Shasta District eNews

Jeneane Jones, Conference Communications Director, shares news of the UMC and news of national or international importance. In a recent “Instant Connection” the National Council of Churches responded to President Bush’s plan for more troops in Iraq. “It is time, not to send more troops, but to start bringing our troops home,” says the National Council of Churches of Christ USA (NCC), following President George W. Bush’s plan for the Iraq war.

“The ‘surge’ as recommended by the president is immoral. What we do not need is an assertion of more military strength. What we need is the strength of basic moral conviction,” says the statement posted on the NCC website.

“The Rev. John H. Thomas, general minister and president of the United Church of Christ, said in part, “The growing violence in Iraq, the enormous suffering being experienced by the citizens of Iraq, and the anguish of countless American families who have lost beloved sons and daughters to death and horrific injury, calls for profound lament and repentance, not for stubborn commitment to the unilateralism and militarism that has been the hallmark of our failed policy in Iraq. That is why the President’s speech is not only politically disappointing, but morally deficient as well.”

California-Nevada Bishop Beverly Shamana joined veterans and other prominent religious leaders in Sacramento to protest outside the offices of Congresswoman Doris O. Matsui (D) –5th District. The protest was against the Bush administration’s planned increase in funds and military support in Iraq. Bishop Shamana is encouraging United Methodist Churches, along with the entire faith community, to launch a letter writing campaign to Matsui’s office, and to all congress members.