Discernment - Thursday
Fairview is currently a two week time of discernment. The Community Discovery Team has spent several months talking with our neighbors and community members to hear about the needs present in the Fairview neighborhood. Every person at Fairview is being asked to spend time each day in prayer, listening for God’s guidance for our church.
Thursday - Working to End Food Insecurity
About 175,000 people in Indianapolis live with food insecurity. Someone who is food insecure lacks the consistent access to enough food for a healthy and active live. Almost 50,000 children in Indianapolis are food insecure. These numbers include many residents in the community surrounding Fairview. Many families and individuals south of the church towards 38th Street are in need, but so are many in all directions from the church, including seniors and college students.
Due to lack of financial resources and employment opportunities, alongside the scarcity of healthy food retail options, food insecurity remains an issue for many residents of our community. School 43 provides free school meals to all students, The Boulevard Place Food Pantry serves thousands of residents each year, and many in our neighborhood receive government food assistance in one form or another.
Take a few moments to quiet yourself and then read the scripture below. If it is helpful, get in a comfortable position, close your eyes, and concentrate on taking a few deep breaths before reading.
Matthew 25:44-45
When was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?” Then Jesus will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.”
Take a few moments to answer the following questions. If it is helpful to you, feel free to write your answers down.
What is your personal experience with the need to work to end food insecurity?
Where in the community have you seen evidence of this need?
Why do you think it might be important for Fairview to have a part in addressing this need?
What do you think God might be saying to you or to Fairview about ending food insecurity?
When you are ready say aloud or read quietly the following prayer.