IN THEORY:

Times are so tough that economists are saying it hasn’t been this bad since the Great Depression. And service agencies say they’re overwhelmed with requests for support. At Share Our Selves in Costa Mesa, the agency that provides a variety of services to the poor, the volunteers say they’re now receiving requests for aid from white-collar workers. This apparently is a national trend. How has the sagging economy affected your congregation, and what are you doing to try to help folks?

Some parishioners have lost or are losing their homes. Layoffs or a reduction in hours are not uncommon. Those requesting assistance is up 50%. We have a food pantry run by our St. Vincent de Paul Society. While we are able to help with food, other assistance (rent or a motel room for homeless families) is provided in emergency situations only and is not intended for long-term aid.

In response to economic difficulties facing families, we recently provided a meal where people were asked to donate what ever amount they could, if they could. Our goal is to continue these low cost/no cost meals to community members on an ongoing basis. Many parishioners are helping others in need, following the mandates of the Gospel.

Father Stephen Doktorczyk

St. Joachim Catholic Church

The nights are longer and colder, and it is certainly not a good time to be homeless or hungry or both. Though there is always a steady stream of phone callers and visitors in need of help, it does seem like there are more now.

Like most congregations, especially smaller ones like Fairview, we have little to give, and my heart breaks every time I have to turn someone away empty handed. It becomes even harder when those in need are part of our church. No longer are the needy some removed entity; they are part of our community.

Thank God Christmas encourages charity, and we should all do what we can to give to those in need, but the truth is that the answer has to come in a shift of thinking. One of the ways I work toward reducing poverty is partnering with Orange County Communities Organized for Responsible Development, an organization committed to working for low income housing.

While charity is a necessary bandage for the problem, I believe that we must be working toward social justice with groups like OCCORD to begin to heal the root of the problems, raising consciousness and demanding creative solutions that move beyond handouts at Christmas.

The Rev. Sarah Halverson

Fairview Community Church

We have had several in our church family with mortgage or medical finance issues, etc., but as they brought them to our attention, everyone chipped in to get them out of their ruts. I stood back in awe at watching this family take care of one another. But that isn’t the end of it.

We are collecting hygiene items for the homeless in partnership with Mary’s Kitchen. Last week our people raised food and finances for meals for 75 families in our community.

This weekend, one of the life groups is networking with a local women’s guild to raise funds for military families in need. Each of our life groups has been commissioned to raise $10,000 for some need in the community. We hope to raise between $100,000 and $150,000 by Easter Sunday.

Ric Olsen

Lead pastor, The Beacon