Throughout the week, we will post portions of our summary report from the forum on poverty. This fifth and final post answers questions about efforts to alleviate poverty in our community.
Month: March 2017
Poverty Forum Summary Report Part 4 of 5
Throughout the week, we will post portions of our summary report from the forum on poverty. This fourth post answers questions that audience members asked our panelists.
Audience Questions
- Do we have any place here in town that can help with drug addiction? Free help? I see many parents and many people within the community that neglect their children for drugs?
Keychain Leadership
Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:1-13
Who are the people who will emerge as new leaders among us? What if new leaders approach things differently than we’ve always done them? Maybe future leaders don’t match our expectations? Faced by such reality, what is our responsibility in handing the reins to the new leaders?
Poverty Forum Summary Report Part 3 of 5
Throughout the week, we will post portions of our summary report from the forum on poverty. This third post highlights remarks made by our panelists exploring solutions to poverty in our county.
Exploring Solutions
Question 1 – What is your role or the role of the organization you represent in helping to alleviate poverty (how are you serving the needs of those living in poverty)
Poverty Forum Summary Report Part 2 of 5
Throughout the week, we will post portions of our summary report from the forum on poverty. This second post highlights remarks made by our panelists speaking to the factors that contribute towards poverty in Fulton County.
Defining the Problem
Question 2- How does poverty affect families, individuals, and in larger context, the welfare of communities, and even the county? Why should we be concerned about poverty?
Poverty Forum Summary Report Part 1 of 5
Throughout the week, we will post portions of our summary report from the forum on poverty. This first post highlights remarks made by our panelists speaking to the factors that contribute towards poverty in Fulton County.
Introductory Remarks
Pastor Kevin Kessler – Moderator
- ¨Poverty is not an accident. Like slavery and apartheid, it is man made and can be removed by the actions of human beings.¨ -Nelson Mandela
- The US Census Bureau indicates that over a 3 year period, 1/3rd of all US residents slip below the poverty line at least once for 2 months or more.
- We are all affected by poverty in some way and it is in the interest of all that we come together to work out solutions for eliminating poverty for the wellbeing of everyone
Defining the Problem
Question 1 – What are the major factors contributing to poverty in Fulton County?
Forum on Poverty
Thank you to all of our panelists for taking the time to share with us their knowledge and experience about this issue. For those that were not able to attend and for those who would like to hear our conversation again, we’ve included a digital recording of the evening here as well as on our podcast (search “Canton Church of the Brethren” on iTunes or wherever you subscribe to podcasts).
Stay tuned for our summary report and feel free to continue the conversation by commenting below.
CCT issues call to prayer for Congress in upcoming decisions affecting those in poverty
Church of the Brethren Newsline
March 17, 2017
Citing scripture reminding of God’s concern for the poor, Christian Churches Together (CCT) has issued a call to prayer for the US Congress, noting that “during the last three weeks of March, the US Congress will make critical decisions that will affect the lives of millions of our brothers and sisters living in poverty. The right decisions could alleviate and pull people out of poverty; the wrong decisions will increase poverty and put the lives of hundreds of thousands at risk.”
From the Pastor’s Desk, March 2017
Taken from the The Canton Chronicle 2017, Vol. #2
One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, at three o’clock in the afternoon. 2 And a man lame from birth was being carried in. People would lay him daily at the gate of the temple called the Beautiful Gate so that he could ask for alms from those entering the temple. 3When he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked them for alms. 4 Peter looked intently at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” 5 And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. 6But Peter said, “I have no silver or gold, but what I have I give you; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,[a] stand up and walk.” 7 And he took him by the right hand and raised him up; and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. 8 Jumping up, he stood and began to walk, and he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. 9 All the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 and they recognized him as the one who used to sit and ask for alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. –Acts 3:1-10 (NRSV)
Outside the Comfort Zone
Genesis 12:1-4a
The journey calls us at times to go where we’ve never gone before. The destination is unknown, and easily feared. What helps us move onward in the midst of the discomfort we experience?
“The Power of the Cross” – Easter Cantata 4/9/17 at 10am
The Canton Church of the Brethren Choir, under the directorship of Carol Davis, will present “The Power of the Cross,” which is a vocal telling of Christ’s Passion and Our Redemption. It will be presented in the church sanctuary on April 9, 2017, at 10:00 a.m.
Continue reading ““The Power of the Cross” – Easter Cantata 4/9/17 at 10am”
Study of Buddhism, May – June 2017
The Canton Church of the Brethren is pleased to announce an opportunity for anyone interested to learn more about Buddhism. This project will happen from May-June 2017 and is being led by Carol Davis and Colin Davis. It will consist of 3 parts:
PART ONE – Study of Buddhism Tuesday evening May 9, 16, & 23 @ 7pm: 3 face to face one hour discussions and video (BBC VIDEO OF THE BUDDHA, 50 minutes, available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEe8hI6G0GY).
Fickle & Fallible
“What on earth is wrong with us?” Humanity experiencing problems is nothing new. In fact, it’s as old as the beginning of the human race. But just as God created all things good, He sets boundaries in place to maintain this goodness. When Adam & Eve crossed this boundary, their relationship with God was damaged.
What is wrong with us is that we are “boundary crossers.” We cross divine boundaries put in place not to keep us out, but to keep us together. To live peacefully in harmony with all creation. Consider that Adam & Eve’s boundary crossing was less about fruit and more about their inability to care for and respect the garden.
It is easy to be distracted from what is good for us, to coast and go about our day not realizing a boundary has been crossed. When Adam & Eve crossed their boundary, it opened their eyes to what’s important. They took a step back and asked what is going on.
