Faith & Justice
“He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6:8 (NRSV)
Faith & Justice Ministry
Faith and Justice is a ministry of The Fort that mobilizes for advocacy on humanity issues and injustices in the US that affect the healthcare, education, economics, housing, environment and safety of individuals and families. We have led or participated in protests against racism, and marched with the City for climate control and homelessness. As we advance our prophetic initiative for social justice at Fort Washington Collegiate Church, we have decided to hold a Freedom School initiative this February. We are planning four Freedom School around four issues of injustice related to systemic racism. A cluster of folks will working on each issue in organizing the Lunch-and-Learn after the service. Join us in making changes to better the community and our world. Visit our calendar for more info.
ADVOCACY
Fort Washington Supports Call to Extend HMAP at NYU
Fort Washington Collegiate Church is proud to be part of CAPR (Collective Action for Puerto Rico), and supports this request for NYU to join other higher-learning institutions to extend its HMAP (Hurricane Maria Assistance Program) for an additional semester. The HMAP has provided Puerto Rican students with safe housing, clean food and water, and access to continued education.
ACTIVISM
REV. DAMARIS WHITTAKER SPEAKS IN DC AT THE POOR PEOPLE'S CAMPAIGN FOR PUERTO RICO.
The Rev. Damaris Whittaker, a United Church of Christ minister from New York City, addressed a recent Harvard University report that estimated 4,645 Puerto Ricans died as a result of last September's Hurricane Maria — more than 70 times the number than the U.S. government total of 64, and two and half times more than those who died as a result of Hurricane Katrina. The researchers cited a lack of access to medical services as a large factor for the immense death toll.
"I ask the citizens of this country, what is the value of a Puerto Rican life?" Whittaker said, reminding the crowd that Puerto Ricans are American citizens.
Whittaker, who said she visited some of the most impacted towns on the Caribbean island, called for "sustainable and green reconstruction" of Puerto Rico and an audit of its debts to allow for its people to recover from the storm.
"While Wall Street continues to profit from the Puerto Rico debt, Puerto Ricans are dying. And it is time that we call it by its name: It is sin. It is evil. It is unjustifiable," she said.
[Excerpts from Brian Roewe’s article. Brian is an NCR staff writer. His email address is broewe@ncronline.org.]
MISSION TRIPS
“If you have come here to help me, you are wasting your time. But if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together.” (Australian activist Lilla Watson)
In 2019 Fort Washington made multiple missions trips to help the people in Puerto Rico & The US Virgin Islands to recover from the effects of Hurricane Maria. We provided medical services, dental services and made repairs and helped to plant new crops. In July, on one of the trips, the Mission 5 youth travelled to Puerto Rico. Our very own Rev. Dr. Damaris D. Whittaker, Minister Bridget Kelso Anthony, Karen Sheares, and Sabas Whittaker escorted our youth on a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Along side farmers, community volunteers and organizers, we helped repair two homes, cleared a field, planted seeds, and distributed school supplies to 85 children in an impoverished community.
Our trip was centered in the mantra: “If you have come here to help me you are wasting your time, but if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together” (Lilla Watson). Everyday, shoulder-to-shoulder with residents we worked and created relationships. One of the most amazing moments during this trip was observing our youth defy language barriers, and interact fully with the youth in Miraflores. They worked together, they ate together, and they danced together. Everyday, they acknowledged that our liberation is interconnected.