A Call to Action from the Student Session

Christmas is almost here. Or, if you’ve been in Target, you’ve seen that the Christmas season has already arrived! As commercials kick off for the latest and greatest products you need to have, we ask you to think about what it means to be a Christian and consumer. As Jesus reminds us in Mt. 25:24, “You cannot serve God and wealth.” Christ is clear, it is God, not goods, who we are to serve and dedicate our lives to. This holiday season, we encourage you to make this a time for spiritual reflection about the God you are called to serve and for ethical action in regards to the goods you choose, or choose not, to buy.

On Monday, November 5, 2012, the McCormick Student Session voted in favor of boycotting all Israeli goods made in the occupied Palestine territories. Through this action, the Session calls on all McCormick students to boycott Israeli goods made in the occupied Palestinian territories, including Sodastream and Ahava beauty products.  This boycott is intended to raise awareness about and pressure Israel to end its illegal settlements and human rights abuses in Palestine. 

As Christians, we are called to stand against injustice, including in our lives as consumers. We, the Student Session, ask you to participate in this boycott as a means of showing solidarity with the people of Palestine who are suffering under Israel’s illegal occupation of its land, abuse of its people, and use of its resources.

As we work to follow Jesus’ call in Matthew, let us reflect on what it means to be Christians as we celebrate Christ’s birth. For some of us, this might mean choosing purchase less material goods and instead, giving more of our time, energy, and talents to the people who matter most to us. For others, we may choose to give gifts as a way of showing love and gratitude to family and friends. In either case, let us always seek to serve God in our actions and to use the gifts and power that we have been given—including our financial resources and power as consumers—to work for peace with justice in the world.  As we celebrate the gift of Christ that has been given to us, let us remain conscious of every present that goes under the Christmas tree.

To learn more about this boycott and/or how you can get further involved, visit: www.whoprofits.org, www.stolenbeauty.org, www.theipmn.org. 

Questions? Contact the Student Session at session@go.mccormick.edu.

Faithfully,
McCormick Student Session