Celebrate World Fair Trade Day

World Fair Trade Day is Saturday, May 10, and congregations and communities are celebrating all month long. People in 70 countries around the world will hold events such as Fair Trade food tastings, house parties, speakers, festivals, concerts, and fashion shows to mark the day and highlight the importance and benefits of Fair Trade.

A number of organizations in the US are working together to make WFTD 2008 the largest celebration of its kind. Many communities are celebrating WFTD over a period of two weeks, May 3-18, America’s First Fair Trade Fortnight. Plan an event or participate in one of more than 100 events taking place around the nation.

World Fair Trade Day is endorsed by IFAT (the International Fair Trade Association), a global association of over 300 organizations in 70 countries.

Learn more about PC(USA) involvement in fair trade and economic and environmental justice through the Presbyterian Coffee Project, the Global Marketplace, the Campaign for Fair Food, Sweat-Free Ts and Just Trade.

'Enough for Everyone' song!

Bryan Field McFarland's latest CD, All that Matters, includes the song "Enough for Everyone." The song is a beautiful lyrical testament to the reality that there is enough for everyone. The song reflects a strong sense of call to share our resources with one another. Instead of wasting our abundance, we can share our excess to ensure there is enough for everyone. A portion of every CD will benefit Enough for Everyone and the Presbyterian Hunger Program. Read the review of All that Matters by Presbyterians Today. If you are interested in purchasing or downloading the CD, you can visit CD Baby's online store or Apple's iTunes store. We hope you enjoy this wonderful new resource!

Living as global disciples: six creative hands-on actions for congregations

Presbyterian Coffee Project

Enjoy fellowship and an excellent cup of coffee while reaching out to communities in the coffee-growing world. Congregations that participate are supporting fair trade — ensuring that more of our "coffee dollar" goes to the farmers who do the work. Fair trade complements Presbyterian mission with farmers around the world. Order a free brochure.

Electric Stewardship

Practice responsible stewardship of God's creation by becoming an Energy Steward Congregation. Energy audits can identify concrete actions (such as changing light fixtures) that save your church money and reduce the impact of energy use on the natural environment. Order a free brochure.

Sweat-Free T-shirts

When your church, presbytery or camp prints t-shirts, why not use Sweat-Free? Most apparel we purchase is manufactured under harsh working conditions in sweatshops. There are alternatives. Check out our list of "sweat-free" companies whose employees receive fair wages, benefits and treatment. Order a free brochure.

Oikocredit

Invest church funds in Oikocredit, which provides credit to low-income communities, enabling them to become economically self-supporting. Order a free brochure.

Eco-Palm Project

Purchase responsibly harvested eco-palm branches for Palm Sunday. The palms come from communities in Mexico and Guatemala where workers are paid fairly and engage in sustainable harvesting in order to protect the local ecosystem.

Global Marketplace

Make the Global Marketplace partners your primary sources for gifts and products. Whether you are buying for yourself or for others, your purchases benefit not only the people who use and enjoy the items, but, perhaps most importantly, the people around the world who make them — and who often rely on our support to live their lives in dignity rather than poverty.