Some people have had their working hours reduced. Others have been made redundant. Many are short of money and ask, "How can I pay the mortgage ?" Parents may wonder, "How can I afford school uniform ?"
I myself am on pension, so you cannot call me "comfortably off", can you ?
If you wonder why I am writing about the troubles of people younger than myself, I will tell you ....
Quite simply, I was re-reading Jesus' story about the good shepherd (see Luke chapter 15 vs 3-6 ) who was looking after 100 sheep, and I wondered why he was given the compliment of being called "good"?
The answer, of course is that he left the 99 and went to help the one who had become separated from the main flock, rescued it, brought it back and settled it in among the others.
This made it clear to me that the church's job in the recession ought to be to go out and help any person separated from ordinary life by such thing as money shortage.
So, WHAT CAN THE CHURCH DO ?
I have known people who pretended to their family that they were still employed. Please do not do this! - get up the courage to tell them the truth.
When I was running short of money I asked the local authority if I qualified for a reduction in things like coucil tax. I would advise you to do the same. Also contact your local Jobcentre Plus: phone 0845 602 3805.
Tell all your friends and family: information often travels by word of mouth.
I know someone with big money problems who received an enormous amount of help from their local Citizens' Advice Centre, and you could do this too.
Keep in contact with your local church. I very very strongly advise you to contact your local branch of CHRISTIANS AGAINST POVERTY (C.A.P.) This is a nationwide organisation which you can contact on www.capuk.org. They will arrange an appointment at your home to discuss all your financial problems and suggest the best way forward.
GINGERBREAD ORGANISATION is to help one-parent families. If you have no internet access please visit your local library and use the computer there.
You do not need to be a Christian to use these organisations - they will help anybody whatsoever.
I hope this will be of help to those of you who are affected by the recession.
I send you the assurance of my interest and prayers.
Philip
emeraldbluerose
That's really good advice! I myself am someone who actually does have a job. If we were in a better financial climate I would have quit already because it's so far away and I don't understand the job. I'm keeping it until I find something else (got two interviews coming up).
My church does things for the local community. They have Compassion Sunday and 58 Project, which takes from Isaiah 58. We bring bags of food and toiletries to be given to those who are struggling in the local area. My church tries to start with the local area because if you can't positvely affect your own neighbourhood, you can't very well affect the world.