Highlight the music of jazz musicians who rallied for justice (i.e., Nina Simone, etc.). This service could address issues of economic injustice through music, readings, or reflections from Martin Luther King, Jr.’s speeches and the writings of many others real-life reflections and/or spoken word or poetry.
Be careful when highlighting persons in poverty that you gain written permission before persons at your church speak about them or show their images.Ģ. A period for testimonials is appropriate to highlight real-life situations of poverty to build acceptance for the ongoing work of the church in this area and to sensitize persons in your congregation to economic justice work.
Now is the time for each congregation to be the change it wants to see.ġ. Meaningful actions can be taken by all congregations. A partnership and advocacy approach allows churches to connect congregants to people whose lives are profoundly affected by the struggle for human rights. What are the signs of economic injustice in your local community? How is the Church responding? Economic Justice Day brings to our attention the plight of “the least of these,” and calls congregations to build education and action into their worship and social activities, promoting activism that has global possibilities and definite local impact. This covenant statement should be read by the entire congregation during a service, printed in your church bulletin/order of worship, displayed in a highly visible location in your church, and indicated on your church website. Forrest Elliott Harris makes it plain: a compassionate spirituality relevant to the spiritual and material needs of people is the urgent lifeboat the Black church can provide in today’s economic crisis.ĭevelop a church covenant statement on economic justice and identify specific actions and goals your church will pursue. His words draw our attention to our responsibility to the poor and stewardship of our resources to uplift the poor. In his inaugural address President Obama admonished us to choose our better history and reminded us that we are all equal.
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The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit to choose our better history to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.