Annual Report 2019-2020

OREGON COALITION OF CHRISTIAN VOICES

ANNUAL REPORT: JULY 2019 – JUNE 2020

“Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress…” “What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but do not have works? Can faith save you? If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food…and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that?  So with faith; if it does not lead to action, it is in itself a lifeless thing.”  (James 1:27 and 2:14-17)

In the following report we reflect on our work from July 2019-June 2020.  We continued to be led by scriptures such as these in James, which make it clear that the evidence of authentic faith is how well we pay attention to the basic physical needs of all in our community, in our society.  We continued to focus our efforts on systemic changes in laws and policies, believing it is our prophetic task to challenge our political leaders to enact laws and policies that demonstrates care for the marginalized, for those most at risk.

ADVOCACY AND LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITIES

This year presented both challenges and opportunities to be even more engaged in expressing our faith, as we experienced the COVID pandemic and were again painfully confronted with the ongoing systemic racism that permeates our society at every level.   These issues reminded us again of the comparative privilege we enjoy, and therefore the imperative to speak out, to act where we see systems that oppress, that fail to assure the basic safety and well-being of all.  

In March of 2020, we co-signed a letter to Governor Brown and members of the Oregon Legislature, urging them to resist calls for tax cuts and new tax subsidies, and to preserve resources to meet the increased needs for people affected by the pandemic.  In April of 2020, the board sent a letter to Governor Brown, expressing our concern that she had not yet required mask for front line workers, such as grocery clerks who interfaced with the public while providing an essential service.

During the 2020 Legislative Session, OCCV took a position on, and gave testimony on a number of bills, once again stressing the moral imperative to enact legislation that protects the most vulnerable and looks out for their interests.  The legislation we supported addressed many critical issues including tax structures, climate change, police accountability, systemic racism, gun safety, affordable housing, and services for homeless youth.   

Sadly, the 2020 Legislative Session ended abruptly when Republican lawmakers walked out, refusing to consider even the most critical issues facing the state as the pandemic unfolded.  None of the bills OCCV supported became law. 

In June of 2020, the Legislature held a special session to respond to the financial crises of the pandemic and to the most recent evidence of racial violence against people of color.  OCCV co-authored and signed a Statement in Support of Police Accountability Measures, sent to the Joint Interim Committee of the Special Session.  The statement encouraged legislators to support the package of police accountability legislative concepts proposed by the People of Color Caucus, recognizing that our faith voice is critical to keeping a focus on the injustices perpetuated by systemic racism.

During this special session OCCV supported legislation to give relief to renters and homeowners who were being affected by the loss of income during the pandemic. Fortunately the Legislature responded to that urgent need with moratoriums on evictions and foreclosures.

EVENTS

In November 2019 OCCV co-sponsored the forum, “Runaway Inequality”, presented by Les Leopold,  based on his book and his extensive research on the underlying causes and potential solutions to the growing problem of economic inequality in the U.S.

OCCV held its sixth Legislative Forum on January 19, 2020 at Westminster Presbyterian Church.  The event was co-sponsored with Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon, Interfaith Alliance on Poverty, and Unitarian Universalist Voices of Justice.  Although the planning and logistics for the event are primarily done by OCCV, and specifically board member John Calhoun, the participation and commitment of other faith-based organizations continue to be an essential part of getting people of faith engaged in advocacy.  Five legislators gave presentations on their priorities for the upcoming Legislative Session.  In addition, representatives from four partner agencies gave presentations on their respective issues.  Attendance was well over 100, and both attendees and speakers continue to be enthusiastic about the opportunity to have the conversations about the urgent legislative issues in this format.

OCCV participated in the planning for, and attended two events sponsored by partners; the Interfaith Advocacy Day at the Legislature on February 14, and the Jobs with Justice Faith Labor breakfast on February 18.     

PARTNERSHIPS

OCCV continues to foster partnerships with organizations, both faith-based and secular, that are actively engaged in advocacy around social and economic justice.  The partnerships give us all the ability to leverage our voices and influence in promoted our common causes.  In addition to partnerships at the organizational level, all board members are involved individually with like-minded organizations, greatly enriching our understanding and capacity to respond to issues congruent with our faith-based values.

We are members of, or have collaborative relationships with the following organizations:

Wage Theft Committee of Northwest Worker Justice Project; Tax Fairness Oregon; Oregon Housing Alliance; Our Children Oregon; Faith Labor Committee of Jobs with Justice; Interfaith Alliance on Poverty; Oregonians Against the Death Penalty; Human Services Coalition of Oregon; Health Care for All Oregonians; Oregon Center for Public Policy.

BUDGET AND ADMINISTRATIVE FUNCTIONS

OCCV has one part-time employee, Amanda Larriva, who works 10 hours per week and oversees all administrative functions, including publications and social media.  All other activities are done by board members, who keep the organization fully engaged in being a prophetic voice on the urgent issues affecting those for whom we advocate, and in fostering productive relationships with other organizations with whom we collaborate.

While we recognize the need to find ways of increasing our revenue for the long-term, we continue to keep expenditures within our available assets.  Our annual fund-raising campaign produced a modest increase in giving, though not a steady monthly amount, and we will continue to seek ways to increase monthly supporters.  

REFLECTIONS ON OUR JOURNEY

When OCCV began over 15 years ago, we felt the urgent call to claim Christian values as those that Jesus spoke to at the beginning of his ministry, when he said he had been sent to announce good news for the poor, the prisoner, the broken (Luke 4:18), and at the end of his time on earth, when he declared that what was done for the hungry, the stranger, the prisoner, the homeless,  was done to him. (Matthew 25:35-36).  That call has sustained us, continues to be why we do this work with unflagging commitment and passion.  

We believe this is work to which God has called us.  We recognize the privilege we have of being involved in advocacy for those who most moved the heart of Jesus – the marginalized, the wounded and oppressed - and are grateful that we have this opportunity to express our faith.  For, as the quote from James at the beginning of this report says, without works that meet the physical needs of our neighbors, our faith is a lifeless thing.  Our desire is to continue to build a sustainable organization, so that we can   join with so many others working toward a common goal, that of bringing healing to a broken world.