Social Justice
Matthew 25:35-36 is one of the many biblical road maps for how to treat others: "...for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me." Recognizing our common humanity and desiring a fair allocation of community resources is a golden thread running through the Bible. To this end, Bethel has established a Social Justice Advocacy in Action Committee to investigate and report on pressing social justice issues in our community and around the world.
Affordable Housing
The Social Justice Advocacy in Action Committee focuses on a new justice issue each year. In 2016 we worked on the issue of affordable housing by organizing three public informational forums featuring Beaverton Mayor Denny Doyle, Lisa Mentesana from the Beaverton School District Homeless Education Program, and Annette Evans, Homeless Program Coordinator for Washington County.
As as result, the Church passed an Affordable Housing Resolution and became a Supporting Congregation of Family Promise of Beaverton, an organization helping homeless families.
Racism And Racial Bias
In 2017, the Social Justice Advocacy in Action Committee focused on the theme “Understanding and Healing our Community.” Our first social justice forum of the year featured Jo Ann Hardesty, President of the NAACP, who spoke to us about racial bias in the criminal justice system.
ISRAEL and Palestine
The Palestinian/Israeli conflict has also been a focus of the SJAA Committee. As a result, a resolution on the Israel Palestine Conflict was passed, and Bethel became host to the Central Pacific Conference's Palestine Israel Network (PIN).
Contact Us to Learn More About How You Can Help Support Social Justice Issues at Bethel