SUMMER 2009 EDITION
COMMUNITY»
Religion and the economy
Shalonda Farrow/MUJW
From left, David Tye, Mike Missling and James Bohling take advantage of the free breakfast offered on Saturdays at the Calvary Episcopal Church in Columbia. The economic downturn has caused severalto seek comfort in their religion, "my faith in God is strong but in mankind, it's weak," said Missling.
COLUMBIA — For some, the words “In God We Trust” on the back of each dollar bill take on new meaning during times like these.
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Parishoners at the Calvary Episcopal Church donate items such as socks, toothpaste, money and time to serve the people who are homeless and needy in Columbia. "We offer them a place to be supported and to eat," said Beth Simpson a member of the church and an initial advocate for the service.
Michele Allison has four children and a job at Taco Bell. She doesn’t know how long she will have that job because several businesses have been laying people off.
Like many during this time, Allison finds herself praying more often.
"I pray for a better job,” Allison said. “Or a job at least.”
Stressed by America’s draining economy, people are turning to their faith and spirituality for comfort. Pastors say they are seeing either increased or stable numbers of people attending their church services, prayer groups and outreach programs and participating in church-centered volunteer opportunities.
Does the economic downturn turn people from faith or spirituality? Pastor Sam Voth Schrag of the St. Louis Mennonites Fellowship said that does not seem to be the case.
“Generally, people in church who’ve been affected by the economy respond by becoming closer to God,” he said.
Carol Hageny of Columbia found comfort through prayer after her recent nose surgery.
“My faith is strong through the good and the bad,” Hageny said. “Just got to have faith.”
Allison does not know how to explain how faith helps her; she just knows that it does.
“It’s something to rely on,” she said. “It’s just good to have someone to talk to. And at least someone hears me.”
Churches are doing their best to help. In addition to having more prayer groups, several churches are working hand in hand with social service agencies to offer classes that deal with the recession and job-readiness programs. They collect special offerings and host outreach center events.
The Missouri United Methodist Church recently hosted a “Christmas in July” event organized by the Columbia Voluntary Action Center to provide low-income families with a free meal and entertainment.
Willie Brown, who has attended the event three times in the past few years, works part-time as a custodian at Mizzou Arena. He lives at the Salvation Army Shelter and finds comfort by saying the Serenity Prayer often.
“I keep my faith,” Brown said. “Just believing in God, that really helps.”
Voth Schrag said he has been getting more phone calls and having more one-on-one meetings with people affected by the economy.
“Well, I think that the reminder that God is greater is really important,” he said. “When you measure success by how much money you have, well, then you are in trouble. But if you recognize that all of these things are temporary, God can get you through.”
The Rev. Raymond Massey of Trinity Presbyterian Church said his church gives at least 20 percent of its budget to service outside its walls. This year, because of and despite the recession, his members have been giving more.
“The generosity of the people is just as great,” he said. “Giving has gone up this year over last year. The people tend to be very kind and concerned about people who have less.”
Timothy Wright, a manager at Church’s Chicken in Columbia, said he has had to pick up odd jobs to support him and his family. Although Wright prays from time to time and puts his trust in God, he said he does not ask for much.
“I know that God is looking out for me,” he said. “He put me here, but I’ll fend for myself. I’m not asking for anybody’s help.”