Faith Activities in June

National organizations -- from the National Council of Churches and B'Nai Brith International to the Islamic Society of North America -- are deeply engaged in health care and long term financial security issues. As part of this engagement, many will be launching Divided We Fail activities this month and continue throughout 2008.

Some of the faith oranizations include:

• B'Nai Brith International
• Faith in Action
• Islamic Society of North America
• Jewish Council for Public Affairs
• National Council of Churches
• Muslim Public Affairs Council
• Shepherd's Centers of America
• Sojourners

For example, the National Council of Churches has posted Divided We Fail Faith Month resources on their website and linked to dividedwefail.org, so that their 100,000 congregations can explore health care reform in a context appropriate to their members. They have also established six State Captains who will coordinate Divided We Fail activities in the coming months. They plan to use the "House Party Kit" (see below) to guide discussions in small gatherings.

Guest Columns

The Community of Faith guest columns are written by the leaders of participating faith organizations:

• Rev. Dr. Michael Kinnamon, National Council of Churches

Resources

Your church, mosque, synagogue, temple or other faith-based organization is welcome to use any or all of the following free materials to champion affordable, quality health care and long term financial security for all:

Packaged Resources

• Faith Month Resources
• House Party Kit

Brochures

• Healing America's Health Care System
• Mending Medicare
• Build Up Your Nest Egg
• Budget Balancing

Videos

• In America and Stand Up for Your Self (uplifting musical statements)
• Christine Dutton (personal story about health care crisis; Windows Media)
• AARP Foundation Benefits Outreach (program for organizations that help people with limited incomes; Windows Media)
• Mission: Retirement (practical guidance; Windows Media)

On June 21 in Atlanta, GA, AARP will also present the 50th Anniversary concert Songs of Soul and Inspiration, a celebration of voices that flowed from the African American church. The grand finale will feature artists like Chaka Khan, Shirley Caesar and Dionne Warwick singing the Divided We Fail theme Stand Up for Yourself. The Gospel Music Channel will air AARP's Songs of Soul and Inspiration for 50 million viewers. Stay tuned for the air date! Other faith-based activities are in development across the country.