Faith and Spirit

Congregational Support for Members and Community in Hard Times It appears very likely that the months (and perhaps years?) ahead are going to be difficult for many in this country and around the world.  Jobs continue to vanish and the recession feeds on itself.  Many are looking to a new Obama administration to turn the freight train around.  It may well do that, but it will not happen in a year or two, or perhaps three or more!Our congregation and our congregants are and will be affected.  What is the role of our community, our church, in helping to mitigate the impact of what is surely to come to some or many of us?  Should we perhaps be planning and preparing for that role?The question is easy to ask, but of course, there are no easy answers.  However, perhaps there are many small steps that could help.  Below are some first thoughts regarding some of the things that First UU could be thinking about.  Many of these may be provided by social, community, state or federal programs, but perhaps we can supplement, promote them, or make them more “personal”:•    Job counseling – Jobs are being lost.  Some of our members are professionals in this field.  A “pro-bono” (or reduced fee?) service or training could be established.  Perhaps a workshop?•    Job Training – Some of our members are surely engaged in occupations that are less negatively impacted by job losses, or perhaps practice occupations whose numbers may increase during a recession (Health care, infrastructure labor, as examples).  Could training be organized to help re-direct the skills of our members and community to more employable occupations? •    Reducing living costs and footprints - cost cutting could be vital to many of us.  But how? Many of our members are also members of “Simply Living”, a highly effective local organization that teaches its members and students how to live “more lightly on the earth” – teaching gardening, energy efficiency, local sustainability, etc.  Could we establish a specific link to their activities and encourage our members to participate? •    Financial advice – some of our members are in the financial sector.  Could we have classes or advice on sound financial decisions and practices? •    Earth Community - In times of difficulty human beings reach out to others – could we establish Co-operative systems to exchange food, skills banks, talents (Barter Systems)?; more frequent rummage sales? CSAs? •    Mental anguish – Fear and worry is a likely result for some of us.  Do we have counselors or other professionals who could help with that?  Could we organize simple social events?•    Real Estate – Foreclosures will continue to mount.  Do we have expertise in identifying better mortgage rates or in assisting with the sale (or purchase) of houses? •    Shelter – at some point some may be homeless.  Could we develop lists of members who would be ready and willing to open up their homes/residences on short or long term rentals or room-for-services basis? •    Financial support – Many of our members may not be impacted to any great extent by the current recession.  We have recently asked for support for a “Holiday Appeal”.  Surely some of our members have responded generously – because they can.  Could we organize a special appeal with a purpose-specific account to potentially provide assistance where it is desperately needed, something like the Ministers’ Discretionary Fund?I’m sure this list could be extended ad infinitum.  Are these the sorts of things a church could organize to provide for its members (and perhaps the broader community)?  Would you like to help?Contact Michael Greenman at 614-898-5825 or mgreenma@columbus.rr.com.