Community Resources
One of our goals is to serve as a reliable source of information about faith and social justice issues so that people of faith can be better informed, motivated and equipped to take action.
This section provides resources focused on the issues we are working on, as well as links to organizations we are working with. If you know of other resources that would be helpful to our collective work, please forward them to us at info@thechurchcouncil.org.
In each section below, please look for this icon to guide you to specific ways that you can participate to make a tangible difference.
Housing & Homelessness
The Church Council of Greater Seattle convenes a working group of networks addressing homelessness to share information, strategies, successes, and “wonderings,” and to provide advice about the Church Council’s work on homelessness. To be a part of this group, contact Michael Ramos. Email Michael or phone him at (206) 525-1213, ext 102.
Invite the Church Council for a Conversation
The Church Council is a recognized leader in working with congregations to address homelessness and affordable housing. Specific areas of expertise include working within congregations and with neighborhoods and governments regarding encampments, the continuum of care, and ways congregations can participate in addressing homelessness and affordable housing. Invite us for coffee, a forum, temple talk, or gathering. Contact Ann Erickson by email or phone; (206) 525-1213, ext 105.
Faith & Family Homelessness Project
A project of Seattle University’s School of Theology and Ministry, this program provides high-quality leadership and support to local faith communities as they work in partnership to end the cycle of family homelessness. The signature offering is a Poverty Simulation Workshop.
Housing Development Consortium
Through education, advocacy and leadership, HDC supports and inspires its members as they work collaboratively to meet the housing needs of limited-income people throughout King County. They provide local advocacy leadership around initiatives such as the Seattle Housing Levy and have excellent resources including compilations of housing facts and infographics.
Washington Low Income Housing Association
WLIHA provides leadership in state-wide advocacy and organizing to ensure that all Washington State residents thrive in safe, healthy, affordable homes. The organization behind Housing and Homelessness Advocacy Day, they distribute informative action alerts and one-pagers on legislative issues concerning housing and homelessness, along with information on media advocacy.
All Home (formerly the Committee to End Homelessness)
All Home is a community-wide partnership to make homelessness in King County rare, brief and one-time. All Home brings together local governments, religious institutions, non-profits, philanthropic organizations, shelter and housing providers, the private sector and engaged citizens in a coordinated effort that both responds to the immediate crisis of homeless individuals and addresses the root causes of the problem in our region. The organization has recently released a four-year Community Strategic Plan.
Seattle/King County Coalition on Homelessness
The Coalition on Homelessness is a coordinating force on budget and policy decisions which directly affect the lives and futures of people who are homeless and the kind of community we all live in. The Coalition’s activities include coordinating the One Night Count, Project Cool, and Homeless Voter Registration; advocating at the local level; and presenting workshops on advocacy.
2-1-1 Community Resources
This service is known in King County as the Crisis Clinic. It provides an online database of community resources; and a phone line of resources (in King County dial 2-1-1 from any landline, or 800-621-4636, M-F 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.)
Washington State 2-1-1 maintains a statewide online database, and links to a network of regional call centers, including King County’s 2-1-1 or Crisis Clinic linked above.
Seattle Housing Authority
The Seattle Housing Authority compiles information about various affordable housing options, and maintains a list of housing resources that include shelters, emergency assistance, transitional housing, low-income rentals, and low-income homeownership.
Economic Justice
This website, created by the Church Council in 2015, provides resources and information for congregations on engaging around the issues of obtaining a living wage for all.Living Wage Principles
Church Council of Greater Seattle Living Wage Principles. (PDF, 2013, 1 Page)
Reflection on Living Wage for All Banner Campaign
A brief summary of the “Living Wage for All” Banner campaign. In June, 2014, 14 Seattle congregations lifted banners onto their houses of worship with the message, “Living Wage for All.” (PDF, 2014, 2 Pages)
Blessing of the “Living Wage for All” Banners
The blessing offered by the Rev. Brandon Duran of Plymouth Church at the launch of the “Living Wage for All” banner campaign in June, 2014. (PDF, 2014, 2 Pages)
Church Council of Greater Seattle and Faith Action Network Transfer Funds from Bank of America
Statement made by the Church Council of Greater Seattle and the Faith Action Network as they transfer their funds from Bank of America. (PDF, 2012, 2 Pages)
Racism & Prejudice
Our Muslim partners have shared with us this list of ways to support them and combat Islamophobia. The list includes resources for educating oneself about Islam, local Islamic organizations, and ideas for being an active ally. Please review and share.List of Resources from Dr. Heather Hackman
Publications, Video, Audio, Articles, Blogs regarding diversity, equity, and social justice issues
People’s Institute Undoing Institutional Racism Workshops
The People’s Institute Undoing Racism Workshop is an intensive workshop designed to educate, challenge and empower people to “undo” the racist structures that hinder effective social change. The training is based on the premise that racism has been systematically erected and that it can be “undone” if people understand where it comes from, how it functions and why it is perpetuated. Workshops held in Seattle and Portland.
Immigrant & Refugee Accompaniment
Sin Fronteras Resource Guide
A resource guide of services in King and Pierce County for immigrants and refugees. (PDF, 2015, 2 Pages). Information can also be found at: http://www.sinfronterasguide.org
King County Community Protection Ordinances: 16692 & 17886
The 2009 Ordinance (Ordinance 16692) relates to ascertaining immigration status as it relates to the public health and safety of the residents of King County. The 2014 Ordinance (Ordinance 17886) ends the honoring of civil immigration hold requests from the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement for individuals in the custody of the department of adult and juvenile detention. These ordinances help ensure that governmental officials and law enforcement carry out their duties equitably and for which they are to be held accountable. They also help to alleviate fear within communities about approaching law enforcement or seeking services.
City of Seattle Community Protection Legislation: Executive Order 2016-08
Executive Order 2016-08, issued by City of Seattle Mayor Edward B. Murray on November 23, 2016, “reaffirms existing policies and provides guidance to City employees on protecting immigrants’ access to police protection and public services and establishing an ‘Inclusive and Equitable City Cabinet’ to coordinate city efforts to protect the civil liberties and civil rights of all Seattle residents.”
Lutheran Community Service’s Immigrant and Children’s Refugee ProgramLCS’s Immigrant and Children’s Refugee Program helps refugees and immigrants access resources and gain skills to successfully transition to their new communities, attain self-sufficiency and begin lives of new hope and promise. LCS seeks foster parents, respite caregivers, tutors, and people to rent rooms to a young adult transitioning from foster care to independence.
Call to Action: Accountability in Immigration Detention
Call to Action to our Representatives and Senators to encourage them to support H.R. 2314, (Accountability in Immigration Detention Act of 2015) introduced by Representative Adam Smith. (PDF, 2015, 2 Pages)
Statement: Bringing the Values of Compassion in to the Light in the Midst of Tragedy
A statement and call to action to support Syrian refugees and refugees from other nations. Lays out three values to provide a principled-response to unfolding events related to human tragedy, the refugee crisis, our own security and war. (PDF, 2015, 2 Pages)
Speech: Agents of Hope for Syrian Refugees
Speech by Church Council of Greater Seattle Executive Director Michael Ramos at a Rally for Syrian Refugees on November 28, 2015.(PDF, 2 Pages)
Statement and Resources Regarding Temporary Deportation Relief
A statement and collection of resources in response to President Obama’s Executive Order providing temporary relief from deportation for millions of immigrants. (PDF, 2014, 3 Pages)
Letter regarding unaccompanied children from Central America
A letter signed by many organizations and faith groups expressing opposition to the increased deportation efforts and the opening of new immigrant family detention centers as responses to the humanitarian situation involving unaccompanied children coming from Central America to the United States. (PDF, 2014, 6 Pages)
Letter Supporting Just and Humane Comprehensive Immigration Reform
A letter signed by faith organizations and people of faith in support of just and humane comprehensive immigration reform. (PDF, 2013, 4 Pages)
Faith Statement Concerning Raids in Ellensburg
A faith response to the January 2011 immigration raids in Ellensburg, signed by several denominational leaders. (PDF, 2011, 2 Pages)
Local Churches Pledge Sanctuary for Immigrants
Article in The Source about the launch of the New Sanctuary Movement in 2007. (PDF, 2 Pages)
Ecumenism & Interfaith
Description of the Conventional Discussion Process and the Understanding Process, as taken from Deborah Flick’s Debate to Dialogue. Used in the Standing Together series of Interfaith Dialogues. (PDF, 1 Page)
Litany of Gratitude, Lamentation and Hope
A Litany written by Michael Ramos, Church Council of Greater Seattle, and Julie Burrell, First African Methodist Episcopal Church, Seattle, for the 29th Annual Inter-Spiritual Celebration of Gratitude at Thanksgiving. (PDF, 2015, 2 Pages)
Speech: Statement of Solidarity with Muslim Brothers and Sisters
Speech by Church Council of Greater Seattle Executive Director Michael Ramos at Idriss Mosque, December 11, 2015. (PDF, 1 Page)
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
Resources from the World Council of Churches for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity which is celebrated every year between January 18 and 25.
Advocacy in the Public Square
Church Council of Greater Seattle’s 2016 Legislative Agenda (PDF, 2016, 2 pages)
2015 Legislative Priorities
Church Council of Greater Seattle’s 2015 Legislative Priorities (PDF, 2015, 2 Pages)
2014 Legislative Priorities
Church Council of Greater Seattle’s 2014 Legislative Priorities (PDF, 2014, 2 Pages)
A Citizen’s Guide to Effective Legislative Participation
This website, sponsored and maintained by the State of Washington, provides helpful information about the legislative process and how to be an effective citizen participant. It also provides helpful links for identifying and contacting legislators.
State Level:
Governor
Find your District & State Legislators
Contacting Your Legislators
Legislative Calendar
Legislative Committees
Bill Info
Visiting the Legislature
Secretary of State (Info on Initiatives & Referenda, and Voting)
Toll-Free Hotline: 1-800-562-6000 open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday – Friday during the Legislative session
County Executives (King, Snohomish)
County Councils (King, Snohomish)
County Elections (King, Snohomish)
City Mayors (Seattle, additional city references to be added soon)
City Councils (Seattle, additional city references to be added soon)
Other Social Justice Issues
Lamentation and Call to Commitment in response to the shooting at Umpqua Community College in Roseburg, Oregon in October of 2015.(PDF, 1 page)
Statement on the Shooting at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina
Statement in response to the Shooting at Mother Emanuel, Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina, in June of 2015.(PDF, 1 page)
1987 Apology to the Tribes of the Northwest
The 1987 Apology to the Tribes of the Northwest, organized by the Church Council President-Director Rev. Dr. William “Bill” Cate and signed by local religious leaders. (PDF, 1987, 1 Page)
1997 Apology to the Tribes of the Northwest
The 1997 Apology to the Tribes of the Northwest. (PDF, 1997, 1 Page)
