Bowl of beans offers taste of poverty

On a long day in September, 107 United Methodists gathered to discuss the elimination of poverty in Appalachia. Stomachs were rumbling when all lined up for supper provided by the hosting congregation.

What did they get? A bowl of beans.

The meager meal was a taste of reality for the Christian servants who, moments before, spoke of how their separate and privileged lives might keep them from developing ministries to lead people out of poverty for good.

The Rev. Marta Cogburn, associate pastor, First United Methodist Church, Newport, Tenn., signs a covenant to continue to collaborate with other forum participants to eliminate poverty in Appalachia.

Annette Spence/Holston Conference

A $3,000 Peace with Justice grant supported the two-day "Abolishing Poverty in Appalachia" forum sponsored by the Holston Conference Peace with Justice Team and Appalachian Ministry Network. Grant funds came from the offerings of United Methodists on Peace with Justice Sunday.

"None of us here really and truly want to give up the things that make life comfortable for us," said Holston Bishop James E. Swanson Jr. "But John Wesley warned us of letting our riches come between us and the Lord."

The forum inspired the conference to organize Poverty Abolition Team Holston (PATH). Through the new ministry team, Holston's 904 churches will empower the poor by helping them acquire homes and education, start small businesses and learn money management.

Swanson charged PATH to hold church members accountable for "changing their lifestyles" to be in community with the poor and to share their assets.

"We can point fingers at the reasons why people are poor," said Danny Howe, chair of Holston's Missions Ministry Team, "but if we could get individuals to understand their roles in helping their neighbors, we wouldn't have to have these plans for eliminating poverty."

Appalachia includes 13 states and 23 United Methodist conferences, including Holston, which includes parts of east Tennessee, southwest Virginia and north Georgia.

The Rev. Sally Allocca, executive director for PEER, Inc., in Birmingham, Ala., was among the speakers. She said she realized PEER was hitting its mark when a local newspaper reported, "A place that used to be known for drugs and guns is now known for markets and gardens." PEER stands for Promoting Empowerment and Enrichment Resources, which the ministry does in its low-income neighborhood through a farmers market, health fair, after-school program and community garden.

Inspired by Allocca's workshop, a committee from forum-host First Broad Street United Methodist Church is organizing a community garden in Kingsport, Tenn., said committee chair Patsy Brooks.

Another forum participant secured funding for a new ministry after hearing experiences of the Rev. Reece Fauscett, pastor at Trenton (Ga.) United Methodist Church. Fauscett's church takes a caseworker approach to helping people locate food, medical care, transportation, furniture, GED completion, and spiritual and financial counseling.

"This was an opportunity to share ideas with like-minded people," Fauscett said of the conference. "I heard the gospel in so many ways the gospel of loving your neighbor."

The Holston Conference will sponsor another "Abolishing Poverty in Appalachia" forum in Kingsport on Sept. 10 and 11. E-mail connectionalministries@holston.org or call (866) 690-4080 for more information.

Annette Spence, editor, The Call and The Call 2, Holston Conference