Empowering Women: We continue to remember in prayer all those women and children who are abused in the many different ways around our world and recently for the rape victims of the Democratic Republic of Congo who were surrounded by an army.

Challenging Corporate Systems: TransCanada, a Canadian company, wants to build a 36-inch pipeline to carry up to 37.8 million gallons daily of dirty tar sands oil from Alberta, Canada through Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska and on to the Texas Gulf Coast. In August it dropped its application to the Dept. of Transportation for a waiver of standard limits on pressure but could re-apply after the pipeline is built. Urge TransCanada executive in charge of the Keystone pipeline project, Robert Jones to keep the lower, safer pressure and not to re-apply for a waiver by clicking here (Act this week)

Global Poverty: This month world leaders will meet at the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDG) Summit to accelerate progress towards achieving the MDG targets by 2015. Urge world leaders to increase their focus on human rights protection as a solution to global poverty by September 10 here (Scroll down to the bottom of the page, international action available)

Other Potential Actions:
Sign a petition that will be delivered directly to ministers and senior officials attending the Annual Meetings of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) to stop Pakistan’s debt payments allowing them to rebuild after the flood by clicking here

The U.S. State Department will soon decide whether or not to certify that the Colombian government is doing enough to prioritize human rights to merit continued U.S. military aid. Those who connect with School Of Americas Watch will be aware of Colombian government actions including: a surge in death threats against human rights organizations and advocates, with hundreds of threats being realized; in July 2010 a clandestine mass grave containing over 2000 bodies was discovered in La Macarena, Meta with the Colombian armed forces suspected to be responsible; thousands of Afro-Colombians continue to face eviction and displacement from their ancestral lands. Urge Secretary of State Hillary Clinton not to certify Columbia’s human rights record (call 202.647.2283) (Act as soon as possible)

Call Senators and Representatives urging them to support the DREAM Act allowing young people brought into the country by their parents as minors to attend college or enter the military and earn a path to citizenship. (Act this week)

Workers at Mott's Williamson, NY, plant have been on strike since May to protest the company's unfair negotiations. The stock of Mott's parent company rose 180 percent last year. Sharply cutting their workers' wages and pensions isn't a matter of keeping the business afloat; it's a matter of greed. Tell Mott’s that workers deserve fair negotiations this week by clicking here

Urge U.S. Senators and Representatives to introduce and pass legislation to establish a Gulf of Mexico Independent Regional Citizens’ Advisory Council to guide cleanup and rebuilding efforts and to ensure that the impact of future drilling projects on coastal communities is taken into account by clicking here

Confronting Unjust Corporate Systems: Urge Hilton to prevent Child prostitution in their hotels by clicking here (look to right for action, act this week)

Human Trafficking: Urge Prime Minister Putin and President Medvedev to sign the Council of Europe Convention Against Trafficking in Human Beings this week located here (International Action Available)

Human Trafficking: Contact Attorney General Eric Holder at 202.353.1555 urging the Dept. or Justice to investigate and prosecute Vanderbilt Landscaping for criminal conduct including but not limited to labor trafficking, forced labor, unlawful conduct with respect to documents, and other crimes in coordination with the F.B.I. In addition, you are invited to contact Dept. of Labor Secretary Hilda Solis (202.693.6000) urging the Department of Labor to decertify Vanderbilt from further employment of guestworkers and pursue high penalties for OSHA violations in labor camps and at worksites. (Act as soon as possible)

Other Potential Actions:
The Biotechnology Regulatory Authority of India (BRAI) bill cleared genetically modified (GM) crops overriding the concerns raised by the general public and state governments against GM food. The Parliament will soon table the bill. However, Sonia Gandhi, Chairperson of the National Advisory Council (NAC) can force the Government to re-draft the bill with suggestions from the public. You are invited to sign an open letter to Sonia Gandhi asking NAC to make the Government consult people before tabling the bill located here (International action available)


Urge your Representative to support a peaceful and stable Sudan by co-sponsoring House Resolution 1588 located here (Act this week)

Urge your Representatives to Support H.R.6021, the Haiti Empowerment, Assistance and Rebuilding Act here (Act this week)

Urge Krogers/Ralphs to uphold the standards in their company’s Vendor Code of Conduct and take responsibility for your supply chain in support of Giumarra workers located here (Act this week)

Google is trying to buy its own exclusive fast lane on the internet. The deal made with Verizon would allow Google sites to load faster and take priority while potentially slowing down other websites to a crawl and could lead to a precedent for future corporate deals as well as future legislation on how the Internet works. Currently the Internet is an equal access place but this could change. Tell the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to block the Google/Verizon proposal here (Act this week)

Water - Ohio River: Known as the most polluted river in America due to the dumping of 31 million pounds of toxic waste each year and is the main source of drinking water for many. Yet a proposal to allow coal-fired power plants and others industries to dump even more pollution into the water is being considered by the Ohio River Valley Sanitation Commission (ORANSCO). Urge ORANSCO to stop polluters from destroying our river as soon as possible

Good News: Thanks to the efforts of health care advocates who took action quickly, the House passed a new bill that extends Medicaid funding to states. That means the bill is headed to President Obama’s desk to be signed into law since the Senate has already passed this legislation.

Challenging unjust structures: Bangladesh workers are being punished as a result of Walmart’s lack of aggressive action to Nassa Global Wear in stopping human rights violations. Urge Walmart to use their full influence to encourage Nassa and the government of Bangladesh to stop persecuting workers and labor leaders here

Other Potential Actions:
Urge the Obama Administration to commit to $6 billion to the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria over the next three years by clicking here

Urge Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to call for an impartial, international investigation into the recent violence that has taken place in southern Kyrgyzstan by clicking here at

Urge U.S. Senators to provide $15 million for the ALS (Lou Gehrig’s) Research Program in 2011 here (scroll down page to BLUE box)

Recently, U.S. citizens learned of $8.7 billion missing from the Iraqi Development Fund. Inexplicably, the Department of Defense doesn’t know where 95% of a critical reconstruction program went. You are invited to contact Congress and the Obama Administration here

Bread for the World Sunday is October 17 in many congregations/parishes throughout the United States. Materials can be downloaded here Spanish resources can also be downloaded at the same web site.

Christians for Comprehensive Immigration Reform has put out a “Reel images of Immigration study guide for the movies: Made in L.A., Dying to Live, and The Visitor. It can be downloaded here

Louisville, KY: On August 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Cultivating Connections will host a screening and discussion workshop on Fuel: Change Your Fuel, Change the World at St. Matthews Episcopal Church (330 N Hubbards Lane). FUEL is a comprehensive and entertaining look at energy in America: a history of where we have been, our present predicament and a solution to our dependence on foreign oil. Participants are asked to bring their own lunch and reserve a seat by contacting cultivatingconnections@insightbb.com or call 502.897.2721 Donations are requested.

Care of Earth: Write the Minister of Environment and Forest Jairam Ramesh of India urging him to protect the coasts of India by opposing all new ports and the expansion of old ones (over 300 ports are planned) here (International action accepted)

Care of Earth: On August 6 – 8, thousands of religious leaders and people of faith across the country will express their dismay with regard to inaction on the part of Senators with regard to Climate Change legislation. Send a message to Senators this week here

Confronting Unjust Systems: Call on Rajan Kamalanathan, Walmart’s Vice President of “Ethical” Sourcing to support workers in Bangladesh who are calling for a garmet worker minimum wage of 35 cents an hour by clicking here

Other Potential Actions:
Last week U.S. citizens learned of $8.7 billion missing from the Iraqi Development Fund. Inexplicably, the Department of Defense doesn’t know where 95% of a critical reconstruction program went. You are invited to contact Congress and the Obama Administration

The Clean Energy Jobs and Oil Company Accountability Act (S. 3663) would implement commonsense reforms to our broken and corrupt oil and gas leasing processes, ensure oil companies like BP are held responsible for the damage they cause, protect our nation’s natural heritage, and provide incentives to reduce oil consumption and energy use. Urge Senators to support this bill as a first step to comprehensive clean energy and climate change legislation here

Senator Bernie Sanders has introduced the Ten Million Solar Roofs Act that would work toward solar power development, a source of green energy. Additionally, PACE (Property-assessed Clean Energy Programs) are under threat by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac who are blocking the implementation of the PACE program. Urge legislators to fund solar roofs and preserve the PACE program by clicking here


Frankfort, KY: On August 11, the Interim Judiciary Committee will take testimony about ending the death penalty for severely mentally ill persons. Dr. Sheila Schuster will guide the discussion before the committee. If you are a constituent of any of these members, please contact them urging support of this legislation. The number is 1.800.372.7181 to leave a message with your State Senator or Representative.
SENATE: Sen. Tom Jensen, Sen. Perry B. Clark, Sen. Carroll Gibson, Sen. Ray S. Jones, Sen. Gerald A. Neal, Sen. Mike Reynolds, Sen. Jerry P. Rhoads, Sen. John Schickel, Sen. Dan "Malano" Seum, Sen. Katie Kratz Stine, Sen. Robert Stivers, Sen. Jack Westwood HOUSE: Rep. John Tilley, Rep. Johnny Bell, Rep. Jesse Crenshaw, Rep. Joseph M. Fischer, Rep. Kelly Flood, Rep. Jeff Hoover, Rep. Thomas Kerr, Rep. Stan Lee, Rep. Mary Lou Marzian, Rep. Harry Moberly, Rep. Darryl T. Owens, Rep. Tom Riner

Louisville, KY: On August 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Cultivating Connections will host a screening and discussion workshop on Fuel: Change Your Fuel, Change the World at St. Matthews Episcopal Church (330 N Hubbards Lane). FUEL is a comprehensive and entertaining look at energy in America: a history of where we have been, our present predicament and a solution to our dependence on foreign oil. Participants are asked to bring their own lunch and reserve a seat by contacting cultivatingconnections@insightbb.com or call 502.897.2721 Donations are requested.

Mixed News: The U.S. Senate voted to extend unemployment insurance for more than 2 million people. Other benefits like extended COBRA subsidies, TANF Emergency Funds, jobs programs, and the Housing Trust Fund are still in limbo as senators complain that there is no money to pay for these things.
Two bills can help this situation. Call or write senators asking to sign on as co-sponsors of
S. 3533, the Responsible Estate Tax Act, introduced by Sens. Sanders, Sherrod Brown, Franken, Harkin, and Whitehouse – Act here

S. 3500, the Local Jobs for America Act, introduced by Sens. Sherrod Brown, Begich and Franken. Act here

Right to Water: As early as the last week of July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly may be voting on a Resolution to support the Human Right to Water and Sanitation. However, the UK, USA, Australia, and Canada are blocking this resolution. Visit http://www.blueplanetproject.net/ to urge ambassadors from as many countries as you wish to support the right to safe and clean drinking water and sanitation as a universal human right.

Immigration: Urge U.S. legislators to pass the DREAM Act as a step toward comprehensive immigration reform here.

Other Potential Actions:
Nurserymen’s exchange is one of the nation’s largest wholesalers of nursery plants. In July, nearly half of their employees were laid off after working decades with the company. The company wanted to hire out of town labor contractor workers so they could pay cheap wages and no benefits with the option later of rehiring with payment of minimum wage and no benefits. Act to hold corporations accountable here

As people of faith, we are called to stand by those suffering from the oil disaster. Call or email U.S. Senators and Representatives urging them to work with stakeholders, hold responsible parties accountable, ensure help reaches those in need, commit to long-term recovery and take steps to prevent future disasters here

Urge U.S. Senators to support the START Treaty that brings us one step closer to a world free of nuclear weapons here (Senate action pending, act this week)

Support the International Violence Against Women Act here

Write the EPA expressing your concern to the proposed Solid Waste Definition Rule that will allow untold numbers of facilities across the United States to burn scrap plastics, used chemicals, and other industrial wastes without emission controls, air monitoring, or reporting requirements here

On July 29 (New AZ law (SB1070) takes effect), individuals and groups around the United States will be praying and participating in acts of resistance to show support for the Immigrants and the need for comprehensive reform of U.S. immigration laws. A prayer service from the Interfaith Worker Justice is located at http://www.iwj.org/doc/rem_immigrant.pdf

Milestone for Women: On 2 July, in a historic moment, the UN General Assembly voted unanimously for the establishment of the UN Entity for Gender Equality and Empowerment, to be known as “UN Women.” The resolution that establishes the new entity is part of a larger resolution on System-wide Coherence (A/64/L.56) and is the result of years of negotiations between UN Member States and active advocacy of women’s groups and civil society.

In the Spirit of St. Vincent: Ask President Obama to deliver a plan that spells out how we can achieve the poverty-fighting Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2010 at http://one.org/us/actnow/2015/

Empowering Women: Despite Iran signing a United Nation convention that requires the death penalty only be used for the “most serious crimes” and despite Iranian Parliament passing a law banning stoning last year, stoning for adultery still continues. Sign a petition to stop stoning at http://www.avaaz.org/en/stop_stoning/?vl

Other Potential Actions:
Urge the United States to strength its support of the International Criminal Court in bringing Darfuri war crimes suspects to justice by clicking here (Act this week)

Protect communities from Coal Ash by contacting Administrator Lisa Jackson of the Environmental Protection Agency urging her to adopt enforceable federal safeguards, not suggested guidelines for states, to protect our communities by clicking here (Act this week)

The Appalachia Restoration Act (S 696) would sharply curtail mountaintop removal in the United States and protect the valleys, streams and communities that are being devastated by this destructive form of mining. Urge Senators to co-sponsor this legislation at http://www.ilovemountains.org/write-your-senators/ (Act this week)

Contact U.S. Representatives urging them to pass the Improving Nutrition for America’s Children Act (H.R. 5504) to improve the quality of food and meet the needs of all children at http://capwiz.com/networklobby/issues/alert/?alertid=15238256 (Act this week)

Urge Ayatollah Sayed Ali Khamenei and Ayatollah Sadeqh Larijani to halt the imminent executions of two Iranian women whose legal rights were violated and to commute their death sentences by clicking here (Act this week)

On July 15, the Senate plans to vote on the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. This financial reform bill takes some key steps toward breaking the control that Wall Street has over our country – urge Senators to support this bill at http://afl.salsalabs.com/o/4023/c/33/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=401 (Act before July 15)

Louisville: A Community Gathering of Mourning and Loss in response to the Gulf Coast Oil Disaster is planned for July 26 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the First Unitarian Church (4th and York Street). This gathering will include the chance to share with others, music, and deep ecology processes. The event is hosted by Cultivating Connections. Donations are requested.

Good News: Named for Eileen Egan, a co-founder of Pax Christi, long-time executive with CRS and friend to both Dorothy Day and Mother Teresa, the special recognition award was instituted in 2007 and awarded periodically to honor a group or individual who has “made a strong and extraordinary prophetic witness for peace in a time or situation of devastating violence or injustice.” Pax Christi USA will honor LCWR in recognition that “women religious are the backbone of the Catholic peace and justice movement. . . always on the frontlines where the weak and most vulnerable suffer at the hands of violent and unjust power. They have been our teachers, our guides, our mentors, and our conscience.” LCWR is humbled by this award which will be received on July 18 by LCWR president Marlene Weisenbeck, FSPA. To learn more about the conference, to be held in Chicago July 16-18, 2010, go to www.paxchristiusa.org.

Promoting Peace: Contact Senators as soon as possible with these three messages: (1) Vote NO on funding for the Afghanistan war, no matter what other measures are attached to it. (2) Vote YES on amendment 4204 to HR.4899 (the supplemental appropriation bill), submitted by Sens. Boxer, Durbin and Merkley, which in simplified language sets an exit timeline for withdrawing U.S. troops from Afghanistan. (3) Join the Out of Afghanistan Congressional Caucus initiated by Rep. John Conyers.

Challenging Unjust Structures: Urge the United Nations to establish an independent, international investigation without further delay to investigate human rights abuses in Sri Lanka at click here.

(Act this week)

Other Potential Actions:

Urge Interior Secretary Ken Salazar to halt all oil drilling in the arctic this summer

Gulf of Mexico oil disaster, it is imperative that you cancel plans to explore or drill for oil and gas in the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas at click here.

Contact Representatives and Senators urging them to help families still struggling from the impacts of the economic recession by including the following in The American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act (H.R. 4213):

• Urge funding for the National Housing Trust Fund that will provide housing for very low-income families and maintain and create jobs in the hard hit construction industry.
• Urge continued funding for the successful job creation program for low-income youth.
• Urge the extension of unemployment insurance eligibility for laid-off workers through the end of this year.
• and/or send them an e-mail

Southern Company is one of the most polluting utilities in the world, with nearly 70 coal-fired power plants generating over 50 percent of its power and it is one of the largest political contributors to Congress, contributing hundreds of thousands of dollars to members of Congress who vote to oppose new regulations and deny funding to clean energy alternatives such as wind and solar. In seeking to care for creation it is time to tell Southern Company to phase out polluting coal plants like Plant Scherer and invest at clean energy. A letter for editing is at http://www.greenamericatoday.org/takeaction/southern

Visit http://breathingearth.net/ Place your mouse on any country and see the number of persons being born and dying, and the Co2 emitted in that country.

Challenging Government Systems: A letter of transparency of extracting resources by all countries is located at http://action.gfip.org/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=1504

(Act this week)

Care for Earth: Urge US Senators to cosponsor the bi-partisan CLEAR Act, S.2877 and reject the Kerry Lieberman American Power Act with regard to global warming legislation at http://capwiz.com/fconl/issues/alert/?alertid=15027331

(Act this week)

Challenging Corporate Structures: Contact Senators (1.888.854.1978) urging them to support the Merkley-Levin amendment that would safeguard insured deposits, stop conflicts of interest and prevent any weakening of regulations of derivatives at http://www.unionvoice.org/campaign/bankreform?rk=Mpq47rEqj9jjE

Other Potential Actions:

Urge US Senators to oppose the Murkowski resolution that would weaken the Clean Air Act at http://action.earthjustice.org/campaign/murkowski_0510?rk=R7%5fJN0YqAX27E

(Act this week)

H.R. 4213, the American Jobs, Closing Tax Loopholes, and Preventing Outsourcing Act, also referred to as the tax-extender bill contains unemployment and COBRA extensions to December 31, 2010; Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF); National Housing Trust Fund; Federal Medical Assistance Percentages that preserves jobs in healthcare and summer jobs for youth. Urge members of Congress to vote for H.R. 4213 at http://capwiz.com/networklobby/issues/alert/?alertid=15051696&type=CO or 1.877.210.5351

Urge US legislators to support (S. 3197 or H.R. 5015) that has a timetable for withdrawal from Afghanistan and also urge them to vote against all future war funding.

(Act this week)

Urge President Obama and members of Congress to permanently call off plans to open more offshore drilling and to invest in a clean and safe energy future at https://secure.avaaz.org/en/stop_offshore_drilling_2/?cl=577731949&v=6235

(Act this week)

Urge US Senators to provide dedicated funding for water systems to make sure all have safe water at http://action.foodandwaterwatch.org/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=3742

(Act this week)

Urge the Chevron Manager to become transparent in all actions with all countries at

https://secure.oxfamamerica.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=1087

(Act this week)

Urge Nixon Jay, Governor of Missouri to stop the execution of Reggie Clemons pending more evidence at

http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/siteapps/advocacy/ActionItem.aspx?c=jhKPIXPCIoE&b=2590179&aid=14230&ICID=A1005A01&tr=y&auid=6357000

(Act this week)

KY Residents: A special General Assembly session has been called to pass a budget. Call the legislative message line at 1.800.372.7181 (Monday through Friday 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.) and urge Senate President David Williams, House Speaker Greg Stumbo, your state representative and senator to pass a just budget with real revenue reforms.

KY Residents: Contact KY Senators and Representatives emphasizing how application of the death penalty is uneven and arbitrary and not being used to punish the worst of the worst. Urge them to support its repeal and remind them we can hold dangerous killers accountable by long, and even permanent, prison sentences. Also contact Governor Steve Beshear, 700 Capitol Ave. Frankfort, KY 40601