Join us in creating new ways to reach out to those that will be hammered by the coming wave of state cut backs, the ongoing federal cutbacks and increasing global economic volatility.

Saint Mark’s Cathedral, 1245 10th Ave. E. Seattle, 98102
9:00 to 12:00 Saturday July 23, 2011

Recession II - Ready or Not!

• We will have church leaders share what they are already doing to reach out to those hammered by the recession
• We will identify some of the new  impacts of the state cutbacks on the poor and middle class   
• We will brainstorm new ways churches can reach out to those that will be impacted by these cutbacks
• We will also identify creative new ways to help our people to reduce their own economic vulnerability to increase their availability to their neighbors   
• We will offer a process to track how successfully people implement their new  ideas

After Katrina numbers of churches created disaster response capabilities in conjunction with local governments. Thankfully a number of those churches were ready to respond to the horrific tornadoes and floods as a result of that preparation. We want to enable churches to also prepare for economic crises.

This is the third event we have sponsored to enable churches in our region to prepare for waves of economic distress impacting our neighbors.  In prior sessions people came up with ideas like starting a church “craigslist” posting available vehicles or rooms in their homes.  Saint Margaret’s Episcopal asked attorneys, counselors and spiritual directors to offer their services pro-bono to those in need.  Trinity Lutheran Church in Lynnwood offered classes in financial management and food processing and a number of churches have started community gardens.

This ecumenical event is co-sponsored by the Episcopal Diocese of Olympia,  The Washington Association of Churches, The Lutheran Public Policy Office, The Parish Collective, and Mustard Seed Associates.

Bishop Greg Rickel, from the Diocese of Olympia will welcome participants. Alice Woldt from WAC and Paul Benz from LPPO will describe the specific ways the new state cutbacks will likely impact our neighbors.  Younger church planters from the Parish Collective and leaders from other churches will describe creative ways they are already reaching out to those impacted by the first waves of the recession.  Tom & Christine Sine from Mustard Seed Associates will lead the brainstorming process.

We are counting on you to share ways your congregation is already responding and to join us in imagining new ways we can reach out to those that will be impacted by the new waves of state cutbacks.