MWR : Articles : Poverty and economic justice

Last updated August 18.

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Articles : Poverty and economic justice

Connections at the margins

Anna of Rotterdam, an Anabaptist martyr, advised: “Where you hear of a poor, simple, cast-off little flock, which is despised and rejected by the world, join them.”

More than 27,000 people — considered poor and simple, rejected by the powerful — attended the U.S. Social Forum June 22-26 in Detroit. Committed to uniting the struggles of oppressed communities, the USSF brings together grassroots organizers to build structures of resistance to national and global injustice.

Fishy tale

Scarcely a week goes by without someone saying, “Give people fish and you feed them for a day; teach them how to fish and you feed them for life.”

Many need room at the inn

The strain many of us feel due to the recession allows a glimpse into what millions have been experiencing for decades: the inability to find and keep adequate, safe and affordable housing.

Warm space, and dignity, for homeless

SEATTLE — What draws members of Lake City’s homeless population to Seattle Mennonite Church is not exactly the hot meals offered each Sunday.

Cleveland church, others geared up to reduce local and national poverty

A Mobilization to End Poverty conference in Washington, D.C., surprised Al Anthony of Lee Heights Community Church in Cleveland with its passion and commitment.

‘Stimulus’: to spend or to give?

I will receive $1,800 this month. The IRS will pay me $1,200 because I’m married and $600 for my children. The money comes with no strings. And therein lies my quandary — how will I use my economic stimulus payment?

A country’s struggle, a church’s strength

Zimbabwe’s central bank issued a $200,000 bill this summer. Which sounds impressive, but not in a good way. At the unofficial exchange rate, it’s worth a little more than one American dollar. It will buy a quart of gasoline or a two-pound bag of sugar.
The benefits of true Jubilee

The year 2007 was declared as the Jubilee Year by Jubilee USA Network, a coalition of faith-based organizations that work toward debt cancellation for developing nations.

Colombians to promote peace, economic justice

BOGOTA, Colombia — Colombian Mennonites will take to the streets of the capital city Sept. 21 to draw attention to the need for economic justice in proposals for peace.

Goshen children raise a crop for world hunger

GOSHEN, Ind. — The fifth- and sixth-grade Sunday school class at College Mennonite Church didn’t opt for small goals this summer. They’re taking on world hunger.