Fwd: A Time for Action, Courage, & Hope - Join Us Next Thursday
Linda Holtzman
Sent from my iPhone
Begin forwarded message:
From: "Sheila Armstrong (POWER)" <in...@powerphiladelphia.org>
Date: February 26, 2015 at 8:18:08 PM EST
To: rabbil...@gmail.com
Subject: A Time for Action, Courage, & Hope - Join Us Next Thursday
Reply-To: in...@powerphiladelphia.org
Dear Linda,
The pain of another black mother whose son was gunned down by police, this time right here in Philadelphia, is ringing through our streets.
"I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord. 'Plans to prosper you and not to harm you."
Thousands of Philly kids, like my own Skylar and Symmeone, are halfway through another school year with not enough - not enough nurses and guidance counselors, not even books to bring home to learn from.
"Plans to give you hope and a future."
We hear the myth of scarcity everywhere, stories trying to convince us that there's not enough to go around. We hear lies that poor parents and black and brown parents don't care, that our kids will never learn, that our communities will never flourish, that our lives don't matter.
"Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you."
Our vision can easily crumble in the face of all. But Jeremiah 29:11-12 always brings me back to what I know is true: God wants all of us to thrive. I've tacked it to my fridge and share it with my boys when they have a bad day. And now I share it with my POWER family, become I'm inviting you to step out on this truth this Spring.
Next Thursday at our Spring Leadership Assembly, we'll be kicking off our campaign to transform one of the major systems keeping racial and economic inequality in place in our city and state: our underfunded and inequitably funded public schools. Click here to join us from 7-9PM at Living Water UCC, (6250 Loretto Ave, 19111) to lend your hand. We need the creativity, energy and prayers of all of our communities to win.
Through direct actions, phone-banking, and relationships with brothers and sisters of faith across the state in the coming months, we'll ensure our elected officials know their jobs depend on listening to the people who elected them - the families who feel the pain in our schools and our neighborhoods - not lobbyists and corporate interests that want to keep our state's resources in the hands of the few.
Next Tuesday, Governor Wolf will share his proposal for the state budget, kicking off debate in the legislature over how much should be spent on education and where the money will come from. He's already released some of his ideas. We don't know all the details yet - but we do know we need to keep the pressure up if we want to get a formula and funding that doesn't fall too much on the backs of the poor and middle class.
Praying you peace, and see you next week,
Sheila Armstrong
Education Strategy Team Co-Chair
POWER: An Interfaith MovementPS: Want to tell Governor Wolf you're praying for his moral leadership next week when he announces his budget? Click here to share your prayer and tell him that we need a Full, Fair Funding Formula this year -- our kids can't wait any longer.
