I am sure that many of you are familiar with Orange County, CA. Perhaps your view of Orange County has been formed by the teen drama, the "O.C." or the reality series, "Real Housewives of Orange County." (By mentioning these shows, doesn't mean that I watch them - that's my story and I sticking to it!) Orange County is one of the more affluent counties in the United States. With that in mind, let these statistics sink in.
You don't see these realities portrayed on T.V. shows. Although, some of you may be thinking, especially for those of us who live in suburban Atlanta, what does Orange County have to do with me and where I live?
Of course my county, Forsyth County, is not a carbon copy of Orange County, but we have a couple of things in common. Forsyth County is a fast growing county. We have a great deal of affluence. And those in need are often hidden from our view.
That is the danger with suburbia. People in need are often hidden from view and usually shoved to the margins. Even though we may not be confronted with need in our face every day, the needs exist and they exist all around us. The needs of our community are multifaceted.
There are relational needs. Marriages are in crisis. Children are facing unique pressures and challenges. And people are relationally isolated from each other and living lives of "quiet desperation."
In addition, there are spiritual needs. People in our community have been wounded by the church. God is seen as a commodity to be consumed rather than worshipped. Men and women are in need of life transformation that can only come from Jesus Christ.
And of course people in our community have physical needs as well. These are the needs we often don't see as easily. But this month, in Forsyth County, we have an opportunity to be the hands and feet of Christ to our community.
Saturday, March 24, 2007 is the Great Day of Service. Hosted by Cumming First United Methodist Church, this service day will involve Christians from many different churches throughout Forsyth County. As we come alongside other churches, Big Creekers need to serve the needs of our community and serve together to meet those needs.
There is real need, yet often hidden, in Suburbia, and we need meet those needs with the love of Christ.
Technorati Tags: suburbia, homelessness, poverty
- 10.6% of those living in Orange County live below the poverty line --approximately 315,000 people.
- There are 456,000 people at risk of missing meals each month in Orange County.
- According to the Orange County Homeless Assessment, there were approximately 34,000 homeless people in Orange County in 2005.
- 74,000 children in Orange County receive emergency food assistance each year from Second Harvest Food Bank.
You don't see these realities portrayed on T.V. shows. Although, some of you may be thinking, especially for those of us who live in suburban Atlanta, what does Orange County have to do with me and where I live?
Of course my county, Forsyth County, is not a carbon copy of Orange County, but we have a couple of things in common. Forsyth County is a fast growing county. We have a great deal of affluence. And those in need are often hidden from our view.That is the danger with suburbia. People in need are often hidden from view and usually shoved to the margins. Even though we may not be confronted with need in our face every day, the needs exist and they exist all around us. The needs of our community are multifaceted.
There are relational needs. Marriages are in crisis. Children are facing unique pressures and challenges. And people are relationally isolated from each other and living lives of "quiet desperation."
In addition, there are spiritual needs. People in our community have been wounded by the church. God is seen as a commodity to be consumed rather than worshipped. Men and women are in need of life transformation that can only come from Jesus Christ.
And of course people in our community have physical needs as well. These are the needs we often don't see as easily. But this month, in Forsyth County, we have an opportunity to be the hands and feet of Christ to our community.
Saturday, March 24, 2007 is the Great Day of Service. Hosted by Cumming First United Methodist Church, this service day will involve Christians from many different churches throughout Forsyth County. As we come alongside other churches, Big Creekers need to serve the needs of our community and serve together to meet those needs.
There is real need, yet often hidden, in Suburbia, and we need meet those needs with the love of Christ.
Technorati Tags: suburbia, homelessness, poverty
2 comments:
We're trained to look for what we know to look for. We're not trained to look for what's actually there. Why? We just don't want to believe "that thing" is happening in our own backyards. Truth be told, we're also a bit afraid. Nice if someone else gets involved, but what's it gonna cost us?
Discovered in Lockport that we have a homeless situation. Not a serious one, but even one homeless person is too many. Been here 6 months and haven't heard a thing about it, not from the churches or the city.
But I know it's there b/c I encountered it last November walking along the Erie Canal footpath.
God show us more of what we're not looking for.
Ron,
Great point, often I need to ask for the eyes of Christ and be willing to look and see what and who is around me.
bill
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