Thanks to a concerned group of Assembly attendees at Portland in 2005, a small and dedicated group of Disciples from across the country met in April 21 via telephone, to begin the work of organizing a Disciples Farm Worker Ministry.

Those participating on that telephone call were Jim Burton, Garnett Day, Ann Marie Coleman, Don Coleman, Alan Hilberg, Arnold Nelson, Bill Nottingham and Audrey Spindle. After agreeing to the organization's name, they developed a mission statement which is as follows:

"Disciples Farm Worker Ministry (DFWM) will provide an avenue for Disciples, and Disciples congregations, with a passionate interest in farm worker issues, to become involved in those issues. DFWM will also provide information and education for those Disciples and Disciples congregations."

The committee voted to accept a membership structure within the following framework: "It is suggested that membership dues be $25, but anyone who wishes to join may give dues that are appropriate for them and their circumstances."

The organizing committee plans a four-fold slate of initial activities for DFWM: a quarterly newsletter, an "issues alert" system for individuals and congregations, a summer intern program, and a booth and activities for the 2007 General Assembly in Ft. Worth, Texas.

Garnett Day will serve as the DFWM liaison to the Disciples Justice Action Network, and Audrey Spindle will advocate for DFWM with the Disciples Peace Fellowship.  Alan Hilberg agreed to begin organizing a presence along with activities for the 2007 General Assembly.

The organization of Disciples Farm Worker Ministry has thus far enjoyed support from a far-flung group of faithful activists.  In addition to the planting labor of Jim Burton (who has volunteered to be the Disciples' representative to National Farm Worker Ministry board), Johnny Wray of Week of Compassion has agreed that organization will fund a DFWM intern for the summer of 2007.  Both Jennifer Riggs, Director of Refugee and Immigration Ministries at DHM, and Edie Russell, United Church of Christ Justice and Witness Ministries, have generously provided information and educational resources to further the work of DFWM.

As the ministry has evolved, other interested Disciples, including Vaughn Beckman, Amy Cates, Holli Christensen, Angela Hermann, Linda Houston, Corry Kidwell, Carolyn McLemore and Samuel Murray, have joined in the work of sowing and cultivating this important new witness on behalf of farm laborers.