Urges signatures to letter seeking protection from evictions
With submission of his final monthly advocacy report, the Rev. Dai Morgan retired from being Coordinator of UM Advocacy in Pennsylvania Dec. 31, while also ending his brief tenure as Interim-Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Council of Churches (PCC). However, in his last advocacy effort, he asks United Methodists to sign a letter that petitions state legislators and PA Gov. Tom Wolf to extend protections against home evictions during the Coronavirus pandemic.
Morgan became legislative advocacy coordinator for the three PA conferences, reporting to their three bishops, in 2015. He has spoken at our annual conferences while keeping our members and churches informed about state legislative actions as well as advocacy concerns and campaigns.
A longtime PCC board member, he became interim-head of that Harrisburg-based ecumenical agency six months ago, until the Rev. Larry Pickens, a UM clergyman, was hired as executive director in December. Pickens began his work there this month.
“I think my work has been productive in moving the council into a phase of renewal,” said Morgan. He encourages anyone interested in the mission of UM Advocacy in PA, and possibly working with that ministry, to contact Bishop Peggy Johnson’s office.
“Dai has been an incredible light and witness to us,” said Bishop Johnson. “He has shown us what it means for legislative advocacy and the ministry of Jesus to come together to wage peace and justice in this world for Christ.”
In his “last public policy advocacy action,” Morgan invites all UMs to sign a public letter advocating for continued legislative protection for Pennsylvanians from home eviction for non-payment of rent or mortgages during the COVID-19 pandemic. Such protection is especially crucial because of continuing losses of jobs and income, health insurance and businesses resulting from the pandemic.
The letter has been sent to all state legislators and to Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration. However, its list of signatories is being updated as more signatures are added. The letter is an initiative of the PA Council of Churches and the Central PA Diocese of the Episcopal Church. But people of all faith traditions are invited to sign.
Read “900,000 Pennsylvanians could face eviction this fall if government fails to act.” And watch the NBC-TV News report, “PA Clergy Members Calling on Gov. Wolf for Rental Assistance Amid Pandemic.” Please read the PCC advocacy letter and consider signing it by filling in the input boxes at the end of the page. Learn more…
Read Morgan’s full December 2020 Advocacy Report.