By Lisa Bender
From February 8-11, 2015, a group of persons from Susquehanna Conference will learn about human trafficking at the United Methodist General Board of Church and Society building near the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. The group will visit ministries in the nation’s capital and will meet with U.S. Senators and/or members of their staffs to advocate on behalf of human trafficking victims.
Human trafficking, or modern day slavery, happens around the world where individuals are forced to work in harsh and abusive conditions with little or no pay. Many of our United Methodist agencies have been advocating on behalf of victims and reaching out to help rescue those caught up in this seemingly hopeless life.
You don’t need to know anything about this subject to attend the seminar trip to Washington, D.C. from February 8-11, 2015. Clergy and laity are invited to board the bus Sunday, February 8, at 3 p.m. at First UMC, Williamsport, or at 5 p.m. at Paxton UMC, Harrisburg, for this opportunity to make a difference in the world. You may even find that some forms of human trafficking happen near your own community. The bus will return to Harrisburg at 5 p.m. February 11, and then continue to Williamsport.
Rev. Andrew Burd-Harris from Helterville/Mifflinville Charge is the organizer for the seminar trip, sponsored by the Conference Mission and Outreach Team. The group will stay at the Harrington Hotel in D.C. Three nights’ lodging and bus transportation are included in the $375 cost, along with some meals and materials at the General Board. Some free time will be included to explore the city.
Registration deadline is January 5. For more information, see the flyer online at http://tinyurl.com/susumc-church-society or contact the organizer at aburd-harris@susumc.org or by phone at 570-231-3384.
Susquehanna Conference of the United Methodist Church
