Public forum to examine social justice issues

The Religious Alliance In Nevada (RAIN), a coalition of several mainline Christian denominations, is sponsoring a public forum to examine social justice issues likely to arise when the Nevada legislature convenes next year.

The Nevada Christian Social Impact Conference will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 10 at Christ the Servant Lutheran Church, 2 S. Pecos Road, Henderson.

RAIN acts as a public advocate on behalf of church members and other Nevadans in addressing issues related to social justice.

Participating denominations are: The Episcopal Church USA, through the Episcopal Diocese of Nevada; The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, through the Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Nevada; The Presbyterian Church, through the Nevada Presbytery; the Nevada Roman Catholic Conference, made up of the dioceses of Las Vegas and Reno; and the United Methodist Church, through the California-Nevada Conference, Nevada-Sierra District and Desert Southwest Conference, North District.

"Our purpose is to advocate for social justice issues and really make some changes," said Deacon Bonnie Polley of Christ Church Episcopal in Las Vegas.

Toward that end, RAIN issues position statements, lobbies legislators and asks members of participating denominations for both prayer and assistance.

"We are a consensus group," Polley says, but "we find that the five mainline traditions, although we sometimes come at it from a little different ways, we really end up in the same place."

During the conference, participants will discuss and "try to make known some of the issues that we plan to address in the legislature," Polley says.

Among areas to be discussed are: criminal justice and programs for inmates who are preparing to re-enter society; affordable housing; foster child care programs; and budget cuts that may affect vulnerable segments of the population.

Scheduled speakers include government officials and others who can offer perspective on the issues.

Underlying the mission of RAIN, Polley says, is the conviction that "as people of faith, we are called to address these issues and work as a changing agent."

The forum is open to the public. Registration should be made by Tuesday, although persons also may attend the day of the event. The $15 registration fee covers the cost of lunch, although the fee can be waived for persons who can't afford to pay it, Polley said.

For more information, call the Rev. Diane Drach-Meinel at Christ the Servant Lutheran Church, 263-0802. For more information about RAIN, visit the group's Web site (www.RainNv.org).