NCIC Calls for Occupy Peace

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Northern California Interreligious Conference

4335 Virginia Avenue

Oakland, CA  94619

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release                                                           

January 29, 2012  



Contact: 
Jackie Wright
415 525 0410

                                                           

NCIC TO HOLD PEACE & ECONOMIC JUSTICE RALLY AT 3:30 P.M. TODAY IN WAKE OF OAKLAND SHOOTINGS & OCCUPY PROTESTS

Mayor Jean Quan invited to join the “Peace and Economic Justice Rally” followed by program with San Francisco Bay Area Rainbow P.U.S.H Director, Rev. Dr. Joseph Bryant Jr. honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. & Affirming Haiti.

Oakland, CA- Northern California Interreligious Conference (NCIC) held” Peace and Economic Justice Rally” in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. today in wake of “Occupy” protests to bring attention to the need for economic justice and peace as Oakland has experienced the “New Year” with a rash of deadly shootings. The Sixth Annual Miracles of Music Jazz/Gospel Festival-The Man, "The Mission, The Music" in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is the backdrop for the rally.

KCBS Radio, NBC 11 and ABC 7 News covered the event.

Organizers say the “Peace & Economic Justice Rally” was held at the 3100 Block of High Street and concluded with a program of inspirational music including a keynote address by Reverend Dr. Joseph Bryant Jr., Director of San Francisco Bay Area P.U.S.H. and Senior Pastor of Calvary Hill Community Church in San Francisco.

“We invited Mayor Quan to join us at the rally (she was unable to attend); “The economic conditions and the level of violence in Oakland must be given attention by the highest authorities and that includes clergy,” said Reverend Greggory L. Brown, President of the Northern California Interreligious Conference Board of Directors and Senior Pastor of Oakland’s Miracles of Faith Church in the High Street Area. 

“We remind everyone that it was Jesus Christ, who said ‘Occupy Till I Return’ and we call upon religious leaders to take the frontlines.   As “the Occupy” protests erupted again in Oakland, and just as we made a call to leaders last Veteran’s Day to come to the forefront of these efforts, we must call on our spiritual power to address the needs of us, the 99% and face down the violence that has unnecessarily taken too many lives.   We can’t forget the spiritual needs of the 1%.  We can’t give up.  We must speak out and take action for social and economic justice just as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. did, one of his last acts before he was murdered for standing with the then 99%-garbage collectors in Memphis- and for protesting the Viet Nam War, ” added Brown.

The occasion of The Sixth Annual Miracles of Music Jazz/Gospel Festival-The Man, "The Mission, The Music" in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., organizers said posed an interesting dichotomy; on one hand the group brought attention to the hard realities of the deaths by violence in Oakland, the economic disparities and a reminder to support Haiti is still suffering from the ravages of its massive earthquake January 12, 2010 and other the other hand, it was a time of inspiration as unique Jazz and gospel artists performed to uplift spirits.

“We were honored to have our musicians and singers on hand as the arts are key to inspiration and helping craft an atmosphere for change,” said Brown.  “I believe it was of great spiritual significance that the right hand man in the Bay Area for one of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s protégés was our keynote speaker, Dr. Joseph Bryant Jr. Director of Reverend Jesse Jackson Sr.’s Rainbow P.U.S.H.  We tapped into Dr. King’s spirit of service.”

In addition to the rally in the 3100 Block of High Street, the Jazz and Gospel Program provided a forum for community leaders to be honored for their unsung service to Oakland. Special honorees were Pastor Brondon and Maria Reems, Mr. Walter Riley, Ms. Donna Murphy, and Mr. Tabe Gipson.

Musical performances included Ricardo Scales, Rob Collier, Cynthia Carter-Hill, Center of Hope Praise Singers and Shaila Head. 

For more information contact Reverend Greggory L. Brown at 510 536-3700.

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NCIC Calls For Peace on Veterans' Day

Northern California Interreligious Conference

4335 Virginia Avenue

Oakland, CA  94619

510 536-3700

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release                                                            

November 11, 2011

Contact:

Jackie Wright,

415 525 0410

                                  

MAYOR JEAN QUAN JOINS NCIC PASTORS’ 
THANKSGIVING BREAKFASTWITH NOTED CLERGYMAN 

DR. JAMES A. FORBES IN WAKE OF OCCUPY OAKLAND

Northern California Interreligious Conference “All Pastors Interreligious Breakfast”

Reminds Clergy of All Religions of their Role to Stand for Peace and Justice and 

Calls Pastors to Pray for the Peace of Oakland as Doves Are Released.

Oakland, CA- The Northern California Interreligious Conference (NCIC) gathers on Veterans’ Day November 11, 2011 (9:30 a.m.) today at the Cathedral of Christ the Light Church in Oakland with Mayor Jean Quan, Dr. James A. Forbes, who in 1989 was the first person of color to head the famed Riverside Church, built in 1927 by John D. Rockefeller Jr. known as a “stronghold for activism and political debate,” Michael Livingston, Director of the National Council of Churches “Fighting Poverty With Faith” Initiative, and religious leaders from all faiths to call for justice and peace in Oakland.

“We can’t thank the Diocese of Oakland enough for their support of this breakfast as we gather all religions in the first Cathedral built in the 21^st Century,” said Reverend Greggory L. Brown Senior Pastor of Miracles of Faith Lutheran Church in Oakland and President of the NCIC Board of Directors.  “When the violence broke out at Occupy Oakland it became evident that our breakfast which was planned to thank, inspire and encourage clergy, must take on the greater role of reminding religious leaders of our great role to stand for justice, pray for peace and to take action as peacemakers,” said Reverend Brown.

Mayor Jean Quan will be on hand to bring a proclamation that exhorts the Northern California Interreligious Conference for its over 110 year legacy of working for justice and peace.  It notes NCIC’s call for justice in deaths of young people of Oakland including Brandon Morris, Oscar Grant, Darnell Barr and others; and commends religious leaders for their often unsung contributions and their impact for the good of society.

Dr. James A. Forbes, who is called the “Dean of Clergy” and founder of the Healing of the Nations Foundation will be the keynote speaker at the event.   Michael Livingston, as Director of “Fighting Poverty With Faith” launched the second nationwide “Food Stamp Challenge” at Congress to live on $31.50 a week, will be a special guest.  Congresswoman Barbara Lee, who took on the “Food Stamp Challenge” which ends just as the “All Religious Pastors Thanksgiving Breakfast” begins, is an invited guest.  Other highlights include Piano Virtuoso Ricardo Scales’ performance and the release of doves heavenward as prayers from different religions are spoken.

“On the backdrop of Veteran’s Day, when we commend soldiers for their service to our country and with the “Food Stamp Challenge” just ending, to hear from Dr. Forbes, who is the Emeritus Pastor of Riverside Church, the tallest church in America and the 24^th tallest church in the world, we are surrounded by symbolism that should spur us on to call ourselves and our nation to moral excellence,” said Phil Lawson, Director of Housing East Bay Housing Organization (EBHO) and NCIC board member.  “We will not only speak peace in the walls of the cathedral, but we will ‘act peace’ by adjourning and going to the Occupy Oakland site to be with the people and perform our calling.”

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About Northern California Interreligious Conference

The Northern California Interreligious Conference is incorporated as a nonprofit in the State of California to advocate for Human Rights and present a unified voice of its members to speak truth to power and to inform the public of its responsibility to a higher calling of morality, service to mankind and ethics with respect of all religious faiths.

Established in 1914, NCIC seeks to create and sustain in Northern California an association of local and regional denominations, religious bodies, congregations, ecumenical and interfaith councils, faith-based advocacy organizations, and individuals of diverse religious traditions and backgrounds who share a common commitment to a vision of community that is based on peace, justice and the care of creation.  NCIC HONORED.

Mayor Jean Quan Joins NCIC Prayer Breakfast as Pastors Pray for the Peace of Oakland

Northern California Interreligious Conference

4335 Virginia Avenue

Oakland, CA  94619

510-536-6700

MEDIA ADVISORY

For Immediate Release                                                            

November 10, 2011   

Contact:

Jackie Wright,

415 525 0410

                                 

MAYOR JEAN QUAN JOINS DR. JAMES A. FORBES AT NCIC ALL FAITHS PASTORS BREAKFAST CONVENED FOR HEALING IN WAKE OF OCCUPY OAKLAND VIOLENCE

Thanksgiving Breakfast Calling All Pastors of All Faiths Together unfolds

to Include Prayers and Release of Doves for Healing in the Aftermath of Occupy Oakland Violence.

WHO:               James A. Forbes, “Dean of Clergy,” Founder of Healing of the Nations Church, Senior Minister Emeritus of Riverside Church, built in 1927 by John D. Rockefeller Jr. in 1927; Mayor Jean Quan, Reverend Greggory Brown, Board President of Northern California Interreligious Conference (NCIC), Reverend Phil Lawson, NCIC Board Member, Director of East Bay Housing Organization, Reverend Michael Livingston, Director of the National Council of Churches’ Fighting Poverty With Faith Initiative (National Food Stamp Challenge), Invited: U.S. Congresswoman Barbara Lee (unconfirmed) Pastors of All Faiths, and other invited dignitaries.

WHAT:             All Pastors Interreligious Thanksgiving Breakfast to honor the unsung work of pastors and to inspire clergy to initiate healing prayers and action after the violence of Occupy Oakland.  Doves will be released to symbolize the heavenward prayers.

WHEN:             Friday, November 11^th 9:30 a.m.  Media can interview from 9:30 a.m.-10:15 a.m.  During the Keynote speech (approximately 10:25) and the prayers media are asked to not move around through the audience in respect to sacred activities.  Interviews can resume at the end of the breakfast (11:00 a.m.) Pastors will be encouraged to go over to Occupy Oakland after the event.

WHERE:         Cathedral of Christ the Light Church, 2121 Harrison Street, Oakland, CA 94612

WHY:               All Pastors Interreligious Thanksgiving Breakfast is a call to action for leaders of all faiths to pray and take action for the good of all.  The Clergy is part of the 99% of the Occupy Movement.  The violence against protestors at Occupy Oakland who were assembled lawfully and who were exercising their “right to freedom of speech” October 25 and with the reported violence overnight have created a sense of urgency for clergy to perform their role to “call for justice and a call for peace.”

During these hard economic times, the clergy are at the forefront of bringing solutions to their neighborhoods.  They are among the first to hear the cries of the people concerning food scarcity, foreclosure, and joblessness. NCIC is honored to have the highly respected “Dean of Clergy,” Dr. James A. Forbes Jr. speak to the conscience of clergy.  NCIC supports Michael Livingston & the National Council of Churches Fighting Poverty with Faith Initiative that kicked off “Food Stamp Challenge” at Congress last week, encouraging lawmakers to survive on $31.50 a week ($4.50 a day) for food for their families.  Congresswoman Barbara Lee took part in the challenge that ends today.  Considering the crime statistics, they would be worse, if it were not for clergy 1) inspiring people to do good and 2) helping to rehabilitate those that have been incarcerated.

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NCIC 11-11-11 "Pastors of All Faiths Thanksgiving Breakfast & Occupy Oakland

Northern California Interreligious Conference

4335 Virginia Avenue

Oakland, CA  94619

510-536-6700

MEDIA ADVISORY

For Immediate Release                                                            

November 2, 2011                                                                    


Jackie Wright

Contact:

 415 525 0410

NCIC ALL FAITHS PASTORS BREAKFAST CONVENES FOR HEALING

IN WAKE OF OCCUPY OAKLAND VIOLENCE

Planned Thanksgiving Breakfast Calling All Pastors of All Faiths Together unfolds to Include Prayers for Healing in the Aftermath of Violence of Occupy Oakland.

WHO:               James A. Forbes, “Dean of Clergy,” Founder of Healing of the Nations Church, Senior Minister Emeritus of Riverside Church, built in 1927 by John D. Rockefeller Jr. in 1927; Reverend Michael Livingston, Director of the National Council of Churches’ Fighting Poverty With Faith Initiative (National Food Stamp Challenge), Reverend Greggory Brown, Board President of Northern California Interreligious Conference (NCIC), Reverend Phil Lawson, NCIC Board Member, Director of EBHO Housing, Invited: U.S. Congresswoman Barbara Lee (unconfirmed)  Mayor Jean Quan (CONFIRMED), Pastors of All Faiths, and other invited dignitaries.

WHAT:            All Pastors Interreligious Thanksgiving Breakfast to honor the unsung work of pastors and to inspire clergy to initiate healing after the violence of Occupy Oakland.

WHEN:            Friday, November 11^th 9:30 a.m.

WHERE:          Cathedral of Christ the Light Church, 2121 Harrison Street, Oakland, CA 94612

WHY:               All Pastors Interreligious Thanksgiving Breakfast is a call to action for leaders of all faiths to pray and take action for the good of all.  The Clergy is part of the 99% of the Occupy Movement.  The violence against protestors at Occupy Oakland who were assembled lawfully and who were exercising their “right to freedom of speech” October 25 and with the reported violence overnight November 2 have created a sense of urgency for clergy to perform their role to “call for justice and call for peace.”

During these hard economic times, the clergy are at the forefront of bringing solutions to their neighborhoods.  They are among the first to hear the cries of the people concerning food, foreclosure, and joblessness. NCIC is honored to have the highly respected “Dean of Clergy,” Dr. James A. Forbes Jr. speak to the conscience of clergy.  NCIC supports Michael Livingston & the National Council of Churches Fighting Poverty with Faith Initiative that kicked off “Food Stamp Challenge” at Congress last week, encouraging lawmakers to survive on $31.50 a week ($4.50 a day) for food for their families. Congresswoman Barbara Lee accepted the challenge.

Considering the crime statistics, they would be worse, if it were not for clergy 1) inspiring people to do good and 2) helping to rehabilitate those that have been incarcerated.

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Related News-Interfaith Statewide Conference October 2012 in Sacramento

NCIC Thanksgiving Breakfast Signifies a" Call for Justice and Peace" In Wake of Occupy Oakland Violence

All Pastors Interreligious Thanksgiving Breakfast is a call to action for leaders of all faiths to pray and take action for the good of all. The Clergy is part of the 99% of the Occupy Movement.  The violence against protestors at Occupy Oakland who were assembled lawfully and who were exercising their “right to freedom of speech” October 25 and with the reported violence overnight November 2 have created a sense of urgency for clergy to perform their role to “call for justice and call for peace.”

Northern California Interreligious Conference      Cordially Invites You to the    "INTERRELIGIOUS PASTORS' THANKSGIVING BREAKFAST" 9:30 a.m. Friday, November 11, 2011 at Cathedral of Christ the Light Church With Special Guest: The Rev. Dr. James A. Forbes Jr. Healing of the Nations Foundation Founder & Pastor Emeritus of The Riverside Church, New York, NY Dear Friends, We of the Northern California Interreligious Conference (NCIC) request the honor of your presence at the  "Interreligious Pastors Thanksgiving Breakfast" on Friday, November 11th with Dr.Jim Forbes at 9:30 a.m. at Cathedral of Christ the Light Church, 2121 Harrison St., Oakland, CA  94612.        Special Guest will be Reverend Michael Livingston of the National Council of Churches' Fighting Poverty With Faith.   Join NCIC as we break bread in unity of diverse religious traditions during the Thanksgiving season.  We extend an invitation to clergy of all faiths.  You are our guests.  There is no cost to you. Feel free to share this invitation with your friends and colleagues in the clergy. In the Spirit of "Giving Thanks Always," Reverend Greggory Brown President, NCIC Board of Directors RSVP by November 8th to nciccares@gmail.com or 510 536-6700 http://ncic-justiceandpeace.blogspot.com

NCIC Stands with NCC, Congresswoman Lee and Fighting Poverty with Faith

Thursday, October 27, food stamp users gathered together with members of Congress, representatives of the Obama Administration, rabbis, priests, and reverends outside a Capitol Hill Safeway grocery store to kick off the Fighting Poverty with Faith (FPWF) Food Stamp Challenge.

NCC President Rev. Peg Chemberlin and other other faith leaders were joined by: White House Special Advisor to the President Valerie Jarrett, Congresspersons Emmanuel Cleaver, Barbara Lee, Jan Schakowsky, Eleanor Holmes Norton, and Donna Christensen, as well as Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Dr. Kathleen Merrigan. They broke into teams and joined a shopping experience guided by local food stamp recipients, using the national average weekly food stamp allotment: $31.50. The event closed with an interfaith sending forth prayer. 

This national Food Stamp Challenge kick-off event was the first of over 35 events nationwide planned by the 50 organizations that make up Fighting Poverty With Faith. 

A joint effort co-chaired by the National Council of Churches, the Jewish Council for Public Affairs and Catholic Charities, and involving 50 faith-based organizations, the Food Stamp Challenge is a component of Fighting Poverty with Faith's 2011 mobilization: "Working to End Hunger."

Click here to read more about the Food Stamp Challenge and sign up. (It's not too late!) You can also see whether there is a Fighting Poverty with Faith event happening near where you live. Finally, if you are a social media user, you can follow the action on Twitter at #foodstampchallenge or keep up with us on Facebook.

With Faith in an Abundant Future,

Michael Livingston

Director, National Council of Churches Poverty Initiative

email info@nccendpoverty.org

For Immediate Release

October 27, 2011

ContactKristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882 or (202) 225-4783

Barbara Lee Joins Faith Leaders in Taking the Food Stamp Challenge 2011

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) joined national faith leaders from the Fighting Poverty with Faith coalition, senior members of the Obama Administration, and many of her Democratic colleagues at a Washington, D.C. supermarket to announce the start of the Food Stamp Challenge 2011.

 

The Food Stamp Challenge is a nationwide event intended to preserve funding for vital nutrition benefits during a time of record poverty and unacceptably high unemployment.  Fighting Poverty with Faith challenges everyone to live for one week on the food budget of someone surviving on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, or what is commonly called, food stamps.

 

The average benefit for an entire month is $133.79, which works out to $4.50 a day or $1.50 a meal. Participants are being asked to limit their entire food budget for the week of October 27 to November 3 to $31.50.

 

“I am again taking part in this challenge because I believe that it is unconscionable to make cuts to programs that feed America’s poor and our nation’s children during the height of an economic crisis,” said Congresswoman Lee. “We must fight against any efforts to balance the budget on the backs of the most vulnerable Americans. I hope that everyone will consider joining the Food Stamp Challenge and joining the effort to end poverty in America.”

As co-chair of the Congressional Poverty Caucus, Congresswoman Lee plans to introduce legislation next month to cut poverty by half in ten years.  The bill would create an interagency working group tasked with developing and enacting a national plan to better coordinate anti-poverty and job creation programs.

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Follow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee

Details on how you can participate can be found at: http://fightingpovertywithfaith.com/

 

NCIC Supports Kaplan's Statement on Occupy Oakland Violence

The Northern California Interreligious Conference supports Councilmember At-Large Rebecca Kaplan's statement concerning the violence against the protestors of Occupy Oakland.  NCIC calls upon clergy to make a stand for social justice.

Kaplan Responds to Use of Force, Injuries FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Jason Overman (510) 681-8641 OAKLAND, CA  Oct 27, 2011 – Councilmember Rebecca Kaplan (At-Large) issued the following statement in response to recent events involving protesters and police action taken in Oakland: "My thoughts and prayers today are with Corporal Scott Olsen, a veteran of the United States Marines – and I pray for his speedy recovery. The head injury that Scott Olsen suffered, and deployment of dangerous projectiles, absolutely should never have happened – and I am committed to preventing such harms from happening again. Next Thursday, the Oakland City Council will convene a special meeting to discuss these incidents and to evaluate next steps moving forward. As Oakland’s citywide councilmember, I will be proposing to re-clarify city policy so that we do not allow the firing of dangerous projectiles into crowds of peaceful protesters. Oakland should have learned its lesson in 2003, when antiwar protesters and bystanders at the Port of Oakland were injured by police projectiles.  Former Police Chief Richard Word at that time announced stricter guidelines for use of force against demonstrators.  The United Nations spoke out against excessive force and the City of Oakland paid out more than $2 million in settlement payments to injured demonstrators. As is too often the case, those who do not learn from the mistakes of the past are condemned to repeat them. We must learn from, and act to, prevent this type of incident from taking place. Like so many of the 99%, I am appalled that big Wall Street banks have destroyed our nation’s economy, robbed so many of their life savings, engaged in deceptive lending and unjust foreclosures and stripped from people the hope they had for the American Dream. And I have long argued that we must go after these big banks for their abuses. That’s why I directed the City of Oakland, through legislation adopted in May, to begin levying fines of $1,000 per property each day that one of these banks leaves blighted a home that they’ve taken from an Oakland family. As I’ve worked on this anti-foreclosure legislation, I’ve shared the frustration of so many people who took action peacefully to make sure that the world hears a very clear message: we won’t sit idly by and watch corporate malfeasance tear apart the hope of our communities and deny people jobs and economic opportunity. We must seek a future of peace, justice and shared prosperity – including respect for free speech and prevention of harm to the public. I look forward to discussing my proposal on preventing the excessive use of force and hearing others’ ideas as we move forward.  You can join this discussion at the Special City Council Meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 3rd in the Council Chambers of Oakland City Hall, located at 1 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Oakland, CA  94612. ### Rebecca Kaplan represents the entire City of Oakland as its Councilmember At-Large.  She has served Oakland as a citywide elected official for ten years, working to improve quality of life by enhancing economic opportunity, public safety and vibrancy in Oakland.  Prior to representing Oakland voters on the City Council, she served as At-Large Director on the AC Transit Board of Directors.  Councilmember Kaplan holds a B.S. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, a M.A. from Tufts University and a J.D. from Stanford Law School. Forwarded from a friend?  Sign up for e-mails! Paid for by Kaplan for Oakland City Council 2012 | FPPC ID #1341827 1611 Telegraph Avenue, Suite 804 | Oakland, CA  94612