"Courage my friends, tis never to late to work for a better world" - Tommy Douglas

On November 24th, social service workers gathered in the cozy environment of Parkdale United Church Calgary to discuss poverty reduction in Alberta. A series of passionate politicians, CEO’s and directors of organizations committed to reducing poverty in Alberta met to share ideas, network between organizations, and present reports in an attempt to create a collective movement of informed and engaged empowerment. Many issues where covered in the day long conference and although a few critiques came to mind, I was inspired by the use of a theological, moral and spiritual language that was used to describe where we may need to focus if we desire to reduce poverty or even eliminate it in Alberta.

Tony Martin, an NDP Member of Parliament currently in his twentieth year of public service, who in partnership with various organizations tabled Bill C-545: “An Act to Eliminate Poverty in Canada”, spoke of poverty as a moral issue and a spiritual journey. After reciting facts and figures, Martin challenged the conference goers by saying a new reordering is required. During his talk Martin referred to the story of Caesar Chavez, written by Marshall Ganz called, “Why David Sometimes Wins”, illustrating that seeking the alternative is a model that Martin uses to continue the work that needs doing. Continuing on, he said that we cannot use weapons effectively against masters of them. This is why paramount to changing and reordering the way we engage in poverty reduction is a re-envisioning. He challenged us to live in the ‘occupy’ spaces of our lives, not necessarily to the same end and purpose as current occupiers exist, but as a challenge to move into those more creative alternative spaces for answers; for only in the lived experience of individuals can real change occur. The words that hit home for me where the most challenging of all, “the major player missing from all this action are churches”, thus spoke the politician.

A committee member from Vibrant Lethbridge, a branch of Vibrant Communities Canada that focuses on pro-inclusion poverty reduction strategy, also framed the poverty issue in this light challenging that, “As much of an economic benefit poverty reduction is, we must do it because it is the right thing to do.” Again reinforcing that it is in creating and offering lived experience that generates the sustainable change we desire.

Dan Meades, director of Vibrant Communities Calgary framed this same idea in a slightly varied tone stating that, “there is something more important than money, but if people won’t listen we will dumb down the message all the way to dollars and cents”. Prophetic words in light of a report to be released in January by the VCC that will ask the question: Is Alberta paying to keep people poor? And if so how much? Poverty reduction is both economically feasible and morally imperative, so what is stoping us from acting?
This is where the church needs to take a stand and it’s not like we have nothing to offer. The opposite is in fact true- when it comes to the moral questions of our time the church has the most to offer- first in a use and practice of a moral language and second in a lived experience of communal well being and focus. As I have recently heard preached, church is a community that generates community. If the church desires to not only stay relevant, but to become revelatory, it must engage in this type of work: participating in that lived experience, that re-envisioning and like Chavez, teaching the ways of David, the ways of the alternative.The church has been challenged, summoned by others in our communities, political or otherwise, who have seen the value of having the church on their side. We must respond, it is the right thing to do.

The the conference named, “Dream No Little Dreams” is based on a quote by Tommy Douglas, the first leader of the NDP and the man known for bringing Medicare to Canada. Douglas states, “we should never, never be afraid or ashamed about dreams. The dreams won’t all come true; we won’t always make it; but where there is no vision a people perish. Where people have no dreams and no hopes and aspirations, a life becomes dull and a meaningless wilderness.” There is a multiplicity of changes needed to occur, no one answer will solve the problem of poverty, but as individuals and as a church community we have the responsibility to take those steps and dream those dreams.

For more information or to get involved check out these links:

http://www.actiontoendpovertyinalberta.org

http://www.vibrantcalgary.com

http://community.ywcaofcalgary.com