THEME HIGHLIGHTS FROM “FAITH IN ACTION”

WORLD CAFÉ WORKSHOP
October 19, 2025

Approximately 35 community members participated in a “World Café” style forum.
Rotating discussion groups of approximately 5-6 each first identified shared
spiritual/faith-based values; then, identified local systemic injustices that particularly
impact those in our communities who are economically disadvantaged and/or
marginalized, and articulated actions based on shared values to reduce injustices.

1. These questions were presented to learn about shared spiritual/faith-based
values:

What do we identify as shared spiritual/faith-based values in regard
to those who are economically disadvantaged and/or marginalized?

What do shared spiritual/faith-based values have to say about justice
and responding to injustices?

THEMATIC OUTCOMES: Identified core shared values (number of
Group/table mentions):

Justice; treat people fairly; (5)
due process
Community (4)
Feed the poor Care for those in
need; (4)
Protecting our environment (3)
Empower those impacted (3)
Love, Welcoming (3)
Provide Sanctuary (safe spaces) (2)
Dignity, inherent worth;
meet people where they are (2)
Non-violence; Gun violence (2)
prevention
Acknowledge mistakes (1)

2. These questions were presented to identify local justice concerns that impact
our community and ways to put faith into action to address those concerns.
What do we identify as the most critical justice concerns in our local
community?

How can we, together, frame responses to identified concerns that
will put faith into action to advance justice?

THEMATIC OUTCOMES: identified areas of concern, and suggested actions:
Principal justice concerns:

Housing (6) (number of group/table mentions)
Immigration (5)
Food (insecurity) (4)
Medical. mental health care; (3)
monetized health care
Access to education (3)
Racism; stigmatization (3)
Lack of sustainable/living wages (2)
Ownership vs. Stewardship (1)

Putting faith into Actions:

General actions:
* Pray; * Write letters of support;
* Show up at meetings; * Get out the vote;
*Encourage community * Empower voices of those
engagement via education, most impacted;
grace, exhibiting love, * See something, say something
welcoming

Actions to address specific issues:
* Support living wages;
* Universal basic income (seek
non-profit support from
SB Foundation; Fund for SB;
* Support diversion – mental health/
drug rehabilitation;
* Support affordable housing
* Rent stabilization;
* Gun safety legislation