We are Abolitionists
What does it mean to be a modern day abolitionist? At St. Paul’s we believe that our daily choices reflect our values, and that we need to educate ourselves as to the effects that our choices have on the dignity of every human being. So, we took a pledge to be mindful of our consumption so that it doesn’t support or promote modern day slavery, including human trafficking.
Ethical Choices
We have Fair Trade Sales each month to provide a place for congregants to purchase fair trade items that are the most common items that could be harvested with slave labor, guaranteeing their ethical and fair-paid wages to farmers and workers in the process. This includes chocolate, coffee, tea and olive oil.
Check our CALENDAR to see when our next fair trade sales day is (after church on Sunday once per month!) And feel good about purchasing fair trade!
Joanne, Abolitionist Ministry Leader
“I really enjoy selling Fair Trade because I strongly believe it changes lives for the better. It's a way we can make a difference and give small farmers around the world fair prices. This helps families to provide for their children and keep them in school. The products are organic and safe for workers and consumers.”
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I have traveled a lot throughout Latin America and saw so much poverty and suffering because workers did not receive fair wages for their labor. My blinders came off when I understood how children were forced to work on tea and coffee plantations instead of going to school. Throughout this area and now especially in Africa, the production of chocolate is a huge problem for workers especially children. I strongly felt God's call to help make a difference. I also enjoy giving friends gifts of these products, and now they buy directly from the Equal Exchange! What I love about the Equal Exchange is that they donate fifteen cents for every pound of fair trade products that we purchase to Episcopal Relief and Development. - Joanne
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Last year, we decided to give the Family Justice Center a gift of $2,000 from our sales to help women and children who have suffered domestic violence. This donation also helps women in the area who have been victims of human trafficking. - Joanne
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Visit our recommended websites and learn more about how your choices can contribute to the dignity of other human beings.