The FAN Governing Board and Staff are delighted to announce the appointment of Dr. Joyce del Rosario as the new Executive Director of the Faith Action Network, beginning November 1. Dr. del Rosario brings a wealth of experience to her new role and a relational, collaborative work style to help us move FAN into a new chapter that builds on the successes of the past and broadens our network for the future.

Dr. Rosario writes:

I am deeply honored to have been chosen by the board and staff of FAN to lead us into the next season. I have grown up in Washington and have deep roots in Seattle. I believe that the teachings of our diverse faith traditions and commitments to social justice inform each other and call us all to action. I believe my work in community development, non-profit, and higher education management has prepared me to join the wonderful advocacy work at FAN. I have taught graduate level classes in Social Transformation in Action and Social Change Field Work and I am excited to be back "walking the talk" as they say. More than anything, I am eager to get to know the faith communities and organizations in FAN's network and learn how we can bring justice and equity to our neighbors and neighborhoods.

There will be many opportunities to meet Joyce over the coming months, but we especially hope you will plan to attend FAN’s annual dinner on Sunday, November 17!

Highlights from Dr. Joyce del Rosario’s career:

• Director of Multi Ethnic Programs at Seattle Pacific University, Seattle, WA, 2022-2024.
• Assistant Professor and Director of Community Engaged Learning, Pacific School of Religion, Berkeley, CA, 2019-2022. Teaching "Social Transformation in Action" and "Social Change Field Work", and equipping students to create projects that positively impact LGBTQ+ folks, people of color, and other underrepresented communities.
• Executive Director, New Creation Home, East Palo Alto, CA, 2010 – 2015. Providing housing and support services for mostly Latina and African American teen moms and their children.
• Education:                                                                                  Masters of Theology (2016) and Doctor of Philosophy (2019), Fuller School of Intercultural Studies                                                                  Masters of Divinity, Princeton Theological Seminary, 2000.              Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communication, University of Washington, 1996

Welcome Dr. Joyce del Rosario!

May the Spirit bless our new work together!

Understanding the Impacts of United States Indian Boarding Schools

If you would like to register last-minute for this presentation, please contact Elizabeth Dickinson, dickinson@fanwa.org, and she will send you a zoom link.

Aldersgate Townhall, See details below!

What an amazing Faith & Labor Reunion event we had recently! Over 50 faith and labor leaders attended. Thank you Unite Here! Local 8, SEIU6 Property Services NW, MLK labor, The Church Council of Greater Seattle, UFCW 3000, APRI Seattle Chapter and Faith Action Network for organizing! 

This event was about more than just reflecting on past victories. It’s about sparking a conversation for the future, a conversation that asks: What can a fusion of faith and labor achieve in Washington during this crucial election season and beyond? As we built relationships here today, we identified concrete opportunities for solidarity and action, making sure our shared values of justice, dignity, and equity guide us forward. 

Excellent Moderator, Panelists and Speakers:

-Kristin Ang, FAN Policy Engagement Director

-Liliana Fausto, WAISN on Unemployment insurance for all 

-Calvin Jones, Defend Washington on the 4 state ballot initiatives

-Rev Dr Kelle J Brown, Lead Pastor at Plymouth Church in Seattle, known for her commitment to social justice, equity, and inclusion

-Imam Mohamud Adan, Spiritual leader and organizer with the Drivers Union, part of Seattle’s gig economy movement. Based at the Abu Bakr mosque, he plays a key role in advocating for the rights of rideshare and delivery drivers, many of whom are immigrants and people of color. 

-Tom Dustin Lambro, Legislative and Political Director for UFCW 3000 and President of MLK Labor. 

-Rev. Steve Jerbi, Director of the Organizing for Mission Network, a group that mobilizes faith communities for social justice.

-Gabriel Prawl Sr., President of the Seattle chapter of the A. Philip Randolph Institute (APRI), an organization dedicated to promoting racial equality and economic justice, especially for Black workers.

Thank you to all the planning team members and FAN advocates who helped support this energizing event! If you would like to hear about more events like this in the future, e-mail fan@fanwa.org .

VOLUNTEER: As you know, the Faith Action Network is recommending a NO vote on all four statewide ballot initiatives, as a way of embracing our values of justice, equity and interconnectedness with the earth and each other. All four No campaigns need volunteers for the final communications push in October. You can make a big difference by signing up to volunteer with a campaign you care about:

https://no2066.org/

https://www.no2109.org/

https://no2117.com/

https://www.noon2124.org/

LEARN MORE: FAN Says No to Initiatives Educational Forum

Tuesday, October 22nd, 5:30- 6:30 pm
On ZOOM

There are four consequential state-wide initiatives on the ballot this fall, I-2109, I-2117, I-2124 and I-2066. Join us in learning more about them and the harm they would cause working families, our environment, and our communities if passed.

Register Now

We are committed to voicing the values of our many faith traditions in the electoral process. 

We celebrate the 24 faith communities in our state who are encouraging voting and civic engagement this election year through the 100% Voting Faith Communities Campaign! You too can still join. Many faith traditions highlight the importance of voting in preserving community well-being and the common good in democracy. The Network of 100% Voting Faith Communities Campaign is a community space to share ideas, tools, and peer support. Whether you are a leader authorized to take action on behalf of your faith community or an individual willing to organize your faith community to participate, you are invited! Please read more information on this document and fill out the form to join the campaign. You can also access our Voting & Civic Engagement page.

Signs for participating faith communities are available now, and will be sent or dropped off by early next week; if you are willing to pick yours up, please contact us at fan@fanwa.org.

Cluster/Regional Gatherings

Finally! we are able to work around the demands of the election and invite you to in-person regional gatherings in Vancouver and the Seattle area! In these meetings we will:

• debrief our efforts and feelings around the election
• further develop relationships of solidarity(and rapid response networks) for post-election challenges,
• share our movement's priorities for action in the 2025 legislative session, and
• begin local district planning for advocacy, education and public action.

Elizabeth would love your ideas and planning help. Please let her know if you are interested! dickinson@fanwa.org

Sunday November 10, 3:30-5:30 pm, Vancouver area, Orchards United Methodist Church (11000 NE Fourth Plain Blvd. Vancouver WA)

Sunday November 24, 2-3:30 pm, South Seattle area

Sunday December 1, 2-3:30 pm, North Seattle area

Specific locations in Seattle to be determined. Seattle and environs folks are welcome to attend either of the two regional meetings, whichever works best for you.

Please look for registration forms coming soon.

Keep FAN's advocacy strong! Donate today.

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