January 9, 2007

Presented by the Greene County Foundation, the Greene County 4 Community Steering Committee, three local ministerial associations, Wabash Valley Human Services, and the Greene County CAPE Consortium.

Local churches have been reporting recently that they are overwhelmed by requests for cash assistance and material support. The ministry often struggles with how to best help those in need who are facing a major life crisis.

The presidents of three local ministerial associations, the Greene County Foundation, the CAPE Consortium, Wabash Valley Health and Human Services, and the Family Life Center have been meeting to discuss this issue. How can our community's churches make an impact on poverty in Greene County by working together?

They decided that the first step in working together to make a difference is to develop a common base of knowledge about poverty issues among the local church community. In partnership with the Foundation and CAPE, they are inviting the ministers and those in their churches responsible for mission and Christian education to attend a two day workshop entitled: "What Every Church Member Needs to Know About Poverty."

This workshop, developed by Ruby Payne, is normally quite expensive. Thanks to the support of our partners, it will be offered at $25 per member. The price includes a book and meals during the sessions as well as a current listing of social service providers in our community.

The two day workshop will be offered twice, once at the Cincinnati Christian Church and once at the First Baptist Church of Linton. The eastern session will take place on consecutive Saturdays, January 13 and 20 from 9 until 4. The western session will be offered on Monday and Tuesday, February 12 and 13 from 9 until 4.

To register for the workshops, please call the Greene County Foundation at 659-3142, or email us.