What is the Office of Public Witness?
When Jesus was asked to state the greatest commandment, he replied, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart ... And a second is like it, you shall love your neighbor as yourself." In this complex age, one way we love our neighbors is to help shape the laws and policies that define how we live together in God's world.
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Commemorating the Fifth Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina
"… Of course, as we contemplated a natural disaster that morning, we had no idea of the human tragedy that was yet to unfold. We did not know how severely the levies would fail, that water would rise to cover the rooftops of houses …"
August 29, 2010 will mark the fifth anniversary of the New Orleans landfall of Hurricane Katrina. Now, after five years, the Gulf Coast has yet to recover from the devastating natural and human disaster that ensued in the weeks and months after the hurricane. Get a reflection on the fifth anniversary and other resources for prayerful reflection and observance.
Join other Christians on October 3, 2010 for Seeking God's Grace for the Gulf: a Day of Worship, Reflection, and Healing.
Criminal Justice Commission Passes House and Moves to Senate
The PC(USA) is among over 100 national religious, social service, civil liberties, criminal justice and law enforcement organizations endorsing the National Criminal Justice Commission Act, which passed the House July 28, 2010. Urge your Senators to take up the bill before the end of the year.
Meet the new Director of Public Witness
The Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson II
May/June 2010
Washington Report to Presbyterians
- The National Criminal Justice Commission Act
- What's in it for the PC(USA)?
- Human rights in the Democratic Republic of Congo
See past issues of the Washington Report.
July 30, 2010
Witness in Washington Weekly
August 27 2010
Find us on FACEBOOK!
The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Office of Public Witness in Washington, DC, (formerly known as the Presbyterian Washington Office) is now on FACEBOOK. Find us and Like Us here.
This week's messages are:
- Who is my neighbor?
- The Stated Clerk is coming to town
- Remembering Katrina: A Reflection
- Office of Public Witness joins with the Presbyterian Network to End Homelessness
- Job 9: 2-12; 14-15 - Just Before God?
See recent Witness in Washington Weekly issues.
Get information on new health care provisions
What’s in it for the PC(USA)? An analysis of the newly enacted Patient Protection and Affordable Health Care Act
Second Tuesdays
The Office of Public Witness offers assistance to Presbyterians who wish to visit their Members of Congress in Washington. A special program of issue briefings and congressional visits is offered to groups of Presbyterians on the second Tuesday of each month.
The next Second Tuesday is July 13.
Bulletin insert on Second Tuesdays
Learn more about legislation and advocacy
How to Be an Effective Advocate
Our lawmakers' votes are influenced by their personal views, their party's positions, the advice of staff, friends and lobbyists. But the single most important influence is constituent opinion.
List of Presbyterians in the 111th Congress
Follow business or find out more about this Session