The following memo was used by one person to invite her congregation to join WRRCAT. Please feel free to adapt it as needed for your own congregation.
To: Board, [name of congregation]
From: Social Responsibility Committee
Subject: Invitation to Join the Washington Region Religious Campaign Against Torture
The Social Responsibility Committee requests that our congregation become a member of the Washington Region Religious Campaign Against Torture (WRRCAT). This memo provides background information on WRRCAT and describes how a congregation can join and what it means to become a member.
The Washington Region Religious Campaign Against Torture (WRRCAT) was formed in the winter of 2005-06 by an interfaith group of persons deeply concerned about the use of torture by the U.S. government. Members are men and women of faith and conscience, joined together on a non-partisan basis in profound opposition to torture and cruel and inhuman practices by anyone for any purpose.
Although the beliefs of WRRCAT founders are rooted in many different religions, and although they worship in different ways and in different languages, they stand firmly united and unswerving on this crucial moral issue.
As a grassroots organization, supported by its members, WRRCAT works in support of and in coordination with the National Religious Campaign Against Torture (see www.nrcat.org). We request that our congregation join WRRCAT.
What does it mean for a congregation to join WRRCAT? It means that the congregation takes a public stand against U.S.-sponsored torture. Specifically:
- A member congregation allows WRRCAT to list the congregation in its brochure and on its Web site as endorsing the demand to end U.S.-supported torture. That demand includes (a) an end to all U.S. torture of prisoners; (b) an end to renditions; (c) the closure of all secret prisons; and (d) a call for an independent commission to investigate human rights abuses at U.S. installations, including Guantanamo, Abu Ghraib, and Bagram Air Force Base.
A member congregation is asked to designate one or two individuals who can serve as contacts for WRRCAT information and events.
WRRCAT member congregations may also work towards an end to torture in the following ways:
(1) Sign onto the statement of the National Religious Campaign Against Torture (NRCAT) that "Torture is a Moral Issue" (attached). Congregations may sign onto the statement on the NRCAT Web site (www.nrcat.org).
(2) Encourage individual members of the congregation to sign the NRCAT statement.
(3) Encourage individual members of the congregation to participate in WRRCAT-sponsored events, such as vigils or workshops, and to become a part of the WRRCAT planning group or volunteer in other ways with WRRCAT.
(4) Explore issues related to torture within the congregation, for example, through special teach-ins, showing of DVDs, discussion forums, and book discussion groups.
For more information, you can contact Linda Gustitus at 202-363-3928, dcantitorture@verizon.net and see the WRRCAT Web site at www.wrrcat.org.
To join WRRCAT, we need to complete the attached form and return it to 4716 Ellicott St., NW, Washington, D.C., 20016.
Chair, Social Responsibility Committee
Attachments: