{"id":563,"date":"2024-04-18T22:41:30","date_gmt":"2024-04-18T22:41:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/calchurches.planetpov.com\/impact\/?page_id=563"},"modified":"2024-04-18T23:05:38","modified_gmt":"2024-04-18T23:05:38","slug":"blog","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/churchimpact.org\/index.php\/blog\/","title":{"rendered":"Blog"},"content":{"rendered":"<ul class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__list has-dates has-author wp-block-latest-posts\"><li><div class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__featured-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/YesOn50.png?resize=150%2C150\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" style=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/YesOn50.png?resize=150%2C150 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/YesOn50.png?zoom=2&amp;resize=150%2C150 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/div><a class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-title\" href=\"http:\/\/churchimpact.org\/index.php\/2025\/10\/28\/why-arnold-is-wrong-in-opposing-proposition-50\/\">Why Arnold is Wrong in Opposing Proposition 50<\/a><div class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-author\">by The Rev Dr. Rick Schlosser<\/div><time datetime=\"2025-10-28T17:22:19+00:00\" class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-date\">October 28, 2025<\/time><div class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-full-content\"><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>An important message from Libby &#8220;The Church Lady&#8221; Sholes about Prop 50:<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:quote -->\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote\"><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><em>(Reminder: With changes to USPS policy routing mail to Regional Centers to be postmarked, if you live more than 50 miles from a regional center, your ballot may not count if not mailed by tomorrow (October 28) OR you carry it in to your local post office and ask to have it hand stamped by<\/em><em>\u00a0<\/em><em>Election Day. You can also drop off your ballot through Election Day at any vote center.<\/em><em>\u00a0<\/em><em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sos.ca.gov\/elections\/polling-place\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Find a location here.<\/a>)<\/em><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/blockquote>\n<!-- \/wp:quote -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>I was a member of the small committee assembled by California Common Cause to create the Citizens Commission on Redistricting. The committee was diverse ideologically, and yet we came together to create the Commission in full agreement with one another.\u00a0\u00a0The Commission has now worked twice to eliminate partisanship in redistricting and has restored legitimacy to the process.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>When the plan went to the 2008 ballot, we had the backing of then-governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, a Republican. That led several of us from civic organizations to stand with him at press conferences.\u00a0\u00a0We became sort of a middle-aged \u201cbackup singers\u201d group to his star power.\u00a0\u00a0It was rather silly, but it emphasized the diversity of support for the Commission. We were all gratified when the measure won, the Commission created.\u00a0<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:image {\"id\":761,\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\",\"align\":\"center\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"432\" height=\"216\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/YesOn50.png?resize=432%2C216&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-761\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/YesOn50.png?w=432 432w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/YesOn50.png?resize=300%2C150 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 432px) 100vw, 432px\" \/><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"align\":\"right\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right\">Credit:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.calfac.org\/yes-on-prop-50-campaign-begins\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">California Faculty Association<\/a><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Democracy as a process does not exist within just one\u2019s own state. Texas was ordered to redistrict mid-decade to obtain more Republican votes that would consolidate Donald Trump\u2019s power.\u00a0\u00a0California is now looking to suspend the Commission because of this unprecedented effort to impact national representation.\u00a0\u00a0Gerrymandering hurts voters. Politicians pick their voters when voters should pick their politicians. If Texas was doing this to only its own legislature, it would not be our business. Altering Congress wantonly, to hold power illegitimately, most certainly is our concern.\u00a0\u00a0California must act.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Proposition 50 lets us have a voice to suspend the Commission\u2019s districting until 2030 when, with the new census, their work will resume. If Texas, the first to illegitimately redraw lines, had not done that, California would not need to respond, but now we need to fight back.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Arnold Schwarzenegger\u2019s devotion to the Commission is real. He is speaking from his heart in wishing to save it.\u00a0\u00a0However, fair representation in Congress is in everyone\u2019s compelling interest. It transcends organizations and rules in the pursuit of actual democratic justice. Proposition 50 has been crafted with care.\u00a0\u00a0I and my organization support it, even mourning the necessity, and urge everyone to do the same.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Sorry, Arnold. This time I can\u2019t sing in your band.\u00a0\u00a0It was groovy in 2008. Not now.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Elizabeth Sholes<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Public Policy Advocate<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/div><\/li>\n<li><div class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__featured-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/250909-PROP_50_BANNER_2.jpg?resize=150%2C150\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" style=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/250909-PROP_50_BANNER_2.jpg?resize=150%2C150 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/250909-PROP_50_BANNER_2.jpg?zoom=2&amp;resize=150%2C150 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/250909-PROP_50_BANNER_2.jpg?zoom=3&amp;resize=150%2C150 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/div><a class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-title\" href=\"http:\/\/churchimpact.org\/index.php\/2025\/09\/30\/ballot-proposition-recommendation-for-the-november-4-2025-special-election\/\">Ballot Proposition Recommendation for the November 4, 2025 Special Election<\/a><div class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-author\">by The Rev Dr. Rick Schlosser<\/div><time datetime=\"2025-09-30T18:54:59+00:00\" class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-date\">September 30, 2025<\/time><div class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-full-content\"><!-- wp:separator -->\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n<!-- \/wp:separator -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textAlign\":\"center\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>People of faith say YES on Proposition 50<\/strong><\/h2>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:separator -->\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n<!-- \/wp:separator -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><strong>Proposition 50\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Recommendation: SUPPORT<\/strong><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><strong>Authorizes Temporary Changes to Congressional District Maps in Response to Texas&#8217; Partisan Redistricting. Legislative Constitutional Amendment<\/strong><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>California Council of Churches IMPACT is the advocacy sister organization of the California Council of Churches.\u00a0\u00a0We serve 1.5 million members within 21 denominations and organizations of the mainline Protestant communities of faith in our state.\u00a0\u00a0We have as the Council offered educational background on public policy since 1913 and direct advocacy on issues via IMPACT since 1995. As an organization, we have no single public policy expertise, but we act for our diverse citizens whose core interest is the preservation of our democratic Republic.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Because of our unique position, CCC IMPACT was part of the Common Cause panel that created what became the Citizens Commission on Redistricting.\u00a0\u00a0It was one of our proudest moments because it put California in the lead nationally for restoring legitimacy to redistricting, ending partisanship in that process.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>However well California did, nationally, partisanship has increased not decreased. Today we are faced with a challenge that is painful but necessary.\u00a0\u00a0Redistricting is normally done once a decade based on new census figures. This year, however, naked partisanship and power grabs are leading some states, notably Texas, to do mid-decade redistricting that is blatantly seeking a highly partisan distribution of Congressional seats in violation of the Voting Rights Act and non-partisan outcomes. It is being done to remove Congressional oversight of the Executive branch, and that is entirely unacceptable.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:image {\"id\":756,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"256\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/250909-PROP_50_BANNER_2-1024x256.jpg?resize=1024%2C256&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"This is a one-time, limited action for the good of the Republic. We, not the legislature, are making this choice.\" class=\"wp-image-756\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/250909-PROP_50_BANNER_2.jpg?resize=1024%2C256 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/250909-PROP_50_BANNER_2.jpg?resize=300%2C75 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/250909-PROP_50_BANNER_2.jpg?resize=768%2C192 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/250909-PROP_50_BANNER_2.jpg?resize=1536%2C384 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/250909-PROP_50_BANNER_2.jpg?w=1800 1800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Proposition 50 commits California to balancing that outcome. It will also permit mid-decade redistricting to offer equal numbers of seats to offset those in Texas.\u00a0\u00a0It is a one-time, limited action for the good of the Republic. We, not the legislature, are making this choice.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Proposition 50 will sunset in 2030, the Commission will be restored for the new census, and many of the Commission\u2019s founding groups are, like CCC IMPACT, supporting this ballot measure. We believe we have a larger call to counteract the biased, naked power grab in other states.\u00a0\u00a0We think it is moral and just to take our nation\u2019s well being into account in the face of such a national threat to democracy. By giving us a voice in the decision, we exercise democracy to save democracy.\u00a0We encourage every voter to support Proposition 50 to restore balance to our federal system. It\u2019s the right thing to do.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:separator -->\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n<!-- \/wp:separator -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><strong><em>Spread the Word!<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>We encourage members and friends to distribute these ballot guides from now until the election through \u201cIMPACT Sundays.\u201d More information on IMPACT Sundays is available on our website. We thank you for your interest in encouraging active deliberation on these and all issues that affect our democratic process and our moral perspectives as people of faith. If you find these recommendations helpful, please help defray the cost with a contribution to California Council of Churches IMPACT. You can help us by making sure we have your email address! Because of the cost of postage, we must cut costs by sending our mailings electronically. Please sign up by clicking the \u201cJoin Our Mailing List\u201d button on our website!\u00a0<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/CCCI-Nov-2025-Ballot-Guide-2.pdf\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/CCCI-Nov-2025-Ballot-Guide-2.pdf\">You can download a PDF of this document here<\/a><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:file {\"id\":755,\"href\":\"https:\/\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/CCCI-Nov-2025-Ballot-Guide-2.pdf\",\"displayPreview\":true} -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-file\"><object class=\"wp-block-file__embed\" data=\"https:\/\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/CCCI-Nov-2025-Ballot-Guide-2.pdf\" type=\"application\/pdf\" style=\"width:100%;height:600px\" aria-label=\"CCCI Nov 2025 Ballot Guide\"><\/object><a id=\"wp-block-file--media-7aa44689-72c1-4fbf-98c9-56728b340640\" href=\"https:\/\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/CCCI-Nov-2025-Ballot-Guide-2.pdf\">CCCI Nov 2025 Ballot Guide<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/CCCI-Nov-2025-Ballot-Guide-2.pdf\" class=\"wp-block-file__button wp-element-button\" download aria-describedby=\"wp-block-file--media-7aa44689-72c1-4fbf-98c9-56728b340640\">Download<\/a><\/div>\n<!-- \/wp:file -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/41486323-245773597580435176.preview.editmysite.com\/uploads\/4\/1\/4\/8\/41486323\/impact_sundays.pdf\">You can download a copy of our IMPACT Sundays Guide here<\/a><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/churchimpact.org\/index.php\/donate-california-church-impact\/\">You can donate to support our work here<\/a><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/div><\/li>\n<li><div class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__featured-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Military-Off-Our-Streets.jpeg?resize=150%2C150\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" style=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Military-Off-Our-Streets.jpeg?resize=150%2C150 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Military-Off-Our-Streets.jpeg?zoom=2&amp;resize=150%2C150 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Military-Off-Our-Streets.jpeg?zoom=3&amp;resize=150%2C150 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/div><a class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-title\" href=\"http:\/\/churchimpact.org\/index.php\/2025\/09\/27\/action-alert-full-force-deployment-of-troops-to-portland-authorized\/\">Action Alert: \u201cFull Force\u201d Deployment of Troops to Portland Authorized<\/a><div class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-author\">by The Rev Dr. Rick Schlosser<\/div><time datetime=\"2025-09-27T18:03:57+00:00\" class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-date\">September 27, 2025<\/time><div class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-full-content\"><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Dear Friends,<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>This morning, Saturday September 27, the president of the United States ordered ICE and regular military into Portland OR and to ICE detention units to enforce his horrific detention of immigrants.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>He ordered these troops, our military, to use \u201cfull force\u201d when they thought necessary.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>That means lethal action against demonstrators and immigrant advocates. It places our friends and allies with\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.im4humanintegrity.org\/\">Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity<\/a>\u00a0and every volunteer trying to help immigrant families in deadly peril.\u00a0<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>So many of the people swept off our streets into detention have been lawfully present that the abject horror of these deeds cannot be overstated. This is not at all about \u201cthe worst of the worst\u201d being removed from our nation. It\u2019s full out war on immigrants whoever they are.\u00a0<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Now it\u2019s a war on us all.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:image {\"id\":749,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Military-Off-Our-Streets-1024x576.jpeg?resize=1024%2C576&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-749\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Military-Off-Our-Streets.jpeg?resize=1024%2C576 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Military-Off-Our-Streets.jpeg?resize=300%2C169 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Military-Off-Our-Streets.jpeg?resize=768%2C432 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Military-Off-Our-Streets.jpeg?w=1280 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>We call on you to please raise your objections in your congregations, your social circles, and with your Representatives at local, state, and federal levels. The laws of war are clear\u00a0\u2014 lethal force by our military CANNOT be used against American Citizens. Executive fiat is NOT adequate to override the law.\u00a0<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>During the upcoming shutdown of our government, Representatives will be at home. Please use this time to contact them locally. These outrageous violations of our Constitution and our statutory laws cannot go on. Please speak out for justice and for the lives of our brave fighters for justice on the streets.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Thank you.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Eliabeth Sholes<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Public Policy Advocate<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/div><\/li>\n<li><div class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__featured-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/CA-Puzzle.png?resize=150%2C150\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" style=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/CA-Puzzle.png?resize=150%2C150 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/CA-Puzzle.png?zoom=2&amp;resize=150%2C150 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/CA-Puzzle.png?zoom=3&amp;resize=150%2C150 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/div><a class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-title\" href=\"http:\/\/churchimpact.org\/index.php\/2025\/08\/26\/support-california-redistricting\/\">Support California Redistricting<\/a><div class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-author\">by The Rev Dr. Rick Schlosser<\/div><time datetime=\"2025-08-26T21:53:44+00:00\" class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-date\">August 26, 2025<\/time><div class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-full-content\"><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>California Council of Churches IMPACT was part of the convocation established by California Common Cause to create and support the founding of the Citizens\u2019 Commission on Redistricting.\u00a0\u00a0We believe totally in the need for fair non-partisan redistricting to create and maintain legitimacy in our election process.\u00a0\u00a0Voters should have the right to pick their representatives.\u00a0\u00a0Representatives and their parties should not pick their voters.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>We have stood 100% on this accomplishment.\u00a0\u00a0<strong>Until now.<\/strong><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>As we watch the march of both fascists and theocrats, we see the erosion of all we cherish. Our entire system of law, polity, decency, freedom is cracking and beginning to fall.\u00a0\u00a0We are, as people of faith, being told we\u2019re unworthy, that our work for justice is somehow wrong because a few can\u2019t tolerate equality.\u00a0\u00a0We are being told our care for creation, our support for the \u2018alien\u2019 are wrong, that democracy is expendable, that power and money and might must prevail.\u00a0<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>We resist on every level the erosion of democracy with its liberties and freedoms. We take the Constitution seriously as a secular document that enables our faith values to flourish.\u00a0\u00a0We will not cede any of that. We do not accept fascism, authoritarianism, tyranny. We will\u00a0<strong>not\u00a0<\/strong>abide any of it without resistance.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>We see enablers of authoritarianism in Texas proposing to redistrict mid-decade to hand ONE man, Donald Trump, an utterly complicit Congress.\u00a0\u00a0Unless courts shut down this unprecedented theft of districts, districts designed to eliminate minority voters\u2019 voices and choices, we in other states are commanded to find extraordinary responses.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>We in California have the opportunity to offset the numbers of seats Texas proposes with equal numbers in opposition. It may seem partisan, but the issues of freedom, of accountable government, of the survival of our Constitution are what all is on the line. This is not an ordinary circumstance. It calls for innovative strategies.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>In 1776, Thomas Paine wrote in his pamphlet, \u201cThe American Crisis\u201d that the colonies faced massive civic, moral, and practical challenges.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cThese are the times that try men\u2019s souls\u201d he stated.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><strong>We face the same kind of crisis today. The times today try our souls and call us to resist.<\/strong><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>This November there will be a special election to suspend the work of the Citizens\u2019 Commission on Redistricting and allow redistricting to gain more Congressional seats that will provide opposition to authoritarianism in Washington DC.\u00a0\u00a0It is a move made in direct confrontation of the Texas plan that will be followed in other states that seem to have no problem enhancing the march to authoritarianism.\u00a0\u00a0We as citizens of both California and the United States are called to do what is unprecedented and fight back with something we would otherwise find odious.\u00a0\u00a0We see no other alternative.\u00a0<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>We are heartened by the public declaration by the Citizens Commission that they unanimously agree with this ballot measure, this strategy.\u00a0\u00a0The Commission is made up of Democrats, Republicans, and no-affiliation members. That they see the threat to democracy as the Governor, Gavin Newsom does, is stunning. They support passage of the ballot measure.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>I helped create the Commission.\u00a0\u00a0IMPACT backed it. We believe in what it has accomplished.\u00a0<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><strong>But we are urging a YES vote on the dissolution of existing districting in favor of fighting for the greater good.\u00a0\u00a0These are not ordinary times. They require extraordinary measures.<\/strong><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:image {\"id\":745,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\",\"align\":\"center\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"412\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/CA-Puzzle-1024x412.png?resize=1024%2C412&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-745\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/CA-Puzzle.png?resize=1024%2C412 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/CA-Puzzle.png?resize=300%2C121 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/CA-Puzzle.png?resize=768%2C309 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/CA-Puzzle.png?resize=1536%2C618 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/CA-Puzzle.png?w=2000 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>If you ever asked yourself what you would have done if you lived in Weimar Germany in the 1930s, well, the challenge is upon us all. The greater principle of obstructing fascism must prevail.\u00a0\u00a0Germans didn\u2019t get the chance to fight legally and politically against Hitler.\u00a0\u00a0We have the opportunity to fight the authoritarianism closing in around us.\u00a0\u00a0We cannot ignore the call.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Spread the word!\u00a0\u00a0We will issue a formal ballot statement when the measure is ready for the election.\u00a0\u00a0Until then please do the teaching in your congregations and communities.\u00a0\u00a0These are necessary changes to save our nation and all that we believe.\u00a0\u00a0This is a key part of our Resistance.\u00a0\u00a0Please keep it alive!<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Thank you.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Eliabeth Sholes<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Public Policy Advocate<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/div><\/li>\n<li><div class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__featured-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/ICE-Mask.jpg?resize=150%2C150\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" style=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/ICE-Mask.jpg?resize=150%2C150 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/ICE-Mask.jpg?zoom=2&amp;resize=150%2C150 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/ICE-Mask.jpg?zoom=3&amp;resize=150%2C150 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/div><a class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-title\" href=\"http:\/\/churchimpact.org\/index.php\/2025\/08\/25\/urgent-no-vigilantes-bill-is-on-the-assembly-floor-call-your-member\/\">URGENT: \u201cNo Vigilantes\u201d bill is on the Assembly Floor! Call your member!<\/a><div class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-author\">by The Rev Dr. Rick Schlosser<\/div><time datetime=\"2025-08-25T23:56:24+00:00\" class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-date\">August 25, 2025<\/time><div class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-full-content\"><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Dear Friends,<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The bill we wrote about earlier, SB 805 the \u201cNo Vigilantes&#8221;\u201dBill, has passed all its hurdles in committees. Now it&#8217;s headed to the Assembly Floor, last step before it becomes a law, and we need your voices.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>This bill would give local police the right and duty to demand identification from those purporting to be ICE agents. It would require said agents to remove masks while operating in this state. These are critical issues since we have confirmed reports of criminals posing as ICE to harm people in many ways, and assuring their identity is a major safety measure.\u00a0<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>In another state, two men posing as ICE agents tried to break into a home and were killed by the homeowner. They were not ICE. We deserve, and they need legal identification for our safety \u2014 and theirs. Still other cases of abductions of especially women have resulted in rape and murder and cannot be tolerated. We deserve transparency in law enforcement and safety in all police actions.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:image {\"id\":742,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/ICE-Mask-1024x683.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-742\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/ICE-Mask.jpg?resize=1024%2C683 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/ICE-Mask.jpg?resize=300%2C200 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/ICE-Mask.jpg?resize=768%2C512 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/ICE-Mask.jpg?resize=780%2C520 780w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/ICE-Mask.jpg?w=1536 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Please contact your Assembly Member and support SB 805. We do not need the awkward portal for contact, and in fact can&#8217;t use it for floor votes, so please go to\u00a0<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.assembly.ca.gov\/\">Welcome to the California State Assembly | California State Assembly<\/a>\u00a0to obtain your Assembly Member&#8217;s contact information. You may email, phone, or use their contact portal to express your support.\u00a0<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Time is of the essence. Please let the Assembly know how essential this action is to honest law enforcement practices and to public safety.\u00a0<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Thank you!<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Elizabeth Sholes<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Public Policy Advocate<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/div><\/li>\n<li><div class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__featured-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/ice-masks_2000px.png.webp?resize=150%2C150\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" style=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/ice-masks_2000px.png.webp?resize=150%2C150 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/ice-masks_2000px.png.webp?zoom=2&amp;resize=150%2C150 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/ice-masks_2000px.png.webp?zoom=3&amp;resize=150%2C150 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/div><a class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-title\" href=\"http:\/\/churchimpact.org\/index.php\/2025\/07\/10\/support-sb-805-no-vigilantes-bill\/\">Support SB 805 \u201cNo Vigilantes\u201d Bill!<\/a><div class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-author\">by The Rev Dr. Rick Schlosser<\/div><time datetime=\"2025-07-10T04:45:58+00:00\" class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-date\">July 10, 2025<\/time><div class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-full-content\"><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Dear Friends,<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>This is a request to sign on to\u00a0<strong>SB 805<\/strong>\u00a0by Senator Sasha Renee Perez (D-Pasadena). It is a new revision to her bill that now requires police to enforce an existing standard of no face coverings for law enforcement of any kind operating in the state of California.\u00a0<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>This replaces the original version of SB 805, so if you bump into insurance issues, that is no longer the focus and language of the bill.\u00a0<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><strong>Why Sen. Perez did this:<\/strong><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>As you no doubt know, ICE agents have been obscuring their ID and covering their faces with masks, gaiters, hoods to prevent detection by the immigrants they are apprehending and bystanders videoing them.\u00a0 The problem is, no one has verified, since they drive private vehicles, that these are actual federally authorized agents.\u00a0 We have learned that several times they have been vigilantes, bounty hunters and opportunists, sweeping people off the street who are never heard from again.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:image {\"id\":738,\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"989\" height=\"556\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/ice-masks_2000px.png.webp?resize=989%2C556&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-738\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/ice-masks_2000px.png.webp?w=989 989w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/ice-masks_2000px.png.webp?resize=300%2C169 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/churchimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/ice-masks_2000px.png.webp?resize=768%2C432 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 989px) 100vw, 989px\" \/><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Phony ICE gear can be purchased on Amazon. Anyone can pretend to be an agent. Many of the quasi-official ones are actually bounty hunters defying California state limits on their actions and don&#8217;t want this known.\u00a0 We know of one horror story of a fake ICE agent who, in another state, abducted, raped, and killed four women while a fifth escaped to tell the story.\u00a0 This is horrific and has to stop!<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>We urge you and your congregations to support this simple law &#8211; reveal identities, show your faces.\u00a0 No excuses about &#8220;risks&#8221; cover them more than for any California law enforcement officers.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Your letter should go to Assembly Public Safety before July 15.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><strong>HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR LETTER. WE HATE THIS, BUT HERE IT IS:<\/strong><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Now, the second part of this is to tell you how to submit a letter.\u00a0 Since COVID, all letters have to be filed electronically through a &#8220;legislative portal&#8221;.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The Public Safety Committee has a direct link to where you file the letter:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/apsf.assembly.ca.gov\/\">Welcome to the Committee on Public Safety | California State Assembly<\/a>\u00a0 It is right below the pictures of the committee leadership.\u00a0<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>It is one of our greatest beefs that this system is not very easy to use, so Public Safety has provided a guide usable for all letters to all committees.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.assembly.ca.gov\/sites\/assembly.ca.gov\/files\/Publications\/2019_quick_ref_guide_advocacy.pdf\">2019 Committee Services: Position Letter Portal (Quick Reference Sheet) (ca.gov)<\/a><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>One does have to set up an account either organizationally (page 1) or individually (page 2).\u00a0 Once that&#8217;s done, the REALLY annoying part, it will always come back to you for any future letters you want to send.\u00a0 Thus one bad time of figuring this out will pay off now and later.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>We think this simplifies life in the Capitol and offices &#8211; and complicates it for citizens, especially those not really comfortable with technology and with legislative templates. They mean something if you already know them &#8211; but not if you don&#8217;t.\u00a0 The guide is helpful on those points.\u00a0 The system just is not very user friendly.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>But be assured if I could do it &#8211; known widely as &#8220;The Queen of the No. 2 Pencil&#8221; &#8211; you will be able to as well.\u00a0 Going through the Committee link actually helps. You minimize a few steps, but you STILL have to set up an account.\u00a0 Sorry &#8211; we find no workaround on that.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Please take the time to thrash this out so you can express your support for transparency and safety in every corner of our state. We deserve to know who is operating in a law enforcement capacity &#8211; and if they are real.\u00a0<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><strong>No Gestapos! No Secret Police! No Vigilantes!\u00a0 \u00a0<\/strong><strong>Keep our state and all its people safe. Support SB 805.\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Thank you!<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Elizabeth Sholes<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>California Church IMPACT<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/div><\/li>\n<\/ul>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-563","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/churchimpact.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/563","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/churchimpact.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/churchimpact.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/churchimpact.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/churchimpact.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=563"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"http:\/\/churchimpact.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/563\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":571,"href":"http:\/\/churchimpact.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/563\/revisions\/571"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/churchimpact.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=563"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}