In This Issue
Why the church and the labor movement belong together.
AFL-CIO president John J. Sweeney talks about his priorities.
Seminarians are learning about another aspect of church members' lives.
For a century and a half, workers and church people have organized together.
There is a key spiritual gift that the church may bring to labor struggle: pastoral
care.
Columnists
This summer I taught two weeklong courses, one in western Canada and one in the
American Southwest.
At midnight on May 21, I fell to the floor screaming when I learned that Krista Hunt
Ausland, my best friend for 24 years, had plunged to her death in a bus accident in
Bolivia.
Put aside the Holy Scriptures for a while and read God's first
revelation—nature itself. Such was the advice offered some
years ago by a profound, Christian thinker.
Jesus' words as he wept over Jerusalem are probably more
compelling today than ever: "If this day you only knew the ways that make for
peace..." (Luke 19:42).
Table of Contents
Cover Story
For a century and a half, workers and church people have organized together.
From City Council to Rodeo Drive: campaigning for a living wage in Los Angeles.
Baldemar Velasquez settles in for the long haul on behalf of cucumber pickers in the South.
Despite anti-union violence, the United Farm Workers persevere in organizing strawberry pickers.
Suggestions and questions to encourage faithful engagement with labor issues.
There is a key spiritual gift that the church may bring to labor struggle: pastoral
care.
Since its founding in 1994, the People of Faith Network has organized targeted
campaigns to educate religious people about the conditions under which the clothes they
buy are made.
The Detroit-based monthly newsletter Labor Notes has emerged as the networking
center for the labor reform movement.
Looking for information on strikes, boycott lists, religious statements on worker
issues, stories of labor movement heroes, or watchdog information on corporations?
Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice (CLUE), 548 S. Spring St., Suite 630,
Los Angeles, CA 90013; (213) 486-9880; CLUELA @Earthlink.net.
Commentary
This morning's Washington Post said it is a "workers' market." A
booming U.S.
Columns
This summer I taught two weeklong courses, one in western Canada and one in the
American Southwest.
At midnight on May 21, I fell to the floor screaming when I learned that Krista Hunt
Ausland, my best friend for 24 years, had plunged to her death in a bus accident in
Bolivia.
Put aside the Holy Scriptures for a while and read God's first
revelation—nature itself. Such was the advice offered some
years ago by a profound, Christian thinker.
Jesus' words as he wept over Jerusalem are probably more
compelling today than ever: "If this day you only knew the ways that make for
peace..." (Luke 19:42).
Culture Watch
When I began writing this column, way back in the second Reagan term, I held a certain
spirit of optimism about the possibilities of American popular culture–mainly meaning
pop music, televi
During every presidential election since George McGovern's failed bid in 1972, I have
argued that progressives could build a successful coalition and reassert authority.
Music has many functions, worship included. But one of its primary roles is its ability
to move people.
Departments
Casa Juliana, a community dedicated to simple living, environmental sustainability, and
social justice, seeks bilingual volunteers for technology and community
developm
To be agents of the kingdom of God is a full-time occupation. It requires a whole-life
commitment; it requires preparation and energy.
The sky shifts pinks of light through louvered fingers
And in your hair the wind's like smoothing fingers.
It rained and rained.
They were wringing out their tails,
they were wringing out their ears.
The Pumpkin Princess in the float next to the Mayor
A basic principle of organizing is that a group of people with a common purpose can accomplish more than a single individual.
