INTERNAL ADVOCACY

Internal Advocacy seeks to inform and persuade the larger Presbyterian Church (USA) in regard to those matters that are essential in our work as a denomination for Just Peace. One of the primary ways in which this is accomplished is to engage in the Presbyterian governing process by advocating for the creation of overtures at the local congregational level that will eventually come before the biennial meeting of the General Assembly, which is the highest governing body of the PC(USA). When such overtures have been approved by the presbytery of jurisdiction, the Advocacy Committee works to inform other presbyteries and their commissioners of the importance of such action prior to the convening of that particular General Assembly. During the meeting of the General Assembly, the Advocacy Committee is present at all G.A. events and committee meetings that have a bearing on these issues and makes known the positions and concerns of the Israel Palestine Mission Network where appropriate. Following the General Assembly meeting, the Advocacy Committee then reviews its recent activity and evaluates its effectiveness. Very often, the committee works with the Education Committee on projects in which the Israel Palestine Mission Network seeks to educate towards the promotion of a Just Peace in both Israel and the Occupied Territories.