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September 2004 |
Social justice program for Hoosier families debuts in North Conference
By Matthew Oates
LAFAYETTE, Ind. - United Methodists across Indiana will have a chance to make a difference in the lives of their fellow Hoosiers with a new program introduced at this year's North Indiana Annual Conference session.
The program, called "The Campaign for Hoosier Families," a social justice program, is aimed at raising Hoosiers' awareness of issues effecting low-income families sponsored by Lafayette Urban Ministry.
By signing up for the campaign, participants will be alerted when legislation that affects low-income families appears in the General Assembly at Indianapolis. Such issues include funding for utility assistance, school meal programs, tax restructuring, predatory leading and more.
"There isn't a lot of faith presence at the Statehouse," says Patti O'Callaghan, regarding organized groups representing religious denominations across the state. O'Callaghan, director of Social Justice Ministries at Lafayette Urban Ministries and a member of West Lafayette's St. Andrews United Methodist Church, told Together that the campaign is designed to mix legislative advocacy and public policy research, while educating legislators and Hoosiers.
"There's a large untapped source of people whose faith is calling them to help families and the poor," said O'Callaghan. "This will provide them a way to put their faith into action."
With the state and nation facing tough fiscal times, O'Callaghan said it's even more important to watch for those who have nothing. "We try to provide that voice."
The group has been in conversation with the Bishop's Task Force on Children and Poverty, NIC Board of Church and Society and had a presence at North Indiana's annual conference.
"Word of this campaign is beginning to spread," according to the Rev. Gary Forbes, a retired United Methodist pastor who lives in West Lafayette. "We hope to find pockets of people that will influence others."
Forbes compares the campaign with John Wesley's beginnings and calls for social holiness and providing care for all, as well as encourage expanding churches to search for the best way to help their communities. "He (Wesley) meant that to restore the nation in social holiness," said Forbes. "It's the systemics that have to be challenged and changed.
"With the cuts in the federal budget, the hope is to put the responsibility (of funding programs) back on the states, this campaign becomes even more important," he said.
For more information on The Campaign for Hoosier Families or to schedule a program, please contact O'Callaghan at 765-423-2691, ext. 17 or e-mail pocallaghan@lafayetteurbanministry.org.
Matthew Oates serves as a Together correspondent covering the North Indiana Conference.
Last updated on 08/24/2004