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By Jackie Campbell

Bishop Felton May says he is sick and tired of hearing people talk about addressing the causes of poverty, but doing nothing.

 

“We have been talking about this for a long time and the situation is getting worse,” May told participants in a statewide United Methodist Anti-Poverty Summit at Camp Hill UMC in October. “Somehow what we are doing as a denomination is not connecting with the hearts and souls and minds of those who are imprisoned by poverty.

 

“Unless our minds and hearts are influenced by the Holy Spirit then we are not going to get anywhere with this issue of poverty or the poor.”

John Wesley, founder of the Methodist movement, was a man of action who went among the people and tried to meet their needs. Today, May said, “I think we spend too much time trying to decide what Wesley said and what he meant” instead of following his actions. “It’s called avoidance.”

 

May, who’s serving in retirement at a city church in Trenton, NJ, and other speakers pointed to the need for commitment to change the conditions that trap people in poverty.

 

While United Methodists and other Christians are very good at acts of charity -- operating food banks, feeding the hungry or providing clothing--“we have not done those things that keep people from getting into poverty in the first place,” said the Rev. Sandy Strauss of the PA Council of Churches.

 

Charitable acts can be lifesaving and may keep someone experiencing situational poverty from a downward spiral. Summit participants heard from an Eastern PA church leader who lost his home and was supported by his congregation as he works his way back from the brink of poverty.

 

Some, however, become trapped in a downward cycle after losing their source of income. Others are born into poverty and lack the skills, education, role models or mentors to work their way out.

 

During a “Faces of Poverty” panel, Fred New and Theresa Evans talked about progress they have made in the first phase of a Bridges Out of Poverty program started early this year by Center Ave. UMC in Pitcairn. In the program, known as “Circles”, participants use a book entitled “Getting Ahead in a Just-Getting-By World.”

 

They set specific, measurable, achievable and realistic goals, learn the importance of good work habits and communication, and become empowered to help themselves, said the Rev. Cyndi Bloise, who recruited Fred and Theresa for the program at the local food bank. Participants are paid $20 each week to attend the group session. “It’s showing excellent results,” Bloise said.

 

New, who had been unemployed for 18 months, found a job and Theresa, through hard work, no longer feels “stuck in a hole.” The program makes you look at things in a new way, she said. “You have to look at what you want and want something so bad that you have to grow inside and get the strength back that you lost somewhere along the way. It’s all happening for us now.”

 

In the next phase of the program, Theresa will become leader of a Circle of trained volunteer “allies” from the community who will work with her weekly for 18 months and attend a monthly “Big View” meeting.

 

“Circles is really about intentional relationships,” Bloise said. “Once you’re all working together you can get things done.”

 

Circles programs operate in other areas of the state, but most are facilitated by Community Action agencies. One meets at Trinity UMC in Indiana, PA.

Bloise said there’s power in the church being behind the program.

 

“One of the coolest things that ever happened was when one of them asked why we were doing this. Then Fred asked if it cost money to get baptized. On Mother’s Day, I had the privilege of baptizing Fred and he and Theresa joined our church!”

 

The church also has a role to play in advocating for justice for the poor, said the Rev. Clayton Childers of the General Board of Church and Society.

Jesus was a liberator of the oppressed,” he said. “We need to be challenging the systems that keep people down.

 

“Government has a role to play, but the church has a truth that is deeper than anything the government can ever offer. Justice is making the world look the way that Jesus would want it to look.”

 

Participants in the Summit brainstormed to come up action steps, which include lobbying, advocacy and grassroots organizing to address issues. It’s important, though, to know the issue and have the facts, commit to take action, and talk with people who can influence policy. (See box for details and resources.)

 

In the end, Bishop May said he was encouraged by the action steps and urged participants to follow through with their commitment to do something about poverty.