In response to the mosque shootings in Christchurch, New Zealand on Friday, March 15, we offer our deepest sorrow and personal horror.  At least 49 people were murdered in the shooting with dozens more hospitalized.
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We also express our condemnation of violent and destructive actions motivated by racism and religious bigotry. We stand in solidarity with our Muslim sisters and brothers in the face of this tragedy, as we continue to stand with our Jewish sisters and brothers following the murders in Pittsburgh less than six months ago, and our African-American sisters and brothers murdered while praying in church in South Carolina before that. This is a time to be bold witnesses. 

We recognize and respond to God's call in the gospel of Jesus to explicitly and unequivocally speak against the irrational fear-mongering and hate campaigns leveled against ethnic and religious minorities. Such perspectives are irreconcilable with fostering a just and sustainable humanity. We understand and believe that our human differences and diversity are a source of great strength and potential.  May this violence elicit our peaceful protest and solidarity.

Dear Friends:  The success of our advocacy to eliminate poverty depends on getting the word out.  The new web site is up and running. You may have received the mass email we sent out.  Would you please pass on this information to your organization's communications director for distribution?  Or take any of the steps below to help spread the word.
Your organization can include the MFAC's history and link to web-site in your newsletter.  A word document is attached. You could add an introduction about your congregation's role in MFAC  especially if you were there from the beginning or if several members of your congregation sit on MFAC task forces and steering committee or if your clergy are very involved.
Sharing the MFAC history could be done as a handout at your services. Or post a link on your web-site to the new Multi-faith ACTION Coalition web-site.  We hope that you will  include the new  MFAC link on any of your Social Justice communications.  www.multifaithactioncoalition.org
Please be kind enough to let us know how you communicate our new website to your congregation.  It will help us know how to prepare future communications.
Thank you for helping advance the work of this faith based coalition seeking to eliminate poverty in Contra Costa County.
In gratitude,
Melody Howe Weintraub
Chair, Steering Committee

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www.multifaithactioncoalition.org