| Get legislative news via email
As the state legislature prepares for a new session, sign up to receive email "Action Alerts" on state issues through the Conference’s Board of Church & Society.
UM-CAN is the abbreviated name for this effort to inform and engage United Methodists on legislation and policies, particularly those related to social justice. The UM Social Principles guide this work. (UM-CAN = United Methodist Constituent Advocate Network.)
Sign up at www.okumc.org/Church_Society.
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| United Methodists in Congress
In this new year, 45 United Methodists are serving in the U.S. Congress, including Rep. Tom Cole of Oklahoma.
With nine members, Texas has the largest United Methodist contingent. And according to an analysis by the Pew Forum on Religion and Politics, the assembly will include the first Hindu in either chamber, the first Buddhist in the Senate, and the first member to list "none" as religion status. —United Methodist News Service, Nov. 27
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A new event—an advocacy workshop—has been added to Day at the Legislature, on Feb. 11 at the state Capitol.
"Advocacy 101" will be taught by Janet Perry. Learn how the Oklahoma legislative process operates and methods to enhance support of or opposition to a bill. Perry is CEO of Oklahoma City YWCA.
Day at the Legislature is hosted annually by the ecumenical organization that is the Oklahoma Conference of Churches (OCC). Its member communities include The United Methodist Church.
Pastor Rockford Johnson, of Chickasha-Epworth, chairs the OCC board. Stan Basler, who directs UM Criminal Justice & Mercy Ministries, leads IMPACT, the advocacy group for OCC, and is a board member.
Sign-in for Day at the Legislature begins at 8:30 a.m. on the fourth floor of the Capitol. The program opens in the chamber of the House of Representatives.
Also on the agenda:
- A point/counterpoint discussion of the state income tax, with David Blatt, Oklahoma Policy Institute, and Jonathan Small, Oklahoma Council on Public Affairs;
- Small-group sessions with six legislators; and
- A prayer vigil.
Registration includes lunch in the fourth-floor Rotunda.
Registration fee, $30. (Students, $15) Advance registration is encourged. Go to: www.okchurches.org.
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