Community With Children and the Poor: A Guide for Congregational Study is a six session study that helps small groups explore and implement the goals of the Bishops' Initiative on Children and Poverty. The book includes the text of the Biblical and Theological Foundations document issued by the Council of Bishops in 1996, the text of "Community With Children and the Poor: Renewing the Episcopal Initiative," issued by the Council of Bishops in 2001, additional commentary to support the document, and helps for leaders.
The study guide can be purchased through Cokesbury at 1-800-672-1789 or on-line at www.cokesbury.com.
The following resources are supplementary resources that leaders teaching this study may find helpful.
Our Shared Dream: The Beloved
Community
This is the third document issued in November of 2003 by the Council
of Bishops. The document challenges "United Methodists worldwide to
join in embracing the vision of the Beloved Community." This is a pdf
document. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader (a free
download) to view it.
The Portion of the Poor: Good News to the Poor in the Wesleyan Tradition edited by M. Douglas Meeks (Abingdon Press, 1995). A series of essays by Wesleyan scholars that were originally presented at the Oxford Institute of Methodist Theological Studies.
The Poor and the People Called Methodists, edited by Richard P. Heitzenrater (Abingdon Press, 2002). Collection of essays from an international conference that examined Methodist attitudes toward poverty from Wesley's time through today.
Good News to the Poor: John Wesley's Evangelical Economics, by Theodore W. Jennnings (Abingdon Press, 1990). Examines John Wesley's ethics related to economy.
Seeing Children, Seeing God: A Practical Theology of Children and Poverty, by Pamela D. Couture (Abingdon Press, 2000). Discusses both material poverty and the poverty of tenuous connections.
Sustaining the Common Good: A Christian Perspective on the Global Economy, by John B. Cobb, Jr. (Pilgrim Press, 1994). Reflects theologically upon the global economy.
Field Guide to the Global Economy, by Sarah Anderson, John Cavanagh, Thea Lee, and the Institute for Policy Studies (The New Press, 2000). Easy to read description of the negative effects of the global economy.
Governance in a Globalizing World, edited by Joseph Nye and John Donahue (Brookings, 2000). Series of articles primarily by faculty of the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University. Articles examine trends in globalization and its impact on governance.
Casino Capitalism, by Susan Strange (Manchester University Press, 1987). First economist to use the metaphor of the casino in describing the international financial system.
Faith in Development: Partnership Between the World Bank and the Churches of Africa. (Regnum Books International, 2001). The proceedings of the 2000 conference between African church leaders and the World Bank.
Globalization and Its Discontents, by Joseph E. Stigltz, (W.W. Norton, 2002). Written by the former chief economist of the World Bank, this book discusses ho economic globalization has affected poorer nations and what reforms are needed to ensure that these countries also reap the benefits of globalization.
Beyond Poverty and Affluence: Toward an Economy of Care by Bob Goudzwaard and Harry de Lange. (WCC Publications, 1995). Looks at ways current economicc practice conflicts with Christian values.
Globalization at What Price? Economic Change and Daily Life, by Pamela K. Brubaker (Pilgrim Press, 2001) Exploress a Christian response to issues related to a globalized economy.
Grace at the Table: Ending Hunger in God's World, by David Beckman and Arthur Simon (Paulist Press, 1999). Describes what has been learned by the organization Bread for the World.
Greed: Economics and Ethics in Conflict, by James M. Childs, Jr. (Augsburg Fortress, 2000). Probes economic developments in light of Christian ethics.
God the Economist: The Doctrine of God and Political Economy by M. Douglas Meeks (Augsburg Fortress, 1989.) Offers a theological critique of ecomomics.
Out of the Basement, by Diane Olson. (Discipleship Resources, 2001). Based on the guidelines from the Bishops' Initiative on Children and Poverty, this books helps congregations develop effective ministry with children.
Blessed are the Poor? Women's Poverty, Family Policy, and Practical Theology by Pamela D. Couture. (Abingdon Press, 1991). Examines issues related to poverty among women from a theological perspective.
2003 World Development Indicators by the World Bank. ©2003. World Bank's annual compilation of data about development.
Circuit Rider. The theme of the March/April 2002 issue of Circuit Rider is "Children and Poverty."
"Bishops' Initiative: Community With Children and the Poor" Produced by United Methodist Communication, April 2002. Contact your Annual Conference office to borrow this video.
" A Matter of Interest." Published by Friendship Press. ©1990 Christian Aid (U.K.) and the Leeds Animation Project. This 13 minute video uses simple animation to illustrate the effects of global debt and individual debt. Can be ordered from Friendship Press. (1-800-899-5733) FP 58364-9 / $19.95
"A Voice for Justice; An Investment in People." Produced by the General Board of Pension and Health Benefits. This nine and a half minute video describes how the GBPHB works with corporations in the area of global accountability.
"World Trade Organization: The Whole World-In Whose Hands?" Produced by the Women's Division of the General Board of Global Ministries. Describes the role and effects of the World Trade Organization. Available from the Service Center, General Board of Global Ministries (1-800-305-9857).
"Children, Poverty, and Globalization," by Pamela D. Couture ©2003. A PowerPoint presentation that supports Chapter Three, "How Does Economic Globalization Affect Children and the Poor?" Available through the Colgate Rochester Crozer Bookstore, 1100 South Goodman Street, Rochester, New York, 14620.
A variety of web links that provide additional information.