(no subject)

[elainegrey]

This morning's correspondence inspired by a link from amaebi:

I don't think i had realized how disconnected from national leadership i felt until i read about http://www.circleofprotection.us/ and the letter from Latin American Christian leaders calling on Americans to follow Christ in calling for support "for the least of these."

http://www.pcusa.org/news/2011/8/24/latin-american-protestant-leaders-criticize-us-bud/

While these principles are expressed in language that may not be the language all of us would use, i believe the truth behind the words would speak to our Meeting:

KEY PRINCIPLES:

? The nation needs to substantially reduce future deficits, but not at the expense of hungry and poor people.
? Funding focused on reducing poverty should not be cut. It should be made as effective as possible, but not cut.
? We urge our leaders to protect and improve poverty-focused development and humanitarian assistance to promote a better, safer world.
? National leaders must review and consider tax revenues, military spending, and entitlements in the search for ways to share sacrifice and cut deficits.
? A fundamental task is to create jobs and spur economic growth. Decent jobs at decent wages are the best path out of poverty, and restoring growth is a powerful way to reduce deficits.
? The budget debate has a central moral dimension. Christians are asking how we protect "the least of these." "What would Jesus cut?" "How do we share sacrifice?"
? As believers, we turn to God with prayer and fasting, to ask for guidance as our nation makes decisions about our priorities as a people.
? God continues to shower our nation and the world with blessings. As Christians, we are rooted in the love of God in Jesus Christ. Our task is to share these blessings with love and justice and with a special priority for those who are poor.


As i share this, thinking of the US's struggle, i recognize our coming threshing session. I wonder how clear my thoughts are, will be, in listening to our Meeting's deliberations with the echo of the national deliberations in my heart.