Interfaith Worker Justice
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Labor in the Pulpits / on the Bimah / in the Minbar

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In the richest country in the world, more than two million full-time, year round workers live below the poverty line, struggling to pay for necessities such as food, housing, healthcare, transportation, and childcare. Since 1996, thousands of congregations have focused Labor Day weekend services on the injustices facing low-wage workers and the religious community's efforts to support those workers' struggles for living wages and family-sustaining benefits.

Celebrate the sacred link between faith, work, and justice. Invite a union member or labor leader to be a guest speaker on Labor Day weekend, or focus your Labor Day weekend service on worker justice issues.

Get your union involved in Labor in the Pulpits/on the Bimah/in the Minbar! Send the completed sign-up form to Renaye Manley via fax at (773) 728-8409.

Labor in the Pulpits/on the Bimah/in the Minbar is a joint project of Interfaith Worker Justice and the AFL-CIO.

For more information. . .
Contact Renaye Manley at Interfaith Worker Justice, 773-728-8400 x15.

 

Labor Day 2009 Scriptures

Year B Liturgy Scripture

Torah Portion

Ki Tavo
Deuteronomy 26:1 - 29:8

 

New materials for Labor Day Weekend 2009

Labor on the Bimah 09 - Jewish Perpsectives on Healthcare

Contains a source sheet and facilitator's guide.

 

Faith-specific Labor Day resources:

Putting Labor into Labor Day - Catholic Worship Aids

This resource includes reflections of the U.S. Catholic Bishops, Statements on Labor and the Right to Collective Bargaining, by His Eminence John Cardinal O'Connor, and a sermon by John Sweeney, President, AFL-CIO.

Lutheran Resources for Worker Justice

Includes Martin Luther and Worker Justice, Work and Vocation by Bishop Mark Hanson, profiles of Lutheran leaders involved in worker justice, ELCA statements on workers' rights, a labor liturgy, suggested actions for the local church, and more.

Pan-Methodist Resources for Worker Justice

Includes current statements on worker justice from the denominations, highlights and quotes from Methodist history, liturgical resources and suggested actions for the local church.

Presbyterian Resources for Worker Justice

Includes labor statements from the Presbyterian General Assemblies, a PC (USA) Religion & Labor Timeline, liturgical resources, suggested actions for the local church, and more.

The Qur'an and Worker Justice

Several Muslim leaders discussed the relevance of the Holy Qur'an to the struggle for dignity in the workplace with union leaders and other religious leaders during the Islam and Labor: Forging Partnerships Conference, held Nov. 10, 2001 in Washington, D.C. Co-convened by IWJ and the Muslim Public Affairs Council, the conference sought to build relationships between Muslims, interfaith committees and labor communities. This booklet is a result of the dialogue and highlights key themes discussed during the conference.

 

Labor in the Pulpits Organizing tools:

 

Past Labor in the Pulpits Materials

Labor in the Pulpits Jewish Reflection - 2008

From The Shalom Center: A Prophetic Voice in Jewish, Multireligious, and American Life

Labor in the Pulpits Links

A Service of Holy Communion for Labor Day (United Methodist Church)

Council of Bishops Labor Day Message 2004 (United Methodist Church)

More than Pickets and Prayers: Fifteen ways to strengthen your congregation's justice ministry with workers
by Kim Bobo; Sojourners - May/June, 1999

Labor in the Pulpits/on the Bimah/in the Minbar is a joint project of Interfaith Worker Justice and
the AFL-CIO.

For more information. . .
Contact Renaye Manley at Interfaith Worker Justice, 773-728-8400 x15.