email of 6/3/09 from General Board of Church and Society, The United Methodist Church

Five Ways to Support Victims of Torture During Torture Awareness Month

Dear Raymond,

The National Religious Campaign Against Torture (NRCAT) has 5 simple things you can do to support victims of torture and put an end to torture around the world:
Organize an educational event for your congregation, using NRCAT’s new 18-minute DVD and discussion guide: “Ending U.S.-sponsored Torture Forever." You can view the trailer or order a copy from NRCAT's website.

Plan to join us in Washington, DC on June 11 for a Religious Public Witness in front of the White House.

Incorporate a prayer or sermon about torture in a worship service during June. You can access a variety of worship resources, on NRCAT's website.

Make your opposition to torture visible with NRCAT’s new banners and bumper stickers. Order today from NRCAT’s Online Store. If your congregation already has an anti-torture banner, please display it this month.


Organize a delegation to visit the local district office of your Member(s) of Congress to advocate for a Commission of Inquiry and legislation making elements of the President’s executive order permanent in law. Members of Congress will most likely be in their home districts during the July 4th recess (June 29 to July 3).
We've had over 1600 people add their name to our statement of faith The Truth Will Set You Free.

Please take this opportunity to add your name to the petition.
Jim Winkler, General Secretary for GBCS, recently commented "I cannot conceive in my wildest dreams of Jesus Christ giving any blessing to torture." We need people of faith to say "No!" to torture by urging the U.S. Congress and Obama Administration to support an commission of inquiry into torture.

Peace,

Bill Mefford
Director, Civil and Human Rights

We're on Facebook!
Join the United Methodists Do Not Torture group on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=6896929945.

Also, GBCS has a fan page! Join today at www.umc-gbcs.org/Facebook

The General Board of Church and Society
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www.umc-gbcs.org