| The
Bible speaks about poverty: Romans 12:3-8
– 3 For by the grace
given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you
ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith
that God has assigned. 4 For as in one body we have many members, and
not all the members have the same function, 5 so we, who are many, are
one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. 6 We
have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to
faith; 7 ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; 8 the
exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the
compassionate, in cheerfulness.
Poverty datebook for today:
"Wednesday In Washington" 1 p.m. rally at the
U.S. Capitol in support of the "Act to Leave No Child Behind."
Co-sponsored by NCC and Children's Defense Fund as one of a series of CDF Wednesday events
to provide a public witness in support of the Campaign to Leave No
Child Behind. Contact the Rev. Dr. Eileen W.
Lindner, 212-870-2333.
TANF Action Days for Poverty Reduction open at 4 p.m.
at National City Christian Church (see March 14 for details). For information,
contact Mary Anderson Cooper,
202-544-2350.
"Addressing the issue of poverty as a faith
community," a focus group sponsored by The Church Federation of Indianapolis, to
present the complete results of the needs assessment conducted in November of 2001.
Participants will be invited to share ideas, concerns, and recommendations for the
proposed Loaves and Fishes Advocacy Network. Contact: John Sheppard at the Church Federation
at 317-926-5371
"Interfaith Vigils for Public Education in 10 Cities
Across Pennsylvania," sponsored by Good Schools Pennsylvnia. Asserting that "to eliminate
poverty, be sure all children get a good education," the 4 p.m. vigils will point out
the disparity of educational opportunities for poor children. Vigil locations:
Allentown, Erie, Harrisburg, Lancaster, McKeesport, Northeast Philadelphia, Pittsburgh,
Schuylkill Haven, Warminster and West Chester. Contact Donna at 215-332-2700; donna@goodschoolspa.org
Good works that 'work':
The Greater Minneapolis Council of Churches
(GMCC) is observing anniversaries of several of its 10 programs to help struggling
Minnesota families living with little, including the annual
statewide food drive. In the view of GMCC, "It would be much more
rewarding to celebrate the end of hunger, homelessness and poverty. But that is not to be.
At least not yet." |
Poverty
by the numbers: In 2001, the poverty threshold
for a family of four (two adults, two children) was $17,960; for a family of three (two
adults, one child), it was $14,255 (U.S.
Census) The Joint Economic Committee of the Congress has concluded that a
standard 50 percent above the official U.S. poverty threshold would meet the criterion of
minimal adequacy. (National Jobs for All
Coalition)
Preaching about poverty:
"How
Do You Help?" Harry J. Van Buren III,
instructor at the University of North Iowa, Cedar Falls, and staff to the Social
Responsibility in Investments program of The Episcopal Church. This sermon appeared in
Pulpit Digest. |
