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Celebrating Twenty-Five Years Together In Christ
Report of the Committee for Church in Society
As a standing committee of the West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod of the ELCA, the Committee for Church in Society has been committed to mercy and justice issues affecting the people of the territory of the synod as well as the world at large. As people of these beautiful mountains in which we live and worship, we are committed to stewardship of the beauty and resources of this place as well as mercy ministries for the poor and disenfranchised. For the past few years, we have grappled with issues regarding the care of creation – specifically mountain top removal and Marcellus Shale drilling. Both of these issues are multi-faceted. Each deals with out of state companies who have traditionally reaped much of the financial benefits, but are employers of large numbers of our people. Both provide energy resources and each, when implemented without regard to regulations, can impact the health and safety of the community at large. In the past we worked with the Bishop’s Task Force in birthing Community Lutheran Partners, Inc., sponsored the first “Just Neighbors” event, produced a hunger resource, “The Extra Row”, and participated in many other projects. With the change in the synod structure, the official work of this committee has ended. It has been an honor to have participated in the work on social issues within the territory of the West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod. “Let justice flow on like a river.” Amos 5:24 In Christ’s Service, Norma Bowyer, Chair Committee for Church in Society