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Abstain From Gambling, PA Methodists Ask;
Strategy Seeks to Repeal State Gambling Laws

United Methodist Advocacy in Pennsylvania is asking Pennsylvania United Methodists to abstain from all forms of gambling, and to join in an effort to repeal the Commonwealth’s gambling laws.

 United Methodists in the Western and Eastern regions of the state have already endorsed this effort, and representatives from the central, or Susquehanna, region are due to consider the issue when they meet in September.

 “We are in a war over gambling in Pennsylvania.  We’re David against Goliath.  We, United Methodists, are in a war over what is right,” United Methodist Advocacy PA executive director Stephen Drachler told members of the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference during their annual meeting.

 Pennsylvania United Methodists are among the leading opponents of the expansion of gambling in Pennsylvania. We work with a coalition of other faith and advocacy groups who believe using gambling to fund government services is wrong.

 The UM Advocacy-written resolution specifically calls for the repeal of all gambling laws in Pennsylvania, including pari-mutuel wagering, the lottery, and casinos.

 The board cited scripture and the denomination’s Social Principles in calling for this dramatic action by state government.

 “Gambling encourages the belief that work is unimportant, that money can solve all problems, and that greed is the norm for achievement,” states the resolution.

 Pennsylvania’s policy makers, including the General Assembly and Gov. Edward G. Rendell, have “fallen prey to the lure of seeing gambling as a solution to the Commonwealth’s fiscal problems while ignoring the moral and social implications of its proliferation,” the resolution states.

 The resolution acknowledges the difficulty of repealing gambling laws, but notes, “Jesus Christ teaches us that with God, all things are possible.”

 Copies of the resolution will be presented to Gov. Rendell and to every member of the Pennsylvania House and Senate.

United Methodist Witness Gets New Name:

United Methodist Advocacy in Pennsylvania

Welcome to United Methodist Advocacy in Pennsylvania. We represent more than 2,400 United Methodist congregations with more than 450,000 members across the Commonwealth.

United Methodist Advocacy in Pennsylvania is the new name for A United Methodist Witness in Pennsylvania.

We believe our new name, and our vastly improved ability to communicate with United Methodists across Pennsylvania, will help us in our mission to advocate for the voiceless, and for open, transparent government.

In addition to this new Web site, we have a Facebook Page, United Methodist Advocacy PA, and a Twitter designation, PAMethodist.

One of the reasons for the name change is to make our mission clear.  “Communication requires quick, clear messaging,” said the Rev. Keith Benjamin of Carbondale, PA, our board chair. “Changing our name from witness to advocacy removes any confusion about our role. We are advocates for the church and Jesus Christ.”

“We are very proud of the way United Methodists in Pennsylvania have responded to our calls to action on issues of vital importance,” Benjamin said. “With our new Web site, Facebook page, and Twitter, Pennsylvania Methodists can both receive and send information related to issues before Pennsylvania government.”

Click here to read more.

Mission
United Methodist Advocacy in Pennsylvania educates and empowers United Methodists to engage legislators and other state officials on social and governmental policy issues.

Vision
“What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
Micah 6:8

“Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.”
  - John Wesley – Founder of Methodist movement