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NEBRASKA DISCIPLE NEWS
June 16, 2008
RACISM AND BLACK POVERTY IN NEBRASKA
Doudou Diene of Senegal, Africa, recently visited Omaha as part of a United Nations human rights team exploring racism. They came to racism because according to a recent U.S. Census report 34.9% of Omaha blacks live below the poverty line. This is the fifth-highest rate in the nation and five times higher than Omaha’s rate for whites over the same period (7%). Omaha’s black poverty rate is higher than the rates of New Orleans (29.4%) and Chicago (27%). The disparity between black and white poverty is the third highest in the country, behind only Minneapolis and Milwaukee.
IMMIGRATION STUDY RESOURCE
Immigration is a hot topic these days. It is discussed in the nightly news from the perspective of attention grabbing headlines. It is discussed in political debate from the perspective of winning the votes. But it is seldom discussed in church settings from the perspective of faith. Now, Disciples have an opportunity to have those kinds of discussions on immigration. Disciples Home Missions has produced a resource to enable theological reflection on the issue of immigration. Theological reflections are included from four Disciple theologians: Eric Brown, Michael Kinnamon, Tim Lee, and Daisy Machado. Persons participating in these local church studies are invited to make a "Welcoming the World to our Doorstep" pledge to welcome immigrants to their ministries, regardless of immigration status. There are also action steps that groups can use to implement their decision. The packet and pledge are available at: http://www.discipleshomemissions.org/RIM Under resources click on "Welcome Pledge."
GOING HUNGRY IN AMERICA
There have been recent news stories of hungry people in parts of the world who have been impacted by a dramatic increase in the cost of basic food items. Hunger continues to be a problem in North America as well. More than 35.5 million Americans (12% of the U.S. population and 17% of our children) don’t have enough food according to the Department of Agriculture. According to Ross Fraser of America’s Second Harvest, one of the nations largest hunger-relief organizations, "The working poor increasingly have to choose between rent, electricity, medicine and groceries." The situation is becoming much worse. A loaf of bread costs 15% more now than at this time last year, and the price of milk has risen 13%.
GREEN CHRISTIANS
Larry Hammons, pastor of Murray Christian Church encouraged church members to recycle in this month’s church newsletter: "Did you know? The average person produces nearly 5 lbs. of trash each day. Hopefully you have heard about our recycling effort at VBS this year…Did you know? Enough plastic bottles are thrown away each year to circle the earth 4 times. Did you know? More than 100 million trees’ worth of junk mail arrives in American mailboxes each year. That is the equivalent of deforesting the entire Rocky Mountain National Park every four months….Recycling a stack of newspapers 3 feet high saves one tree… Our goal for the mission at VBS is to teach our children how to recycle. When thinking of a mission project we usually think of giving money for the good of others. This year we are focusing on doing something that is good for ALL of us."
SUMMER READING
Faith as a Way of Life: A Vision for Pastoral Leadership, by Christian Scharen, is scheduled for release this month from Wm. B. Eerdman's Publishing. With a foreword by Miroslav Volf, the book explores the failure of Christian ministry to effectively proclaim the transforming power of God’s gift of faith in the daily lives of disciples. "Scharen articulates a vision of pastoral leadership grounded in substantive faith language," reads the book description. "He offers creative, practical theological reflection on how faith can truly inform our family life, our work, our politics, our leisure — literally all of life — and how pastoral leaders of all kinds can foster faith as a way of life."
FAMILY NEWS
Rev. Mike and Renee Lincoln’s daughter, Katie graduated from Wayne State College with a teaching degree. Rev. Lincoln is pastor of the Bellevue Christian Church and First Christian Church in Plattsmouth. Rev. Ken and Susan’s Moore’s son, James, will be attending Law School this fall at Chapman University in Orange, CA.
PRAY FOR…
The church of the week – Bellevue Christian Church – and Pastor Michael Lincoln.
Rev. Nancy Brink (North Side CC in Omaha) was among the participants in last Thursday’s vigil for the Boy Scouts who died in the tornado. Let us continue to remember all those affected by this tragedy in our prayers.
Pray for the family of Roger Hammons (ELM student, member of Havelock Christian Church, Lincoln). Roger died on Sunday, June 8th. Funeral services were held at Bethany Christian Church in Lincoln on Thursday, the 12th.
We have also received word that a granddaughter of Paul and Virginia Wild, active members of the First Christian Church in Ashland, was killed in a car accident. Your prayers for Paul and Virginia and for the family of the granddaughter will be appreciated.
Your Partner in Ministry,
Ken Moore
Regional Minister
Christian Church in Nebraska
1-800-580-8851 or 402-476-0359 Mission: To involve individuals and congregations in God’s mission in the world.
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