[Dialogue] State of the Union - State of our Values

[Janice Ulangca]

Colleagues, I just got off a conference call with organizers of many of 135 gatherings across the U.S.  These gatherings will watch the State of the Union address by President Bush, this coming Tuesday night Jan. 31 at 9 p.m. eastern time.  Before the address, the key question discussed:  If you were the president and giving the State of the Union tonight, what would you say is one of the most important moral priorities?  After the address:  What was one specific proposal you heard that you liked?  What was one that you disliked?  What didn't President Bush talk about that you would have liked to hear?  Did what he said resonate with your values on budget priorities?  Tax priorities?  Iraq and other foreign policy issues?

These "State of Our Values" events are being coordinated by Sojourners and their associated group Call to Renewal (both headed by Jim Wallis, whose most recent book is God's Politics:  Why the Right Gets It Wrong and the Left Doesn't Get It.)  

If the idea of such gatherings intrigues you, to move toward an alternative vision of the nation's priorities,  you can find a gathering near you by going to the Sojourners web site at www.sojo.net .  Or there are a few states that don't yet have a gathering (Nebraska, Wyoming, for two).  There's a map with dots for each gathering, and you can get information about an event within 30 miles by plugging in your zip code.

Any of you colleagues would make a terrific addition to any gathering.  And hey - if you move on it fast, you can bring some friends into your living room and do another one!  But they really hope to get local media people to hear what folks are saying, out of a faith perspective (and for Sojourners that's a progressive faith perspective).  As Jim Wallis says,"Our political leaders hold up a finger to see which way the wind is blowing.  What we've got to do is change the wind.  We are not just service deliverers, or advocates, or lobbyists -- we are wind-changers!"

We have 3 gatherings in our area - one at the Unitarian Universalist congregation in Binghamton, one at First United Methodist Church in Endicott, and one at our public radio and TV station studios in Vestal.  Two of us just heard about this on MLK weekend at a phenomenal conference in Washington, D.C.  "Politics and Spirituality - Seeking a Public Integrity".  About 1700 of us from across the country heard Jim Wallis, Richard Rohr (a Franciscan who heads the Center for Action and Contemplation in Albuquerque), and author Anne Lamott.  Much, much good content.  If anyone would like notes, reply to me personally and I'll e-mail them.

Many I know have such a distaste for Bush that they don't want to watch or hear him.  But engagement in some alternatives  - hm!  That sounds like you.

Janice Ulangca

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Janice Ulangca
3413 Stratford Drive
Vestal, NY  13850
607-797-4595
aulangca at stny.rr.com
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