Clergy from left, Deacon Amy Schmuck, Deacon Cynthia Biddlecomb, retired, The Rev. Mary Ann Hill and The Rev. Lynn Finnegan. Photo by Nate Limback/ladailypost.com
By The Rev. Mary Ann Hill
Rector
Trinity on the Hill Episcopal Church
What a difference two decades makes! At the very beginning of his first term in office, President George W. Bush issued two executive orders aimed at faith-based and community organizations in order to improve the delivery of social services:
“Faith-based and community organizations (FBCOs) have a long tradition of helping Americans in need and together represent an integral part of our nation’s social service network. Yet, all too often, the Federal government has put in place complicated rules and regulations preventing FBCOs from competing for funds on an equal footing with other organizations. President Bush believes that besides being inherently unfair, such an approach can waste tax-payer dollars and cut off the poor from successful programs.” (George W. Bush White House Archives)
Two years ago, religious bodies from all over the state of Oklahoma came together to resettle refugees from Afghanistan who had served along side our US military. Dozens of Christian and other religious groups bridged the political divide and worked in concert. And we did this without any thought of converting or proselytizing. We simply did what Jesus asked us to do – love our neighbors as ourselves. Oklahoma resettled the largest number of refugees after California and Texas. That would not have been possible without the partnership of faith-based organizations.
In recent days, we have seen members of our government (as well as unelected persons) attack aid groups including Catholic Charities and Lutheran Family Services. I have seen the outstanding work those organizations do delivering assistance, regardless of race, creed, or culture. My own denomination’s refugee resettlement program, one that assisted the US State Department, ceased operations last week. This happened, not just because of the loss of funding, but also because our country is not allowing refugees to come here – including a small number of Afghani collaborators who were left behind. Despite being fully vetted and having plane tickets, they were turned away. Our country did something similar in 1939, with tragic results.
America is a nation that is richly blessed with resources and talent. The percentage of our federal budget spent on foreign and domestic aid was quite small, but yet did so much good, including serving our own interests – such as promoting democracy and capitalism, and identifying and containing health risks, including the Ebola virus. All of that has disappeared in the blink of an eye.
Sadly, God is not glorified, and America is not living up to her promise.
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ –Matthew 25:34-36, NIV
Editor’s note: ‘All Shall Be Well’ is a column written by local women clergy including The Rev. Mary Ann Hill, Rector, Trinity on the Hill Episcopal Church (momaryannhill@gmail.com); The Rev. Lynn Finnegan, Associate Rector, The Episcopal Church of the Holy Faith, Santa Fe (rev.lynn@holyfaithchurchsf.org); Deacon Amy Schmuck, Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church (deaconamy@bethluth.com); and ELCA Deacon Cynthia Biddlecomb, M.Div., retired (czoebidd@gmail.com).