As we strive for justice and peace, we can learn from what each other are doing. We can share in our successes and collaborate on our challenges. Post your stories - from everyday advocacy (the little things that sometimes happen and you even don't realize they're advocacy until it's over) to parish and community efforts that you are a part of. This is the place for Episcopalians to share how we are striving for justice and peace! Take a few minutes to tell us how you've made a difference in your community. You'll be amazed at how just one story – yours – could inspire people around the world. We welcome your contribution!
In considering the question of immigration and refugee status, I am moved by the deep dilemma faced by the people who live in the Mexico border settlements adjacent to affluent US towns. When my tree-trimmer comes to prune my trees, I often have a chance to talk with his workers and find myself wondering whether I am contributing to their poverty, or providing them with a job they desperately need...
My parish is one of three churches working together on a food pantry. It is pretty interesting to have Presbyterians, Lutherans and Episcopalians all working together! My particular job varies from New Client intake to checking in clients before they receive their food. It says a lot that several of our clients also volunteer -- working in the kitchen, wheeling out groceries or helping in the shopping area. Some of our clients come in once and we never see them again, but others are regulars -- the ones we worry about if they don't come in.
Over the past few months I've been putting together, at the request of the Bishop, a Public Policy Advisory Group, to monitor legislation at the State Capitol that may have an impact on the poor, especially those served by our 23 Jubilee Ministries in Colorado.
One member of that group is Chris Sandoval, a homeless man who lives in Longmont, a town 40 minutes to the north of Denver. Chris is an active part of a homeless congregation that meets for worship in a Longmont park, and he'd been recommended to me by the deacon that works with that congregation. Our advisory group meets monthly, and because our diocese is so geographically large, about half the members join us by teleconference. That's how Chris participates, too. He doesn't have a home, but he does have a cell phone.
This is my story of trying to make a difference in the world around me and further away: I've been recycling since the 70's. I pick up litter everywhere I go. I've recently been entering codes from Tropicana orange juice to the Save the Rain Forest project during 2009. Each code turned in to tropicanarainforest.com saves 100 sq ft of rain forest in S. America. At my church we grow veggies for the poor, and at another church #2 and #4 plastic bags and used batteries are collected and recycled or disposed of properly. I take hazardous waste like oil-based paint to the proper disposal place, also used electronics. Those items that are reusable, I take to the Salvation Army or to the Reuse Store. I buy reused clothes. Collect money and buy groceries for the poor. I knit sweaters for poor kids and scarves for poor seamen. Give spare blankets, etc to the homeless ministry. I sponsor a child through World Vision. I buy animals from Heifer Project as gifts at Christmas. Went with a group to New Orleans where we cleaned up several homes and served a hot meal to the people living in FEMA trailers. I write my government officials to encourage them to pay attention to such bills as stopping global warning, human slave trading, racial hatred etc.
For more than 18 years my wife and I have served on the Salvation Army's Feedmore van to feed the needy and homeless in Baltimore City.I am presently doing a series of paintings of the homeless that will be on exhibit at Health Care for the Homeless in Baltimore. This exhibit will open in Jan. 2010. It depicts the deplorable plight of the homeless in our city. i have been motivated by God's love to feed the hungry and clothe the needy. My advocacy does the work He has given us to do.
For more than 18 years my wife and I have served on the Salvation Army's Feedmore van to feed the needy and homeless in Baltimore City.I am presently doing a series of paintings of the homeless that will be on exhibit at Health Care for the Homeless in Baltimore. This exhibit will open in Jan. 2010. It depicts the deplorable plight of the homeless in our city. i have been motivated by God's love to feed the hungry and clothe the needy. My advocacy does the work He has given us to do.
