First Congregational United Church of Christ in Platteville and Wisconsin Faith Voices for Justice are sponsoring a three-part workshop, “Moving from Charity to Justice: A Workshop in Advocacy.”

This workshop is designed to help faith communities learn how to advocate for social justice by teaching specific skills for letter-writing, legislator lobbying and using government websites to find current information about political decisions.

The workshop will be presented by Rabbi Bonnie Margulis from Wisconsin Faith Voices for Justice at First Congregational, 80 Market St., Wednesday, May 6, 13 and 20 from 7 to 9 p.m. Participants are encouraged to attend all three sessions but the workshop is designed for each session to stand alone.  Register for the sessions by contacting the office of the UCC church at 608-348-6578 or e-mail uccplatt@yahoo.com by May 1. A $5 registration fee for materials will be collected at the time of the workshop.

“Social justice is a fundamental concern of the majority of faith traditions, manifested both through service and through activism,” said Ann Dolan, one of the conference organizers. “If you are frustrated with the Governor’s proposed budget cuts, the waste of public dollars and implied humiliation by drug testing for food stamp recipients, reduction in services for senior citizens, etc., then this workshop may be just the right venue for you to learn how to constructively present your views to elected officials and make a positive change in the world.”

For questions about the workshop, contact Dolan, 723-7955, or Rev. Zayna Thompson, pastorzayna@yahoo.com.