Feb. 15, 2010 issue
Churches confront economic issues
MCC campaign provides resources
By Christina Warner Mennonite Central CommitteeWASHINGTON — At West Philadelphia Mennonite Fellowship in October, worshipers considered how personal choices such as shopping, career paths, debt and education affect God’s global community.
Earlier in the year, the congregation focused a worship ser-vice on health care and then took action on the issue. In January it addressed the issue of housing.
West Philadelphia is one of several dozen Mennonite congregations that have dedicated a Sunday worship service to learning and acting on issues of poverty and economic justice.
These congregations are participating in the Mennonite Central Committee U.S. Washington Office’s “Abundant Life: Economic Justice for All” campaign, meant to raise awareness and encourage action on U.S. public policy. They used resources from the Washington Office to help in planning for worship, discussion and action.
The campaign centers on four U.S. policy issues that have the potential to create greater economic justice: health care, international debt relief, housing and trade.
Housing was the topic for Jan. 31. One more Sunday for prayer and action is coming up April 25, focusing on trade.
At College Mennonite Church in Goshen, Ind., the health care emphasis in July drew more than 100 participants for a discussion with Anne Krabill Hershberger, retired associate professor of nursing at Goshen College, and Don Yost, of Maple City Health Care Center in Goshen.
Comment on the article Churches confront economic issues
The purpose of comments is to engage in dialogue. We expect commenters to treat authors and each other as each would want to be treated. Respectful criticism is welcomed; offensive comments or parts of comments will be removed by the site administrator. Name and comment will be posted; email address is for follow-up only and will not be made public.
Download
Download a free PDF showing the populations of
Mennonite groups and other Anabaptists.
