April
23, 2008
For the first time in
memory, having the ability to breathe free in public
places is a real possibility! The General Assembly is
in the final stages of debate and discussion concerning
legislation that would ban smoking in most public
places.
We need to keep them
focused in order to make this a reality!
Many organizations have
been holding a vigil at the state Capital in Harrisburg
to remind our elected officials that it is the people’s
will that they act in the best interest of the health
and welfare of millions of Pennsylvanians by passing
legislation that bans smoking in public places. And
yes, it is the people’s will—well in excess of 80
percent of Pennsylvanians support such a ban—including
thousands and thousands of smokers! On April 28 and 29, the faith community will have an
opportunity to step up to the plate and join our friends
and neighbors to make a difference.
You can help on
April 28-29 in Harrisburg in two ways:
-
Please join in a
standing vigil in the East Wing Rotunda of the
Capital between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. each
day. We will be there to greet our legislators
as they return from the primary election recess
and encourage them to support this important
legislation.
-
Please join with
other people of faith in visiting each
legislator’s office to offer a prayer for
him/her—for leadership and courage, and of
course, for good health.
Please contact the Rev. Sandra Strauss, Director of Public Advocacy,
Pennsylvania
Council of Churches, as soon as possible if you are able
to participate in the vigil and when you would be
available.
Rev. Strauss can be contacted at
s.strauss@pachurches.org or
(717) 545-4761.
If you are not
able to be in Harrisburg on those days, please call, visit,
mail, fax, or e-mail your senator and representative
with the following prayer and message:
Prayer:
Gracious God, I/we offer our
prayer today for Senator/Representative
. May he/she be blessed
with your love, your peace, and your grace. Guide
him/her to be a leader in supporting the health and
welfare of his/her constituents and all Pennsylvanians.
Where there is a desire for positive change, grant
leadership to lead others to join the effort. Where
there is disagreement, grant openness to hear the
concerns of others. Where there is fear, grant courage
to act in the best interest of all Pennsylvanians even
in the face of internal threat of repercussions. Most
of all, O God, bless Senator/Representative
with the gift of
health, that he/she may lead a long and healthy life
dedicated to serving you. Amen.
Message:
Please protect the health of millions of Pennsylvanians
by supporting the ban on smoking in public places
without exceptions.
The time to
act is now!
Background:
For more information, see the Smoke Free Pennsylvania
Issue Brief on the LAMPa website by
clicking here: http://www.lamp.org/Smoke_Free_Pennsylvania_issue_alert.htm
ELCA Policy
Base: Caring for
Health: Our Shared Endeavor, 2003 |
