LEHIGH COUNTY CONFERENCE OF CHURCHES

Executive Director's Message

Rev. Dr. Christine L. NelsonTHROW OUT A LIFELINE

By Rev. Dr. Christine L. Nelson

 


From his fullness we have all received grace upon grace.
John 1:16


The story line is sheer genius. Forging the perpetual human yearning for more with the TV phenomena of “Who Wants to be a Millionaire”, “Slumdog Millionaire” takes us on the human journey to find our way in life.

 

An ordinary “Jamal” gets on the Indian version of the popular show through happenstance…he is at the right place at the right time. Even more extraordinary are the circumstances that enable him to answer correctly every single question on the pyramid to winning a million dollars. The answers to the questions all relate to critical events in his life story, to being at the wrong place at the wrong time, and having to make choices of life or death, light or darkness, yes or no. Throughout his young life, like a Joseph with his coat of many colors, Jamal had to grab the life lines presented to him or die.

 

As our country’s recession deepens more and more people are in similar mode. People feel they are sinking under the waters and they must make a choice: either sink into total despair or keep on seeking in hope, be angry at the world and yourself or keep asking for help. So many people in our community are looking for someone to throw out a lifeline to them, things as simple as respectful conversation, a lead on a job, a place to stay the night, a way to pay the rent, a bag of groceries, a ride to home, work, or the doctor’s. We can be that lifeline, we can offer that hope our neighbors need to carry on.

 

Here are just a few ways, working together, we can reach out:

  • Hungry people: Daybreak members need nutritional food and people who will just talk with them. Groups can help with cooking, serving a meal, or donating food. Individuals or groups can help with events or classes that nourish body and spirit.
  • Kids: kids hungry for attention and to find and use their talents need people who will talk and walk with them. After school several days a week Aspires Mentoring needs people to work with kids.
  • People looking for work: know how to write a resume, perform an interview know a company that is hiring? Permanent Employment Program could use your help in preparing people to re-enter the work force or in identifying job possibilities.
  • Formerly homeless persons making their first “home” in a long time: the thrill of people moving from the streets to an apartment is sweetened by having a bed, dishes, sheets and blankets, any of the things one needs to make a house a home. Our HUD II rental assistance program is finding homes for 22 formerly chronically homeless persons. You can help.

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    I would very much like to know how the current economic crisis is impacting your congregation/organization and its members. Give me or my staff a call with your answers to these questions:
  • What needs have grown among your parishioners/neighborhood?
  • What resources are needed to meet them?
  • Have you formed a discussion group for people to discuss the
  • current situation?
  • What would you like help with?
  • What help would you like to offer to the wider community?

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    The Conference wants to be helpful by being a broker of community resources. In times such as these faith communities working together can increase their capacity to be places of refuge, compassion and support. Who needs to be a millionaire! I just want to throw out a few lifelines. How about you?