tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-265511791146423221.post797479754803894870..comments2023-10-28T02:59:37.028-07:00Comments on E m e r g i n g ...Q u a k e r i s m ..L i t e r a t u r e ..R e l i g i o n ... L i f e: How do we help?Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12396312339372162866noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-265511791146423221.post-69537433276642355232010-12-17T19:22:27.322-08:002010-12-17T19:22:27.322-08:00I think faith communities can do so much, and they...I think faith communities can do so much, and they don't have to do it in a fragmented, self-doubting way if they can cooperate with each other. <br /><br />In my smallish town (35,000) the churches have formed jointly run organizations that do the following:<br />1. Distribute food bank provisions<br />2. Distribute funds for paying rent, electricity, etc. during temporary emergencies (and also offer financial advice)<br />3. Provide lunch every day of the week (the Salvation Army provides dinner)<br />4. Provide beds (in the churches) for all homeless people who don't meet the rather strict requirements of the Salvation Army shelter between October and March<br />5. Lobby local government for improvements in education, transportation, healthcare, etc.<br /><br />I think we can say that no one could starve or freeze to death in our town if they were willing to ask for help, and the churches do far more than social services or any state agency to make sure that this is true. It's not enough but it's substantial and it requires a great deal of work and money and commitment and trust in each other. But the result is help that is both personal and reliable. The benefits to congregations have been far greater.<br /><br />RosemaryAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-265511791146423221.post-20067200149450909842010-12-17T14:17:43.002-08:002010-12-17T14:17:43.002-08:00This is a powerful pondering of what so many ponde...This is a powerful pondering of what so many ponder ... and it is not to be solved lightly.<br /><br />As with just about every difficult issue, there is a kind of both / and answer. And there is also a kind of vicious circle.<br /><br />The challenge of vulnerability -- others' and our own -- is huge, as it the challenge of availability -- to others and to God.<br /><br />That very thing about government help that lends itself to impartiality is threaded with impersonality. It gives "things" but does not give "life" The "things" are needed and helpful, but without the "life" that comes in the form of love and compassion and sacrifice, well ... it leads to other problems, doesn't it?<br /><br />This "problem" is so overwhelming is it much like the challenge of "How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time." One situation at a time ... one precious soul or family that God presents to us and asks: what will you do?<br /><br />The walk of faith versus sight is not for the faint of heart, eh? Do we, really, need to worry about whether there will be enough resource. Really?<br /><br />I am in no way piling on any kind of guilt here ... you know how this wee abbess is! But I am seriously yearning the the vision of CovenantClusters and the sharing of life and journey that leans into the risk of loving those whom God brings across out paths.<br /><br />I pray that you (and your whole meeting) will hear God speak clearly in your hearts and will trust Papa's provision for all of you ... especially these in need, all of whom Papa is especially fond.<br /><br />Love to you, Diane, at this precious time of pondering the amazing gift of love that came wrapped up as a poor outcast baby boy.AbiSomeonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08541511210479882916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-265511791146423221.post-73876429154521709972010-12-17T08:00:09.497-08:002010-12-17T08:00:09.497-08:00Here I am, idealistic. I find that folks who come ...Here I am, idealistic. I find that folks who come asking for money of food at meeting often have a lot too offer. I have had enough to do with poor folks to know how not to get scammed and how not to put myself in danger - and by the grace of God I don't think I have had to pass by anyone yet. <br />Jesus calls people to join a community. We have to learn to live as he lives: by the grace of God, feeding 5000 without any preparation. Lots of things about the way we live are broken but as I see it if we turn our backs on folks in need we have turned away from God. When we turn to God together things change profoundly.Alice Y.https://www.blogger.com/profile/16267449289432878102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-265511791146423221.post-68232441387380597372010-12-16T05:11:31.452-08:002010-12-16T05:11:31.452-08:00Hi Marshall,
I don't know what my meeting wil...Hi Marshall,<br /><br />I don't know what my meeting will be doing and won't find out for a few days, as I am driving to Greensboro ... I am in the position of being a member of the meeting but also only in this area for 2 years, so also essentially an outsider ... I mostly worry that the loss of gov't safety nets will put faith groups with limited resources in tough situations.Dianehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12396312339372162866noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-265511791146423221.post-3908995098917033972010-12-14T06:23:34.327-08:002010-12-14T06:23:34.327-08:00My first thought was that the good Samaritan of th...My first thought was that the good Samaritan of the parable didn’t just wring his hands.<br /><br />In the meetings I’ve belonged to, there would have been an immediate meeting of whichever committee was seen as most pertinent — Overseers, or Peace & Social Concerns — or of the Meeting as a whole, with this man, to clarify his precise relationship to Friends AND to ensure that the bare essentials (groceries, means of cooking them, blankets) were taken care of.<br /><br />What happened after that would depend on the man’s situation and on the Meeting’s. Obviously we are neither numerous enough nor wealthy enough to meet every material need we encounter, but we do have to answer to the Voice in our consciences —Marshall Massey (Iowa YM [C])http://journal.earthwitness.org/noreply@blogger.com