Response in Time of Tragedy

While the Poverty Initiative blog usually hosts information all about poverty all the time, I thought it was important to use every means of communication available to the National Council of Churches to get the word out about how we’re responding to the tragedy in Newtown. Please see a message from the transitional General Secretary of the National Council of Churches below. ~Shantha
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Dear Friends in Faith,

I have been inspired by the great outpouring of support and compassion I have seen in the faith community’s response to the devastating shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School. From prayer vigils to pastoral care resources, and from moving sermons to the many, many prayers for the families and community in Newtown – the outpouring of God’s love to this community through God’s people has been hope fulfilled.

If you would like to access a sampling of the response, click here to see prayers and click here to see actions.

I hope that you will join me not only in continued prayer but also in raising a faithful witness against this and other forms of violence. No nation or community should witness the suffering of such innocents. The National Council of Churches will be participating in several activities over the next few weeks and I invite you to join us.

* Ring Church Bells on Friday morning to Honor Newtown – NCC associated congregations across the United States plan to ring church bells on Friday morning to mark one week’s passing since the shooting tragedy transpired.
* Interfaith Press Conference on Gun Violence: On Friday, December 21, representatives from Jewish and Christian organizations will come together in Washington, DC to call on President Obama to address gun violence. Click here for the news release.
* Gun Violence Prevention Sabbath: On January 6, congregations around the country are being asked to offer sermons, prayers, or education forums against gun violence. Click here to register your congregation and receive a free, downloadable toolkit.
* Call-in Day Against Gun Violence: The interfaith community will join together in early January to host a call-in day to legislators, urging them to address gun violence. Click here to sign up to receive information about this important advocacy action.

We will be convening staff from our member communions shortly after the holidays to discern additional ways that we, as the body of the National Council of Churches, can work together to prevent gun violence and other long term systemic issues of justice and peace.

Prayerfully,

Peg Birk

Transitional General Secretary, National Council of Churches

When Heart Turns Rock Solid: The Lives of Three Puerto Rican Brothers On and Off the Streets

Recommended by: Rev. John Mueller, Trinity UMC, Springfield, MA

When Heart Turns Rock Solid: The Lives of Three Puerto Rican Brothers On and Off the Streets, by Timothy Black.

This book is an ethnographic study, and tries to honestly present the stories of the lives of three brothers and their families in Springfield, MA. It is a powerful work.

It was especially interesting to me because it is about life in our church’s city. I have thought about having a book study through the congregation on it, but the language is a little harsh at times. I still may though, because it is an important work.

If you’ve read this book or you want to, comment on our blog to start a discussion, or tweet us @NCCEndPoverty

Gun Violence and Poverty in Virginia

This week, the state of Virginia repealed a law that set a handgun purchasing limit at one handgun per month. This will have disproportionately negative impacts on impoverished and marginalized communities.

In most cases gun violence is perpetrated by and impacts young men. The gun violence – particularly in communities of color – takes fathers away from families. Young men of color are too often either victims of gun violence or perpetrators. Many of these young men are robbed of their futures when gun violence leads them to end up incapacitated, incarcerated or dead. All of this compromises the strength of the family and community and contributes to the cycle of poverty.

Click here to read an excellent op ed by the General Secretary of the United Methodist Church’s General Board of Church and Society about why the repeal of this legislation is immoral.