Social Justice Advocacy
Social Justice advocacy at Village is deeply rooted in the Presbyterian belief that Jesus Christ made it clear in his teachings we have an ethical responsibility to engage in issues of social justice. Village actively addresses and promotes compassionate community engagement and education on a variety of issues through initiatives like Village for Gun Sense, Immigration Advocacy, Anti-Racism, as well as Environmental Justice and Voter Education efforts. We welcome all who share an interest in learning more.
Focus Areas
Gun Violence Prevention
Village for Gun Sense
The Presbyterian Church (USA) has committed to leading the national effort to end gun violence, calling 2022-2032 “The Decade to End Gun Violence.” In agreement with this call, Village for Gun Sense advocates against unregulated access to firearms and gathers regularly to address community safety concerns and participate in education opportunities. We meet on the second Thursday of each month.
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Racial Justice
Building Beloved Community
Village Church believes fighting racial inequality begins with examining your own heart and mind and educating yourself regarding cultural biases. We are committed to pursuing racial justice starting with ourselves and extending to our community, our nation, and the earth. As part of this commitment, Village formed the Building Beloved Community committee, which engages in community education, research and collaboration with local antiracism organizations. We meet on the second Monday of each month.
Environmental Justice
Earth Care Congregation
Since 2011, Village Church has been a certified Earth Care Congregation through the PC(USA), integrating environmental practices and thinking in worship, education, facilities and outreach. Village is committed to reducing its carbon footprint through energy efficiency improvements, with the ultimate goal of having zero carbon emissions. Our call is to promote earth-keeping within and beyond the walls of our church.
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Voter Education
Village Votes
We actively encourage participation in democratic processes, regardless of political party or belief. On societal issues Village Church aligns with the stated beliefs of the PC(USA), but more importantly, we recognize the invaluable gift we have been given in our democratic government and encourage congregants to become active, enthusiastic participants.
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Immigrant Advocacy
Guided by our faith’s call to welcome the stranger and the belief in the inherent dignity of all people, we stand with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to advocate for the rights of immigrants, migrants, and refugees and for compassionate and just immigration laws and processes. We work to inform our congregation on immigration issues, support immigrant congregations in Heartland Presbytery, and collaborate with community organizations to respond to these complex issues from a faith and justice perspective. We meet on the last Tuesday of each month.
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Good Faith Network
Village is proud to be a member of the Good Faith Network, an interfaith justice organization composed of more than 25 congregations across three faith traditions in Johnson County, Kansas with a mission of pursuing justice around our community’s most pressing problems.
Matthew 25 Congregation
Village Church is recognized as a Matthew 25 Congregation by the Presbyterian Church (USA). We have joined over 1,100 other congregations worldwide in this movement that centers on these three focus areas: building congregational vitality, dismantling structural racism and eradicating systemic poverty. This work is a direct response to the good news of Jesus and a faithful expression of what it means to be Christ’s disciples in this time and place.
A Legacy of Activism
In 1965 and 1966, Dr. Bob Meneilly, founding pastor of Village Church, delivered several sermons urging his all-white congregation to welcome African American residents into their suburban neighborhoods and church. These messages prompted several complimentary letters but also a flood of hate mail. Dr. Bob stood firm in his beliefs about equal rights. He spoke out in newspapers, at meetings and from his pulpit. In a 2012 oral history, Meneilly reflected on the impact of his civil rights preaching: “It was very hard for some people. We lost 300 members one year.”
Today, we are are actively committed to continuing the legacy begun by Dr. Bob in the 1960s and continue to do everything possible to live toward Dr. King’s “Beloved Community.”
