Our congregations continually look at issues in the life of our community to which we together as the congregations here in Lycoming County need to respond. Sometimes we are ready to respond with one voice and other times we need to listen to the many voices as we work to discern what God calls us to do.

Ministries that have grown out of this committee include our Shepherd of the Streets and our Food Pantry, the original Interfaith Hospitality Network which is now Family Promise, Habitat (in Lycoming County), the UPMC Chaplaincy Department, Helpline (now 211), the School Breakfast Programs, and Meals on Wheels.

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Some of the issues we work on today include:

  • Recycling – Ecology – Creation Care
  • Poverty – Responding with faith in all areas of our lives
  • CROP Walk
  • Fuel Bank
  • Disaster Response (flooding etc)
  • Peace and Justice and Nonviolence

Poverty: A Faith-Based Response

"For he rescues the poor when they cry out, the oppressed who have no one to help. He shows pity to the needy and the poor and saves the lives of the poor" (Psalm 72:12-13). Are we listening and responding? What more should we be doing through providing charity and advocating for justice? As we prepare to celebrate Christmas, let us pledge to do more for those experiencing poverty in our communities, nation, and the world.

 

Why Are U.S. Families Hungry? – Low-income households already spend a greater share of their income on food. Food accounts for 16.4 percent of spending for households making less than $10,000 per year compared to the U.S. average of 12.7 percent. A person working full-time at the minimum wage earns about $14,500 a year.

 

Approximately 13.5 percent of U.S. households — more than 47 million Americans, including nearly 14 million children — struggle to put food on the table. Here the measure of hunger is “food insecurity” — an ongoing uncertainty of where the next meal will come from. More than 1 in 5 U.S. children are at risk of hunger (1 in 3 among Black and Latino(a) children). To the surprise of many, most Americans (51.4 percent) will live in poverty at some point before age 65. (Source: www.bread.org/hunger-explained/hunger-in-the-u-s )

Creation Corner

"God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good" (Genesis 1:31 GB*). How do we view all of creation? How do we treat it?
* The Green Bible is an English version of the New Revised Standard Version Bible with a focus on environmental issues and teachings. Emphasizing what the publishers see as the Bible’s message on the environment, all passages mentioning the environment are printed in green ink to draw the reader’s attention. (Wikipedia)

Tips for Going Green by Gail

I recently completed a “lesson” through PSU Better Kid Care titled “Children’s Healthy Development in a Changing Climate.” There were four main sections addressed: AWARENESS of an ALTERING ENVIRONMENT (especially from my childhood days); RESILIANCE that’s met from living through unexpected weather extremes, especially floods and heat (children are susceptible as older adults to pollutants and dehydration especially); DEVELOPING A CLIMATE ACTION PLAN (much like an emergency Preparedness “kit” – climate doesn’t live in isolation); PARTNERING with the COMMUNITY to advance nature based solutions and save $$. We CAN reduce the gloom of negative change. Change will continue to happen but it can be made healthy for ALL! For more information visit: extension.psu.edu/programs/betterkidcare

How can you help?

  • Support the needs of the Shepherd of the Streets Ministry.
  • Support the needs of the Food Pantry.
  • Walk in CROP Walk the second Sunday in October and/or sponsor others to walk. CROPWalk.org
  • Participate in Bread for the World’s Offering of Letters each year.
  • Become plastic foam free or learn more about it.
  • Recycle – reuse – repurpose
  • Wage peace every day, not war and hatred.
  • Be aware of people who are homeless in our community and support programs to help.
  • Work to eliminate racism in your life and society.
  • Take part in Martin Luther King Day of Service and DREAM Week Events.
  • Join with us and others to address issues of poverty.