Progressive Rally at Kansas capitol building March 1st

[patrice]

Friends of TCPJ, CCT and KEC--
Here is a TV program and a public rally that you might be interested in watching and attending.
--Bill Beachy
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Why Does A Topeka Minister's Sermon From Over A Century Ago Still Have Such Worldwide Impact?

BEYOND THEOLOGY: What Would Jesus Do? explores the famous sermon from Topeka minister Rev. Charles Sheldon posed in the 19th century and how it relates today in our world of ever-changing viewpoints and religious interpretations. "What Would Jesus Do?" airs on KTWU-TV on Monday, February 26 at 8 p.m. on the 150th anniversary of Sheldon's birth.

Popularized by the book In His Steps, first published in 1896, “WWJD” remains a perennial presence within American culture. This program first explores the origins of WWJD, connecting it to a series of “sermon stories” delivered by Rev. Charles M. Sheldon, a Kansas minister aligned with the “social gospel movement” of the 19th century. Next, the program moves on to consider how this question might be reconsidered in light of the cultural changes that have taken place in America within recent decades. The third part of the program takes a closer look at the manner in which Sheldon applied the social gospel in his own community.

Credited with establishing the first kindergarten for African-American children west of the Mississippi, Rev. Sheldon pursued an active outreach ministry geared toward the alleviation of poverty, inequality and social injustice. An inveterate storyteller, he published numerous books of fiction, but is best known for In His Steps, which remains one of the best-selling books of all time. The minister portrayed in this classic story challenges his parishioners to ask themselves the question “What would Jesus Do?” whenever facing a decision of moral import. Described as the “darling of religious conservatives today,” Sheldon’s biographer notes that he was in actuality a progressive, liberal-minded pragmatist who embraced an evolutionary and ecumenical worldview.

In addition to Sheldon’s biographer and others most familiar with his life, this documentary features the insights of a number of thoughtful scholars and theologians. Among them are Rev. Peter J. Gomes and Harvey Cox of Harvard University as well as Diana Eck, director of The Pluralism Project at Harvard; Dr. James Forbes, Jr., senior minister of The Riverside Church in New York City; Robert Bellah, emeritus professor of sociology at the University of California at Berkeley; Robert Wuthnow, director of the Center for Study of Religion at Princeton University; and Stephen Prothero, professor of religious studies at Boston University. Also appearing in the program are Karen Armstrong, Huston Smith and Sister Joan Chittister.

A quote from the mythologist Joseph Campbell provides a clue to the series title – "The ultimate mystery of being is beyond all categories of thought."
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Kansas Action Network RALLY DAY  THURSDAY  MARCH 1
2nd Floor Rotunda  Kansas Capitol  9:30 a.m.
Bring as many folks as you can to this important round-up!

KAN is a Statewide Coalition for Workers’ Rights, Social Justice, Economic Fairness. Its members are labor, farm, religious, peace and justice, disabled.

Spend a day with your KANSAS ACTION NETWORK colleagues to share information and get opinions from Kansas Legislators on KAN’s initiative to raise the lowest state minimum wage in the country! (Really, its only $2.65 per hour!) KAN representatives will provide you with a basic background on the Raise the Wage initiative, share updated information, and give you the tools you need to have informed, meaningful discussions with Kansas lawmakers.

NOW is the TIME to get this law changed! IT CAN’T HAPPEN WITHOUT YOUR VOICE AND YOUR HELP!

The purpose of KAN’s Rally Day is not just to educate you, but for YOU to educate Kansas Lawmakers and let them know that you expect them to come away from this legislative session with a state minimum wage of at least $7.25 per hour (matching the current federal initiative). PLAN AHEAD and MAKE APPOINTMENTS WITH YOUR LEGISLATORS.
Appointments should be arranged before you arrive and visits should START after 12:00 noon.
Now Hiring! Now Hiring! $2.65 per hour!
Questions about Rally Day or KAN? Contact us at 785-232-4388 or <[e-mail]>.