It’s been awhile since we’ve heard a good example of churches clamoring towards social justice in their marketing efforts, but it looks like the United Methodists are headed that direction.
With Halloween just around the corner, they’re going to be making their chocolate fair trade. They’re partnering with a Massachusetts cooperative operation to raise awareness of the importance of providing adequate wages to crop-producers to help them break out of poverty. From the press release:
Susan Burton, director of the United Methodist seminar program at the Board of Church and Society, became interested in the alternatives while trick-or-treating last year with her 3-year-old. While sorting through her daughter’s candy, Burton found a postcard encouraging the purchase of Fair Trade Certified chocolate.
“I realized that was another way that I could put my faith into action, and I wanted to make this opportunity available to United Methodists,” she said.
Organizers say the partnership offers United Methodists an opportunity to address systems that contribute to global poverty. Ministry with the poor has been identified as one of the denomination’s four areas of ministry focus.
(link via MMI)
Nathan
October 22, 2008
I work at a Methodist Church but wasn’t aware we are doing this. This is awesome – thanks for posting.