Matthew’s Gospel presents us with images of impoverishment and a righteous response. Such images compel our own response when faced with the effects of dire human need. Poverty is a reality that knows no borders. Our awareness of poverty and our response to alleviate the suffering that grows out of poverty extends its reach to the four corners of the earth. We continue to focus on the global reach of our mission priority to achieve the Millennium Development Goals – the eradication of extreme global poverty by 2015 in the developing world. In addition, we are ever aware of the daily struggles born out of poverty that affect local communities in the United States. Today we commend to the Church a Model for Domestic Poverty Alleviation.

Faith in the Balance: A Call to Action is an outgrowth of the Summit on Domestic Poverty that was hosted in May 2008. While the summit was a time to recognize and celebrate the work of organizations represented, it was also a time to explore new and innovative strategies for more effective collaboration and responses to poverty, based on Scripture and our Baptismal Covenant. Those possibilities draw from the expertise of those who are daily “doing justice.” This report provides a coherent way to follow up on the Summit by drawing the whole of the Church in the United States into the ministry of poverty alleviation while nurturing our faith experience. It shines light on the path before us as we seek wholeness for all people and all creation.

Any questions or comments, please contact Chris Johnson at cjohnson@episcopalchurch.org