| The
Bible speaks about poverty: Proverbs 14:20-21
– 20 The
poor are disliked even by their neighbors, but the rich have many friends. 21 Those
who despise their neighbors are sinners, but happy are those who are kind to the poor.
Poverty datebook for today:
The Uniform Series International Bible Lessons
for Christian Teaching are used by publishers to create resources for thousands
of congregations, highlighting biblical reflections on issues that include poverty,
justice, hunger, homelessness and discipleship. A program of the NCC's Ministries in
Christian Education, the Committee on the Uniform Series 2007-2010 Planning Team meets in
Orlando, Fla., March 15-17, followed by the 130th Anniversary Celebration and Annual
Meeting March 17-21. Contact Barbara Tilley;
212-870-2151.
Good works that 'work':
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, with some five million
members, initiated a Ministry Among People in Poverty project in 1999.
Among goals: to transform members' attitudes and behavior toward people who are poor. One
way to achieve this goal is to make sure that low-income individuals share in
decision-making in the church. During March and April 2002, focus groups of people in
poverty are being convened in four locations around the country to discover barriers and
bridges to the participation of low-income people in decision-making in various church
venues. Once the research is completed, funds will be used to train and enable people in
poverty to be at the table. For more information on this and other programs, such as
the ELCA's support for domestic relief and development work nationwide, contact the Rev.
John Halvorson at jhalvors@elca.org or log
on to www.elca.org |
Poverty
by the numbers: 
Every 44 seconds in the United States, a baby is born into poverty. Every
minute, a baby is born without health insurance. (Children's Defense Fund)
Preaching about poverty:
"'The
Prize' in Paul's Teachings." The Rev. Dr. Leon Spencer, an Episcopal priest and Executive Director of
the Washington Office on Africa. |
