In the Hinterlands

The national headquarters of the Episcopal Church sent each parish a survey, whose purpose was (italics mine):

to examine ways in which our congregations are involved in justice issues...The committee defines justice as: contesting against structures that produce structural inequities and barriers as we advocate for structures and systems that increase equity and access.

We hope to learn about local responses to resolutions that addressed such issues as economic justice, labor relations, fair wages, racism, poverty alleviation, food security, hunger, faith-based organizing, and asset-based community development....

although we recognize that food pantries and feeding programs constitute faithful and essential responses to the Gospel, they are not the transformational, justice-focused programs we are attempting to identify.

I tried running a Biblical word-search on "economic justice, labor relations, fair wages, racism, poverty alleviation, food security, hunger, faith-based organizing, and asset-based community development" but, except for poverty and hunger, came up empty. Poor Paul, Peter, John, and the rest of the New Testament authors---if they only had had their consciousness raised.

Anyway, the Episcopal leadership resides on 2nd Avenue, a couple of blocks from UN Headquarters, on some of the most expensive real estate in the world. If anyone knows structural inequities and barriers, it's them.

Meanwhile, it was our turn to feed the hungry for Sandwiches on Sunday at the Community Center. We greeted the veterans who had been coming for years. One regular said she had gotten in some trouble with the local sheriff and had to leave town. I said that I would miss her; she hoped to be back before the end of the year.

Enthusiastic new volunteers made 12 trays of lasagna, 50% above our normal production. Despite concerns, there were zero leftovers.

In the hinterlands we'll stick to what we know how to do---food pantries and feeding programs---and leave the transformation stuff to others. We'll be back on October 29th, when baked chicken and rice will be on the menu.