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Columbia UCC will observe the International Day of Prayer for Peace Sunday on September 19. Join us for a special celebration for all ages during the worship service.
Consider joining the Church of the Brethren "On Earth Peace" campaign at brethren.org.
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Interfaith Forum on Homelessness (IFH)
Who?
Clergy of all faiths and homeless service providers. Laity, of course, are welcome.
What?
An educational forum which will address practical as well as philosophical issues clergy met when interacting with people who are homeless. Our second goal is to form coalitions between houses of worship and service providers.
Why?
To equip clergy and members of a faith community to be better first responders to homeless folks with whom they come in contact.
Where: Goucher College
Date: Tuesday, September 21 2010
Time: 9:00am-3:30pm
Registration Form Click Here!!!!
Proposed Schedule:
9:00: Opening & Welcome- Rev. Cynthia Terry & Rabbi Josh Snyder, chaplains at Goucher College.
9:15: Testimonials and Discussion- We’re going to listen to three testimonies from folks who currently are homeless or who have experienced homelessness. Adam Schneider, Community Relations Coordinator at Health Care for the Homeless in Baltimore City, will facilitate our discussion.
10:30: Stretch & refreshment
10:45-12:30: Knock at the Door Skits & Panel Discussion
Members of Bmore Housing for All, an advocacy group for the homeless who consist mainly of homeless people and formerly homeless people, are going to be the actors in several skits which present real scenarios when homeless folks knock at the church/synagogue/mosque’s door.
These skits will provoke questions and evoke emotions in all who see them. A panel of clergy, homeless service providers, and advocates (including homeless advocates) will provide knowledge and insight into the presented scenarios.
12:30-1:15:
Healthy, simple lunch w/ time to stretch and time to visit the different stations of the service providers. Vegan and kosher options will be available. There will be no programming during this brief lunch, but homeless service providers are welcome to provide information at this time.
1:15-2:00:
Direct interaction between clergy/provider based on a speed dating model. Depending on our numbers, you’ll be in a small group who will be able to spend 3-5 minutes with each homeless service provider. Since the point of the day is to start relationships as well as gain knowledge, we hope that this creative interactivity will be very helpful.
2:00-3:00: Specialty Formbots (A formbot is a little forum within a larger forum.)
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The Widow and the Unjust Judge: Advocacy
James Crawford, Jr. -Bmore Housing for All
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Legion: Mental Health as a cause of homelessness
Rev. Dr. Hugh Nash- former pastor of Zion United Church of Christ
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Addictions & Homelessness: Models of Success
Sheila Helgerson-director of Earl’s Place and Glen Conrad – addictions counselor
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Hagar & Ishmael: There Aren’t Enough Beds (The Dire Problem of Affordable Housing)
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Manna: homelessness = hunger
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Recontextualizing the widow and the orphan: Preparing Congregations to Welcome the Poor and/or Preparing Congregations for Social Justice
Kwame Osai Reed, J.D. and M.Div., Associate Conference Minister of the Central Atlantic Association of the United Church of Christ
3:15-3:30: Closing Music & Prayer
Interfaith Forum on Homelessness Event, sponsored by Baltimore United Congregations, will be hosting a day long workshop on Tuesday, September 21, 2010 from 9AM to 3PM. The event will take place at Goucher College: Haebler Memorial Chapel . Parking will be on the main lot inside the gate, off of Dulaney Valley Road. For a copy of Goucher College campus map Click Here.
The Lazarus Caucus, Inc., supports Baltimore County’s Westside Homeless Shelter. Lazarus Caucus, Inc. is a faith-based, non-profit organization created to assist the homeless and formerly homeless in becoming employed, self-sufficient, and permanent residents of Baltimore County. Lazarus’ purpose is to provide assistance to the Westside Shelter residents through a variety of programs that include, food, clothing, and a resource center. The Westside Shelter is now open year-round. New this summer is a garden project carried out by the homeless with assistance from volunteers.
The 7th Annual Benefit Dinner and Silent Auction will be held on Friday, September 24, 2010, at 7:00 pm at the Rolling Road Golf Club, 814 Hilltop Road, Catonsville, MD 21228 This is one of the major fund-raiseres for the many services provided by the Westside Homeless Shelter, including on site medical personnel.
For more information: web-site: www.lazaruscaucus.org; e-mail: info@lazaruscaucus.org; telephone: 410-707-3433. Auction items are needed.
