Presbyterian Citizens in Action
Presbyterian Citizens in Action (PCIA) is a group of persons from churches in the Presbytery of Carlisle who meet regularly to discuss issues of social justice within the Commonwealth of PA and the nation, to study pending legislation, and to plan advocacy efforts. Their history goes back to the fall of 1995 when a group from Market Square and Pine Street Presbyterian Churches met to formulate goals. Their present membership comes from eight churches. Jane Wilshusen and Elizabeth Kury have served as co-chairpersons for the group’s entire history.
PCIA’s stated beliefs are that God directs people through prayer, the Bible, and the body of the church to seek justice and peace in the world, and that Jesus’ ministry to those who were sick, hungry, alienated, and oppressed, as well as Presbyterians’ long tradition of witnessing in the public arena, require involvement in the public policy process.
PCIA’s goals include following Jesus’ example by participating in the search for social justice for all people; educating and motivating Presbyterian citizens to raise their citizen voices; studying current issues in depth; creating effective networks to carry out goals; and doing advocacy through letters, calls, emails, and visits to legislators.
Areas of study and emphasis have included children’s health insurance, welfare reform, the environment, alternative energy sources, the death penalty, and tax equity.
Most recently, the group undertook a two-year study and extensive advocacy efforts in the area of more equitable funding for public schools in the Commonwealth. They used as resources the work of Good Schools PA and PA Partnerships for Children.
Throughout its history, PCIA has relied on the guidance and advice of the public policy arm of the PA Council of Churches. Currently, the Rev. Sandra Strauss is Director of Public Advocacy. In addition, the resources of the Washington Office of the PC(USA) have been utilized and made available to church members.
At Pine Street Church, an email network of about 40 persons was established, through which suggested alerts for study and action were circulated periodically. Recently visits to legislators by small groups have been organized, especially in the area of education reform.
PCIA at Pine Street is now officially an arm of the Mission Committee. During the past several years a committee from the two groups developed a Commitment to Social Justice which was adopted by the Pine Street Session in 2007.
For further information about this group, contact Elizabeth Kury or Barbara Taylor at Pine Street Presbyterian Church.
Presbyterian Citizens in Action Action
Bimonthly—2nd Wednesdays
This inter-church group meets at Market Square Presbyterian Church at 7 P.M. to educate themselves and their congregations on public policy issues, to establish ongoing relationships with elected officials and to generate letters and other forms of issue-specific communication as needed.