENRICHING OUR CHURCHES, OUR COMMUNITY, AND CHANGING OUR LIVES FOREVER!
LOCATION: BRISTOL HALL, ST. MARGARET’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH, 4228 FACTORIA BOULEVARD SE, BELLEVUE (ACROSS FROM NEWPORT HIGH SCHOOL)

Brian Anderson, EISCC Secretary