Social Justice

At Fairview Community Church we seek to live out the Christian call by truly seeking justice for all. We heed the words of the prophets like Isaiah and Micah who called us to loosen the bonds of injustice, to feed the hungry and clothe the naked, while humbly walking with God, loving all, and seeking justice. This call manifests itself in a variety of different ways for us. Because we see all of the world as our global community, we realize that we have to both respond locally in our community of Costa Mesa and the larger Orange County, but also to worldwide injustice. So, whether it is standing in opposition to the genocide in Darfur, or standing alongside the poor and oppressed in our own city, or even intentionally focusing on caring for God’s creation so that we might see a greener tomorrow, we seek to transform the current status quo.

 

 

Here are just a few ways we seek justice together:

 

 

 

We serve and sell Fair Trade Coffee and Tea.

ImageOur fellowship hour after church is perhaps one of the most important and beloved times our community has together. It gives us the opportunity to connect with one another on a weekly basis. The time spent at coffee hour is often the time when people first get to meet our pastor, or the moment that life time friendships begin. This is sacred time, and we realize that this special time must also reflect our values.

Coffee is one of the most heavily traded commodities, it is a direct link between our community and farming communities around the world. You may not realize that the small farmers who grow our coffee struggle to make a simple living. Sadly, most of our coffee comes from some of the poorest of countries in Latin America, Africa and Asia. They are forced to accept low prices for their coffee, and while they are actively producing, they do not gain the kind of profit they deserve, and end up trapped in a cycle of debt. Many lack access to adequate housing, healthcare and education.

 

So, by actively choosing to buy fairly trade coffee and tea, we make a difference in the lives of the farmers and their families. We buy the coffee we serve from Fair Trade companies like Equal Exchange. By paying a fair price, working with democratic cooperatives, offering affordable credit and supporting sustainable agriculture Equal Exchange helps farmers to build better lives for themselves and their families.

 We serve fair trade coffee and tea during our fellowship hour, and sell packaged coffee and tea (and sometimes chocolate) for you to enjoy at home too! One thing we’ve learned about Fair Trade Coffee --- nothing tastes better than a cup of justice!

 

Save Darfur

Our congregation is appalled by the genocide in Darfur and is intentional about standing in opposition to the violence, murder, and outrageous activity that has killed thousands and displaced millions of people in the Sudan. Over the last year we have held educational events, collected special offerings, and invited our members and friends to be a part of the millions who oppose genocide and call for an end to this violence. Enough! Please join us in trying to Save Darfur! We pray for peace worldwide, and especially in this ravaged land.

 Last September we hosted the executive director of the Genocide Intervention Network, Mark Hanis to talk with us about the situation in Darfur.  We are always looking for ways we can get involved in ending this violence, and hope that you would like to join us in this quest for peace. 

 

 

Local Justice Issues

Our Pastor, Rev. Sarah Halverson, works regularly with low wage workers in Orange County, working for better pay, affordable housing, and accessible health care. As a member of Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice (CLUE), and Progressive Christians Uniting (PCU), she often represents the faith community on the front lines. She has stood in solidarity with hotel workers, grocery workers, laundry workers, cafeteria workers and hospital workers as they seek fair representation, wages, and adequate health coverage. She also works with Orange County Communities Organized for Responsible Development (OCCORD) to ensure that lower income families have opportunities to work and live in Orange County. Interested in learning more? Contact our pastor at revsarah@ocfairviewchurch.org