For All

Year after year, the approaching holidays are thrust upon shoppers earlier and earlier. I’m not sure when Thanksgiving cards first appeared on store shelves, but I know for certain that Christmas displays, decorations, and presents were already out before Halloween.
 
The holidays are indeed fast approaching, and while for many they are a time of joy and connection, for others the holidays are enormously difficult. Especially this year, when prices for life’s basic necessities are much higher and financial resources ever more scarce, food insecurity, hunger and homelessness are on the rise. The government shutdown only exacerbated an already shameful situation, forcing more and more middle and low-income people and families into increasing levels of poverty.
 
In 1999 the ELCA passed a social statement entitled, “Sufficient, Sustainable Livelihood for All.”  In it, our church boldly declared:
 
“For all” refers to the whole household of God—all people and creation throughout the world. We should assess economic activities in terms of how they affect “all,” especially people living in poverty.
 
We tend to view economic life by how it affects us personally. The cross of Christ challenges Christians to view this arena through the experience of those of us who are impoverished, suffering, broken, betrayed, left out, without hope. Through those who are “despised” and “held of no account” (Isaiah 53:3) we see the crucified Christ (Matthew 25:31-46), through whom God’s righteousness and justice are revealed. The power of God’s suffering, self-giving love transforms and challenges the Church to stand with all who are overlooked for the sake of economic progress or greed. Confession of faith ought to flow into acts of justice for the sake of the most vulnerable.  (Click here for the full statement - 
https://elcamediaresources.blob.core.windows.net/cdn/wp-content/uploads/Economic_LifeSS.pdf
 
Our confession of faith undeniably calls us to work for justice for the sake of our most vulnerable siblings. Direct help such as Gloria Dei’s work with Homeless Solutions, as well as donations to food pantries, supermarket gift cards, and buying turkeys and hams is increasingly important in keeping those experiencing poverty from sinking deeper into despair and hunger. Monetary gifts to ELCA   World Hunger,(https://www.elca.org/our-work/relief-and-development/elca-world-hunger) and/or the Community Food Bank of New Jersey (https://cfbnj.org/) are other important ways of caring for God’s beloved children who are suffering greatly in this time.
 
So too, is our advocacy work.  Perhaps more than ever before, we need to learn about how to impact the systems that create such unjust conditions so we can work toward the sufficient, sustainable livelihood for all that God intends for God’s beloved children. If you’re interested in learning about and doing more with Gloria Dei’s Advocacy ministry, please contact either Trink Prinz: t , Regina Heater:   or Julia Koch:  .
 
“God has told you O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6: 8)
 
Pastor Gladys G. Moore