Houses of worship are only beginning to come to terms with the economic angst pulsing across the Lower Hudson Valley and through the nation. Religious leaders are encountering frightened congregants who are worried about losing their jobs and their savings or seeing their standard of living slide like a runaway sleigh.
“We do have an increasing number of unemployed people in church, and those with jobs are very stressed, fearful that they’ll lose their jobs,” said the Rev. Susan Harriss, pastor of Christ’s (Episcopal) Church in Rye, a well-to-do parish where the recession is on everyone’s minds. “We’re trying to help people be calm and use their faith to cope. Being connected with a religious community at times like this is very helpful, and I hope that even people who have doubts about institutional religion will step inside a church or a synagogue.”
Harriss said that church leaders are staying in regular touch with people under stress. At the same time, the church – like other houses of worship – is trying to maintain its commitment to helping the hungry, the homeless and others with greater needs.
“An unexpected side effect of a time like this is that it can draw people together,” she said.
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The Journal-News: Congregations aim to ease recession fears
Houses of worship are only beginning to come to terms with the economic angst pulsing across the Lower Hudson Valley and through the nation. Religious leaders are encountering frightened congregants who are worried about losing their jobs and their savings or seeing their standard of living slide like a runaway sleigh.
“We do have an increasing number of unemployed people in church, and those with jobs are very stressed, fearful that they’ll lose their jobs,” said the Rev. Susan Harriss, pastor of Christ’s (Episcopal) Church in Rye, a well-to-do parish where the recession is on everyone’s minds. “We’re trying to help people be calm and use their faith to cope. Being connected with a religious community at times like this is very helpful, and I hope that even people who have doubts about institutional religion will step inside a church or a synagogue.”
Harriss said that church leaders are staying in regular touch with people under stress. At the same time, the church – like other houses of worship – is trying to maintain its commitment to helping the hungry, the homeless and others with greater needs.
“An unexpected side effect of a time like this is that it can draw people together,” she said.
Read it all.