The JONAH Story

The story of JONAH is the chronicle of a people who might not normally mix, yet who take seriously their calling to care for and serve one another.  As people called by God and love of all creation, we’ve come to believe that love and service do not stop outside our immediate families, do not stop beyond the circle of those we count as friends, do not stop at the edges of our faith communities.  We see caring and service without justice as mere charity; but with justice, love and service are seen to be the cornerstone teachings common to all faith traditions.

The JONAH story is about a people called together to deepen relationships within and among faith communities and to empower people to address the root causes of social injustice.  JONAH’s story is not about a people far away, or long ago.  It is your story and, we think, God’s story. Here, now in the greater Chippewa Valley, we are people gathered to address the needs of the poor, the weak and vulnerable, the sick, the hungry, the outcast and the stranger. 

Throughout the ages, the teachings of religions have proclaimed that humanity is part of the same creation; that we are all connected and what we do, or do not do, affects all others.  In spite of our differences, we are indeed one in spirit.  We believe we are called by God as stewards of all creation, to care for the earth, to promote peace, and to rail against all forms of injustice and oppression.

We are people of faith organized into action to change the way we treat each other and change the way we treat all creation in areas of Economic Justice, Treatment Instead of Prisons, , and Environmental Stewardship.  The heart of JONAH may be found writing and calling and praying for regulation of the out-of-control predatory payday lending industry.  The people of JONAH may be seen standing up in support of a Day Report Center for our non-violent offenders at a County Board Meeting. The voice of JONAH may be heard speaking up for a Community Benefits Agreement associated with new jail construction, or the face of JONAH may be seen in ECO-Teams helping change the way we recycle privately and publicly.

Our makeup is diverse. Presently JONAH has ten member congregations: Christ Episcopal (Chippewa Falls), Eau Claire Friends Meeting, First Congregational UCC, Immanuel Lutheran, Peace Lutheran, The Eau Claire Catholic Deanery, Shepherd of the Hill Lutheran (Elk Mound), Temple Sholom, Unitarian Universalist, and Unity Christ Center.

It is our desire that we expand in ever-widening circles the practice of faith-based cooperation to eliminate injustice and oppression.  This is great and energizing work.  We seek to stand at the level of faith values avoiding attack-and-defend political tactics. One day it is our hope that we see more stories about interfaith cooperation on the evening news than stories about religious extremism. Through face-to-face relationship building, this growing amalgam of faith communities is united in the pursuit of justice for all of creation.  Join us.

(adopted March 15, 2010 - revised July 2010)

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