In preparation for UNITED NATIONS SUNDAY, on Oct. 28, 2007, we invite you to learn more about the United Nations and International Affairs ministry of the General Board of Church and Society and to explore resources for observing UN Sunday and Trick or Treat for UNICEF.

Victories in hate crime legislation and in the Refugee Crisis in Iraq Act of 2007 are cause for celebration today and encouragement for the days ahead!

Put your faith in action: tell the President and Congress to eliminate three obstacles to the deployment of UNAMID so that this important operation can proceed.

"We are suffering from living in a fragmented state. Separated from each other, cut off from nature, we can't experience sacred. ... Sacred experiences give us what we need to live in this strange yet wondrous time." (from Turning to One Another, by Margaret J. Wheatley)

We who desire to be faithful to Scripture, to genuinely living out the mission set before us, take seriously the standards of that mission which include protecting the human rights of those targeted by violence and preserving the right of all personss to fully contribute  to society. The hate crimes legislation and ENDA work to this end. Therefore, all followers of Christ have an opportunity to put our faith, and not our fear, into action and to advocate for the passage of these two bills.

Tony Equale, 69, is a retired farmer from Virginia who volunteers his time with the UFCW Smithfield Campaign. He lives in Dillon, South Carolina. He does not officially represent or speak for the union, but shares here the disturbing story of the continuing struggle for justice in one U.S. town.