DENOMINATIONAL MEMBERS
Wear Your Support to Help Stop Gun Violence – Shirts Available for Sale
Help us spread Gun Violence Prevention Awareness by supporting the cause and saving lives. One Team. One Goal. A whole lot of support. We’re thrilled to share some exciting updates on all the great things happening at the Gun Violence Prevention Committee of the Ohio Council of Churches. Our resources are expanding with Committee members’ input.
Welcome to the Ohio Council of Churches
A Jesus Christ Movement For Unity, Justice & Peace!
The Ohio Council of Churches (OCC) is a partnership of 17 Christian denominations in 23 different organizational configurations or judicatories throughout Ohio. While our administrative offices are in Columbus, the Ohio Council of Churches is much larger than any office; it is all of us, together, across Ohio!
Justice & Advocacy Ministries
Mental Health Stigma Reducation
Fair Legislative Maps
Governor DeWine Encourages Death Penalty Repeal
On Tuesday (June 16th) Governor DeWine publicly stated his position in opposition to the death penalty in Ohio. The Ohio Council of Churches have been longtime opponents of the death penalty on moral and pragmatic grounds.
Jesus was unjustly executed because of the death penalty's desire to intimidate others. Ohio needs a criminal justice system that does not focus on retribution or revenge. Instead Ohio needs a criminal justice system that emphasizes accountability, public safety, and restoration of the community. A criminal justice system with the death penalty falls short on all of these goals.
Thank you Governor DeWine for your moral leadership on this issue. You can read more about Governor DeWine's position and evolution of his views here.
Happy Juneteenth!
On June 19, 1865, union troops reached Galveston Bay and were able to spread the word that the institution of slavery in the United States was officially over. Sadly, the KKK, Jim Crow, and an ongoing legacy of segregation and discrimination continue to this day, delaying the full implementation of the freedom proclaimed 161 years ago from the institution of slavery that began in 1619. But the vision has been set! We are all called to the work of building a free America for all people - regardless of earthly characteristics used to divide us because in our diversity we reflect the image of God (Gen. 1:26).
Too often, we think the freedom we have in Christ (Gal. 5:1) is like an easy-pass into heaven. Instead, it is freedom for something. It is the freedom to love, the freedom to liberate others from the sins and divisions of this world, the freedom to be who God made us to be - reflecting the divine image. Legislation like HB 415 THE CROWN ACT seeks to continue to create a society where all neighbors are freed to reflect the divine image in all of our diversity.
Regardless of the racial demographics of your congregation, we encourage all Christian faith communities to lift up the importance of freedom for all of our neighbors this Juneteenth! Below are a small collection of resources from various expressions of our Christian family.
In Service,
Deacon
Nick Bates, J.D.
He/him
Ohio Council of Churches,
Interim Executive Director
Voting is a Sacred Duty Where We Listen to One Another.
This week the Ohio General Assembly rushed two proposals through the G.A. with little opportunity for feedback or discussion and further erode trust in our election integrity to generate an accurate representation of our community priorities.
Matthew 25 calls on us to care and give dignity to those the world calls the least of these. We are called to love our neighbor and what better way to love somebody than to listen to them. As a society we listen to one another through fair and accurate elections.
In our American society, we give honor and dignity to our neighbor by listening and valuing every citizen's right to vote.
The legislation passed to increase photo ID requirements in Ohio (Voters are already required to present a photo ID when voting) will do little to counter fraud, but will dramatically increase bureaucracy and continue to play on racial and economic stereotypes in society.
Elections are only effective when voters have faith that it is trusted process that results the views of the community being reflected. Even when we are disappointed with the outcomes, we can move forward as neighbors. Rushing proposals through in a partisan manner that may disenfranchise already marginalized Ohioans does not reflect the ideals we all strive for as Americans.
During the Hunger Network's monthly Advocate Check-in Call they will provide an overview of the voting changes, Medicaid, capital budget and other end of season votes at the Ohio Statehouse. Hope to see you then!
In Service,
Deacon
Nick Bates, J.D.
He/him
Ohio Council of Churches,
Interim Executive Director
