Reflections
I recently had the privilege of being a part of the Candidates Forum sponsored by the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance, the Empowerment Network and Omaha Together One Community (OTOC). I found it interesting to hear the diversity represented in our political candidates seeking to hold the office of Representative to Congress in the Second District. Each candidate answered the questions asked by each of the organizations. It became very clear that some of the candidates supported services that targeted individuals seeking assistance with education and employment. Other candidates expressed no support for expansion of these services.
On Wednesday, April 18, I received an email from Bread for the World. The email contained information on the House Agricultural Subcommittee’s proposal to cut 33 billion dollars from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program over the next decade. One committee member was reported as saying that local churches should pick up the responsibility of feeding hungry people. In doing the math, Bread for the World noted that this reduction and shift of costs would require each church in America to spend $50,000 to accomplish this task. Wow! I have to admit I am a bit perplexed on our current national focus to cut benefits to the poorest of the poor.
Bread for the World reports that hunger is a serious problem in America. I can concur based on the increase in the number of people seeking food assistance through the Lutheran Pantry. We see the numbers of people coming for assistance rise after the 15th of the month. When we ask people about their need, they tell us that their Food Stamp allocation runs out about the 18th of the month.
One of the hallmarks of our Christian faith is to be compassionate. In our recent Sunday morning readings, we have heard the story of the early Christian community in Acts 4:32, “Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common.” I am not sure we would be willing to hold everything in common but I am sure that we can commonly support actions that care for those who are the least and lowest in our economy.
I see this as keeping faith with Christ who says to the disciples in Matthew 25:40, “And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” I would hope that, at the very least, we would be compelled to speak up on behalf of those who are in need.
I hope that each of us who have the opportunity to participate in our democracy will exercise our faith in learning about the positions of our candidates and vote for those that most closely align with our faith positions.
No commentsCensus Data Indicates Greater Poverty Among Women
“Record numbers of women were living in poverty — and extreme poverty — according to an analysis of 2010 Census data by the National Women’s Law Center (NWLC).” This is the opening line from the NWLC. You can check out their information here: http://www.nwlc.org/analysis-new-2010-census-poverty-data-%E2%80%93-september-2011
This news is a good reminder of the importance of our work in the community. Lutheran Metro Ministry is at work daily seeking to minister to the basic needs of persons in poverty in the city. Our telephone rings pretty constantly. The stories of need are often heart breaking.
No commentsUNITY Rally
We oppose an Arizona-style law in Nebraska. We support common-sense immigration reform at the Federal level. You are invited to a rally on Tuesday, January 11, at noon. We’ll meet at the Westside of the State Capital, 14th & Lincoln Mall. Come out and show your support.
No commentsMLK Unity Service
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Unity Service will be held Sunday, January 16, 6:00 p.m. at Salem Baptist Church, 3131 Lake Street. Rev. Dr. J. Wendell Mapson will be the guest speaker. All are invited to attend.
No commentsMLK Unity Luncheon
The 27th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Unity Luncheon will be held Monday, January 17, 11:30 a.m., at the Qwest Center.
No commentsYounkers Community Day Supports Lutheran Pantry
This special event sponsored by Younkers provides Lutheran Pantry the opportunity to raise additional dollars needed for funds to help those in need within the Omaha community.
Your $5 donation nets you a $10 coupon for this event at Younkers. In addtion, your donation is matched at 50% by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.
Contact the office today to secure your Community Day Coupon.
Ministry Partner Helps Out South Pantry
Living Grace Lutheran Church is a primary ministry partner. Each year they have put a ministry effort into collecting food and personal care items for the ministry efforts of Lutheran Pantry. This year, their emphasis was on collections for the Lutheran Pantry South, hosted at Cristo Rey Iglesia.
Here is the comment on their efforts: Pastor Lindberg writes, “We collected 346 bags of food and personal care items and $601. We beat last year’s food drive numbers again!
“These donations will help Cristo Rey meet the needs of the people of south Omaha who need a little extra help this time of year. Thank you for helping us live out our mission to go and show God’s love in practical ways.”
Our sincere thanks to all the persons who collected and donated items for this important ministry.
No commentsImmigration Issue Thoughts
In my daily devotions, I encountered this anonymous piece of thoughts on the Lord’s Prayer. It struck me as appropriate given my following thoughts.
- I cannot pray Our, if my faith has no room for others and their need.
- I cannot pray Father, if I do not demonstrate this relationship to God in my daily living.
- I cannot pray who art in heaven, if all of my interests and pursuits are in earthly things.
- I cannot pray hallowed be thy name, if I am not striving, with God’s help, to be holy.
- I cannot pray thy kingdom come, if I am unwilling to accept God’s rule in my life.
- I cannot pray thy will be done, if I am unwilling or resentful of having it in my life.
- I cannot pray on earth as it is in heaven, unless I am truly ready to give myself to God’s service here and now.
- I cannot pray give us this day our daily bread, without expending honest effort for it, or if I would withhold from my neighbor the bread that I receive.
- I cannot pray forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, if I continue to harbor a grudge against anyone.
- I cannot pray lead us not into temptation, if I deliberately choose to remain in a situation where I am likely to be tempted.
- I cannot pray deliver us from evil, if I am not prepared to fight evil with my life and my prayer.
- I cannot pray thine is the kingdom, if I am unwilling to obey the King.
- I cannot pray thine is the power and the glory, if I am seeking power for myself and my own glory first.
- I cannot pray forever and ever, if I am to anxious about each day’s affairs.
- I cannot pray Amen, unless I honestly say, “Cost what it may, this is my prayer.”
I continue to struggle with decisions that have been made in our communities and states that claim to address issues of immigration reform. I am having a hard time seeing the actions taken by our communities and states as reform. Reform suggests to me that changes are being made to improve the circumstances and issues’ surrounding whatever is in need of reform.
Clearly, our broken immigration system is in need of reform. We have two signs on our borders. “No Trespassing” and “Help Wanted.” Our current system provides for 5,000 visas per year for unskilled workers. However, we have the need for 150,000 unskilled workers. Something needs to be reformed in this mixed message.
If you are a US citizen and wish to have a family member (spouse, unmarried child under 21 or a parent) allowed to join you in this country, you have a morass of legal work and a seven year wait. I can’t imagine the toll this takes on an individual let alone the composite stress on a family. Reform is clearly needed.
If you have overstayed your visa and are subject to deportation and are deported, you cannot apply to return for ten years, no exceptions. How does that work for mothers separated from children, for example? Reform is clearly needed. A fix is needed so that we do not continue to break people.
Our Hebrew and Christian scriptures clearly indicate that “all are made in the image of God.” If my brother or sister, with a different skin color, is made in the image of God, how should I be treating them? How should I be talking about them? The language that has become the basis of discussion is language that seems to demean or even demonize the other. How is this honoring of God’s creation? Reform is clearly needed.
I am not suggesting that we simply turn a blind eye toward this issue but there are some things that I believe ought to be at the basis of our efforts toward reform. Jesus was always trying to shape the inclinations of the people’s heart. How might we be involved in shaping the inclinations of people’s hearts in this matter?
Some principles that make sense to me:
- A call for enforcement initiatives that is consistent with humanitarian values.
- Advocating for reform in our family-based immigration system that reduces waiting times for separated families.
- The establishment of a process for all immigrant workers and their families already in the US to earn citizenship upon satisfaction of specific criteria.
- Expansion of the legal avenues for workers and families to enter the country and work in a safe and legal manner with their rights and due process fully protected.
- A call for solutions to address the root causes of migration, such as economic disparities between sending and receiving nations.
Paul says in Philippians 4:6, “In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be known to God.” I pray that the anxiety and fear that is felt within our communities and country might give way to reasoned thinking and a reshaping of our hearts in order that our laws are in keeping with our moral and ethical values.
I also pray that we will advocate for these types of principles and that we will use language that respects the dignity and image of all in the sight of God.
Rev. Dr. Damon D. Laaker, Director, Lutheran Metro Ministry
No comments26th Annual IMA Martin Luther King Jr Luncheon
Lutheran Metro Ministry is pleased to sponsor two tables at the 26th Annual Celebration of the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Luncheon.
The guest speaker is Rev. Dr. Michael T. Williams, Pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church, Eire, PA.
The luncheon is Monday, January 18, 2009, 11:30 am-1:30 pm, Downtown Qwest Center, Omaha.
If you would like to attend, we’d be happy to have you sit at one of our tables. Donations up to the per ticket cost of $35 are welcome. Please drop us an email at lutheranmetromin@gmail.com and we will reserve a place for you.
No commentsCongregation Based Organizing Event
Lutheran Metro Ministry in cooperation with Nebraska Justice Ministries hosted a Congregation Based Organizing Training event the last weekend in September. Individuals from congregations and community organizations participated. This event provided training in priniciples that help individuals and organizations maximize their effectiveness.
