Ecumenical Poverty Initiative is proud to announce that we have endorsed the Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival. In state capitols and Washington, D.C., policies that promote systemic racism, poverty, the war economy, and ecological devastation are threatening our democracy and decaying our national morality. We refuse to be silent in the face […]
Committing to the Common Good: The Faith Community’s Role in Addressing Predatory Lending
This article has been adapted from a reflection by Reverend Ebony Grisom at a Faith for Just Lending convening in January. Faith for Just Lending is a national coalition of faith-based institutions working to end predatory payday lending. Learn more about how predatory payday lending harms families and communities here. I’ve been reading Nehemiah for the past […]
Copeland-Tune Named Director of Ecumenical Poverty Initiative
Rev. Dr. Leslie Copeland-Tune has been named director of the Ecumenical Poverty Initiative (EPI), an anti-poverty ministry led by an active partnership of ecumenical leaders from diverse denominational, geographical, racial, and ethnic backgrounds, which adds a prophetic voice and collective action to the fight to end poverty. Dr. Copeland-Tune, who has been serving as the […]
ENOUGH: Virtual Mass Meetings for Faith and Community Leaders
People of Faith Say ENOUGH! The Time is Now! Faith and community leaders are gathering weekly for virtual mass meetings to build a movement that breaks down barriers to economic and racial justice. The “We Say ENOUGH” campaign is calling for a moral response to the deepening disparities and injustice poor and disenfranchised people are experiencing in […]
Major Ecumenical Bodies Raise Concerns About House Republicans Poverty Plan
Leaders of faith-based organizations are responding to the plan released by House Speaker Paul Ryan and the House Republican Poverty, Opportunity and Upward Mobility Task Force with appreciation for the effort made to alleviate poverty but with deep concerns about the negative impacts some of the plan’s policy recommendations would have on the nation’s […]
Stop Predatory Lending: Tell Your Story
Ecumenical Poverty Initiative is joining with the Faith for Just Lending coalition and others in the faith community to stand up for the most economically vulnerable and to stop predatory payday lenders. So many people who needed help during an emergency or to cover the costs of unexpected expenses, have found themselves spiraling into deeper […]
EPI Co-Sponsors Senate Hearing on CFPB’s Proposed Payday Lending Rule
The Ecumenical Poverty Initiative was a co-sponsor of a briefing for Senate staff on small-dollar loans, including payday, auto title, deposit advance products, and installment loans. Rev. Sekinah Hamlin, EPI’s director, was one of the speakers at the briefing, which was held on Monday, June 13 in the Dirksen Senate Building. EPI is urging […]
EPI Calls on CFPB to Strengthen Payday Lending Rule
Washington, D.C., June 14, 2016—The Ecumenical Poverty Initiative (EPI) has applauded the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) release of a rule that would govern payday lending and curtail predatory practices that have resulted in a vicious cycle of debt for low-income borrowers. In a briefing for Senate staffers yesterday about the proposed rule, EPI […]
Lift Every Voice! Racism, Class & Power — Ecumenical Advocacy Days 2016
The presidential election year cycle is well underway and the Ecumenical Poverty Initiative is sponsoring one of the most important events of the year. Ecumenical Advocacy Days is a national gathering and Lobby Day for Christians from across the U.S. It will be held from Friday, April 15- Monday, April 17, 2016 in the nation’s […]
Standing with Women and Families Forum
Join Ecumenical Poverty Initiative and the Women’s Equality Center for the Standing with Women and Families Forum: Organizing for Power in the Gender Gap, which will be held on Saturday, March 5, 2016 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. at St. Matthews United Methodist Church in Greensboro, N.C. This forum brings together women of faith, organizations and […]
