Justice and joy


Hunger food W


for by Rev. Jeff Lowery


“Yes, God will delight when we are creators of justice, justice and joy.”


e were preparing a service for the next


month in which our Bishop’s Initiative to Eliminate Hunger would be lifted up. The initiative urged our local Unit- ed Methodist congregations to become


aware of the issues of hunger facing our communities and to take action. As our worship planning committee began re-


searching hunger we found that our state was eighth in terms of food insecurity in our nation (eighth from the bottom, that is). This was deeply troubling to us, especially because our congregation had worked so hard in recent years to address hunger issues. The good folks of this church had donated lots of canned goods to the food pantry, had prepared meals at the homeless shelter, and had written lots of checks to worthy relief agencies. Despite our efforts and the ef- forts of other people of faith across our community, there were still many who did not know where their next meal was coming from. What we came to realize was that although we


__________________________________________________________________________________________________ January-February 2018 • WorshipArts • www.UMFellowship.org


had been doing lots of good and important work, we were being asked to take the next step. Instead of addressing the symptoms of the problem of hunger (mercy) we were being called to address the root


had an idea. Let’s offer an opportunity for our con- gregation to respond, immediately. In the context of worship we would set up a variety of stations. One of those was a chance to write letters to our state and federal representatives about the important issue of hunger in our state. And so paper and pens were gathered and a table was set up with a list of suggested talking points. And people did it! They heard about an injustice in our community and they responded. Not everyone in the congregation that day wrote a letter (there were other ways to respond to the sermon – see sidebar next page), but enough took advantage of our letter writing campaign that it felt like a success.


9


causes (justice). We knew we had to do something to help folks respond in a deeper way or our wor- ship would be in vain. These words from Amos 5 ran through my mind:


I hate, I despise your festivals, and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies. Even though you offer me your burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them; and the offerings of well-being of your fatted animals I will not look upon. Take away from me the noise of your songs; I will not listen to the melody of your harps. But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.


Offering an opportunity to respond How would we address this issue? Someone


and more


(Amos 5:21-24, NRSV)


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