The Rev. Kerri Allen, outgoing chair of the Committee on Mission Responsibility Through Investment, reflects on the often faithful yet sometimes misunderstood work of the committee she led.
For nearly 30 years, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) through its Committee on Mission Responsibility Through Investment (MRTI) has worked to engage corporations to adopt better and more just environmental policies and practices to mitigate the escalating impact of climate change.
Fifty-three years after its first observance, Earth Day is an annual reminder that what we do to the Earth matters. It matters to humanity, and it matters to God. Being an Earth Care Congregation brings a sense of joy that exudes to anyone you speak to who serves their respective congregation in this capacity.
Whether we or our faith communities are investing a few dollars or millions, we can, with a little outside help and some of our own insights, advance our values through those investments.
An action aimed at Walgreens took center stage last week as the Presbyterian Committee on Mission Responsibility Through Investment (MRTI) continued its efforts to persuade the company to bring its practices in line with Presbyterian policy on the issue of reproductive health access.
Let’s celebrate 50 years of MRTI!
Half a century ago, Mission Responsibility Through Investment (MRTI) was created in recognition of the church’s unique opportunity to advance its mission faithfully and creatively through the financial resources entrusted to it. MRTI implements the General Assembly’s policies on socially responsible investing (also called faith-based investing) by engaging corporations in which the church owns stock.
This year, in recognition of its 50th anniversary, the team worked diligently to create a resource book, “Reflections on 50 Years of the Presbyterian Church as Investor,” to help document what has been done and help future committee members serve effectively.
As June drew to a close, leaders from the committee tasked with responsible investment for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) report a productive season with several notable achievements.
A half-hour Facebook Live broadcast highlighting Mission Responsibility Through Investment served to both look back at how socially-responsible corporate engagement efforts are helping to reduce climate change and look ahead at what’s in store during the 225th General Assembly.
The Presbyterian Committee on Mission Responsibility Through Investment (MRTI) is part of an investors group that successfully persuaded Tyson Foods to conduct a racial equity audit.
