Homeless Action Week in Great Britain provides an example of systemic change and ecumenical collaboration in addressing homelessness. Daily posts of resources on its website Breaking Barriers draw attention to the issues of homelessness.
Our world is filled with barriers between people. Barriers that prevent us from understanding one another. They are created by unfair benefits rules and inadequate wages. By the stigma attached to being poor or homeless. And by the growing gap between the richest and poorest people in our society.
Churches and community projects can break these barriers. They can challenge prejudice, enable excluded people to live full lives, and build a fairer world.
Rich | Poor
Housed | Homeless
Rural | Urban
Migrant | Settled
Homeowner | Tenant
Employed | Unemployed
Private sector | Public sector
Employer | Employee
Bankers | The rest
Work with us in Poverty & Homelessness Action Week 2012 to break the barriers that trap people in poverty and homelessness.
Father, we thank you that Jesus came to break down barriers.
He did not see the migrant or the settled, the housed or the homeless, the employed or the unemployed;
He saw and loved the person.
Forgive us when we put up barriers between ourselves and others; help us show love to all without constraint.
Help us, your church, to build communities without barriers, where all are valued because all are made in your image.
In Jesus’ name, Amen
Find out about the partner organisations who run Action Week here.
http://www.actionweek.org.uk/html/home.html
Tags: Anti-poverty strategies, Change, collaboration, Featured, Homeless Action Week, Systemic change
