Category: Uncategorized

July 24, 2019, at the YWCA Wausau, Wi. During the press conference Naomi Release the statement:

  Good morning!  I am Pastor Bill Schruba.  I am a retired ELCA Lutheran pastor & Co-President of NAOMI.  NAOMI is a coalition of faith communities, individual people of faith & concerned citizens in northcentral WI.

        I am here to express our solidarity with Sadia & all those who have been subjected to harassment, intimidation, or violence on account of their race, creed or ethnic background.  

       We believe in the God-given dignity & infinite worth of all humans.  As people of faith, we are called to work for justice and liberation.  Racism, in any way shape or form, must not be tolerated. It is an evil we must face in our community.  It compels us, in whatever way possible, to build community, strengthen relationships & work for the common good of all in response to forces within society that seek to divide, demoralize, or silence us.  Complacency is not an option.

       As NAOMI, we take racial injustice seriously.  We have been engaged in a process of developing a statement on racial equity that will guide our practices, attitudes, & cultural messages as a coalition.  We are seeking to address issues of white privilege, language & prejudice so all members feel respect & are included.  

       Justice must not remain an ideal beyond our reach.  We encourage businesses, government, & community groups to join us in making justice a reality that touches the daily lives of their employees, constituents or members.  We encourage individuals as well to embody justice through words of kindness & acts of compassion.

       For us, anti-racism work is a lifelong spiritual journey.  We invite you to join us on this journey. The road ahead will not be easy.  As we walk side-by-side, we will find the strength & courage necessary to meet the challenges before us.  Together we can make a difference.

       Thank you.    

Come and See Gathering June 18, 2019

Want to experience the local work of NAOMI firsthand? Please come to our first-ever “Come and See Gathering” on June 18th at 7:00-8:30pm, Immanuel Lutheran Church, 630 Adams St. on Wausau’s east side. Refreshments will be served, and we will feature our new Environmental Task Force, including Transit. You will be able to meet local volunteers and learn more about this new initiative and there will be an opportunity for conversation and questions. Whether you are thinking about getting more involved or are simply curious about these issues and your own citizenship activities, you are most welcome!

Hope to see to there.  Please contact Naomi4justice@yahoo.com for more info.

Cordially, NAOMI Executive Committee

MAKE AN IMPACT

NAOMI is committed to bettering North Central Wisconsin through the work of our Task Forces on state and community issues alike.  If you share the same passion and values as us please feel free to join us at our Task Force meetings and make your impact!

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“There’s always a story. It’s all stories, really. The sun coming up every day is a story. Everything’s got a story in it. Change the story, change the world.” ― Terry Pratchett, A Hat Full of Sky

Who We Are

“Where you go I will go” Ruth 1:16

NAOMI stands for North central Area congregations Organized to Make an Impact. We aim to bring together communities of faith to create community, build leadership, and to identify and act on issues of injustice.

Faith communities covenanting with NAOMI are united based on shared values such as equality and human dignity. We work with congregations and people of faith in collaboration with community partners and public officials so all have a voice and a role in bringing about strong and just communities.

As an organization that works to address systemic change, we are often engaged in public as well as political affairs. A non-partisan group, NAOMI is comprised of members of all political parties; we do not endorse candidates or parties. We believe in the need to build relationships with all elected officials and in the need to hold public officials accountable, no matter what party they represent.