POWER Metro, the new suburban chapter of Philadelphia-based, interfaith organization POWER, is excited to announce its upcoming founding convention. Building on the critical work for equality and social justice begun by POWER Philadelphia, POWER Metro seeks to expand the opportunities for social justice work beyond the city’s limits and into surrounding counties. POWER Metro brings together a rich tapestry of Pennsylvanians who are united in their commitment to put their faith into action by lifting up the most vulnerable among us.
While there are many problems facing the city of Philadelphia, the issues of poverty, crime, homelessness, dysfunctional public education, and other challenges are not unique to the city alone. POWER Metro’s effort to ameliorate the devastating effects of inequality and injustice is rooted in interfaith fellowship and direct action to push public policy makers to initiate serious and lasting reforms that will transform the lives of ordinary Pennsylvanians for the better.
The POWER interfaith organization already boasts a number of successes in its short history. POWER has played a crucial role in promoting the adoption of a fair funding formula in Pennsylvania that would help to equalize per-pupil funding throughout the state. POWER was also responsible for raising pay and benefits for 1,500 concessions workers at the Philadelphia International Airport. Dwayne Royster, the executive director of POWER, is optimistic about the opportunities that POWER Metro will afford Pennsylvanians to expand the impact of such social justice measures: “POWER Philadelphia looks forward to welcoming POWER Metro into our family of faith-based organizing congregations. Together we will do great work to change our region so that all of our communities work for every person.”
POWER Metro includes member congregations from a variety of faith traditions, representing the rich diversity of Pennsylvanian religious life. POWER Metro congregations are as follows:
- Beth Am Israel (Penn Valley)
- Norristown Church of God
- North Penn Mosque (Lansdale)
- Ascension UCC (Norristown)
- Zion Baptist (Ardmore)
- Trinity UCC (Pottstown)
- Gladwyne Presbyterian
- St. Luke United Methodist Church (Bryn Mawr)
- Falkner Swamp UCC (Gilbertsville)
- Congregation Or Ami (Lafayette Hill)
- First Baptist Wayne
- Hope Community Church (King of Prussia)
- Calvary Baptist (Norristown)
- Glenside UCC
- Bethlehem Baptist (Spring House)
- St. Rose of Lima (North Wales)
David Tatgenhorst, minister of St. Luke United Methodist Church in Bryn Mawr, had this to say about POWER Metro: “The POWER Metro organization is the most important faith-based, non-partisan coalition that has been organized in the Philadelphia suburbs in decades. This powerful effort to advocate for equitable funding for our schools and decent wages for workers promises to provide a voice for people all over the Philadelphia region.”
POWER Metro welcomes all to its founding convention who want to see what faith in action looks like for themselves. Come join us as we work to make our vision of equality and social justice for all Pennsylvanians a living reality.
