I have only placed one bumper sticker on any car I owned. It read, "The Labor Movement: the folks who brought you the weekend." When the Methodist Episcopal Church first adopted a Social Creed in 1908, one demand was "for a release from employment one day in seven."

The prophet Isaiah proclaims the promise that when you advocate for justice "your light will break out like the dawn and your recovery speedily spring forth. Thanks be to God for the release of the Korean hostages and for the light which breaks out like the dawn!

The General Board of Church and Society urges you to make a difference in the fight against Global Poverty. On October 17th, millions of people from around the world will participate in a global advocacy event to set an official Guinness World Record - the greatest number of people ever to STAND UP against Poverty and for the Millennium Development Goals.

This presentation was delivered by Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno of the Philippines on August 9, 2007, at the Manila Pavillion Hotel prior to the third consultation on the proposed UMC Social Creed of the General Board of Church and Society. An active United Methodist layman, Chief Justice Puno is publicly outspoken in opposition to the disappearance of and extrajudicial killings of clergy, journalist, jurists, labor organizers and indigenous persons by the military.

In her sermon, preached at the Dumbarton United Methodist Church Sunday August 26, 2007, Maria Otero, Executive Director, ACCION International, tells the story of the courageous people of Latin America and provides the church with a challenge and an opportunity to support workers and address solutions to global poverty.

The emerging technology known as Nanotechnology has huge implications for health and medicine. What should the Church say about this technology? An article written by United Methodist, Jaydee Hanson, Director of Human Genetics and Nanotechnology Policy and a Biblical response by Rev. Jackson Day allow us to reflect on the Church's prophetic witness in the midst of technological advances. We look forward to hearing your responses to this timely article.