do justice, love kindness, walk humbly with your God
I don't think this charge from Micah 6:8 can be accomplished alone. That is why as I reflect on the fall semester, I am grateful for the spontaneous opportunity to host a small gathering to learn about the Coalition of Immokalee Workers and the Sri Lankan Fisher People's movement.
Rev. Noelle Damico serves alongside the Coalition of Immokalee workers to promote the Fair Food Program, and Herman Kumara is the convener of the Sri Lankan Fisher People's movement. They were in Princeton for meetings at Princeton Theological Seminary, and Noelle reached out to Princeton Presbyterians as a former seminary intern for the once Wesley-Westminster Foundation (now Princeton Presbyterians of the Westminster Foundation and the Wesley Foundation).
It was an honor to invite the leadership of the student group Progressive Christians at Princeton (PCAP) and the Erik Matson, the Wesley Foundation Chaplain, to join the conversation.
We learned so much about the resilience of people to work for the betterment of their communities. Especially the current organizing by women for women. This is a deeply held value of Princeton Presbyterians as we work to support the flourishing of people of all genders, particularly when it comes to women and LGBTQ+ persons in church leadership.
I encourage you to check out the informative links above and discover the empowering work that has earned Greg Asbed of the Coalition of Immokalee Workers a recent MacAurthur Genius Grant.
If you are looking for some small way to uphold the dignity of farm workers, consider participating in the Wendy's boycott until they join the many peer corporations in the Fair Food Program.
May we continue to give thanks for sustained and spontaneous partnerships in this season of gratitude.
—Len
Noelle, Len, and Herman following the meeting with PCAP leader and Wesley Foundation Chaplain.