Once again the Worker’s Day Campaign is upon us. As you may know, this is a church based campaign that begins every year on the 1st of May, aimed at building solidarity with the working and unemployed poor. This campaign presents us as the church community with an opportunity toshow our solidarity with the poor which our Lord Jesus Christ chose to identify with. During this time churches are urged to dedicate one service from the 1st of May to the marginalised. Our belief is that as we do so, we join Jesus in bringing the liberating gospel to the poor. This is also an opportunity for us to connect with those that Jesus calls “blessed” for it is through these connections that we as the Church community can experience the grace of God.
Last year the Worker Sunday Campaign focussed on those that were excluded, marginalised and left in the margins as a result of the World Cup. During this time we called upon churches to embark on public services as a way of declaring their support with these and against the injustices that ensured that the poor remain outside the camp.
This year the focus of the Worker Sunday Campaign is on “Exploring Alternatives”. This theme stems from a sad reality and recognition that our current socio-economic context fails to serve the interests of the poor. This context makes aloud proclamation that the world as it is, is the direct opposite of what God would want it to be. The poor are still systematically excluded from the benefits of our economy; our policies are skewed towards the rich; our political leaders continue to be driven by greed as evidenced by the rampant corruption where our leaders rob the poor for their own personal enrichment; our government is intent on silencing the pooras is clearly demonstrated by the hard rod placed upon those who dare voice outtheir displeasure and anger at the current state of affairs. The poor suffer the consequences of climate change they are not even responsible for.The oppression and marginalisation of women is far from being over, keeping most of them at the margins of society .This context demands of us as the church to take a stand,
· astand for justice and against the neoliberal agenda that operates on principles of exclusion and marginalisation.;
· a stand and a call for alternatives,informed by our gospel imperatives of love and solidarity, peace and human dignity.
· and a stand in solidarity with those who suffer the consequences of the current neoliberal policies that place profit ahead of people;
What can you do as the church or activist?
There are a number of ways in which you can become part of the Worker Sunday Campaign
1. Poor people, the unemployed and others that suffer the consequences of the current exclusionary and oppressive policies are all around us. Use this time as a church and church activist as an opportunity to connect to their struggles for it is through our immersion in the struggles of the poor that the church can be the real church. When we do so, we “will be throwing ourselves into the arms of God” allowing ourselves to take seriously “not our own sufferings but those of God in the world[1]”. It is through these struggles that we will truly encounter God.
You can begin by identifying a group of people or a marginalised community you would want to focus on as the church. Once you have identified this group or community, visit them, may be as an individual or a group from your church. Hold open conversations with them. This requires listening with respect to their stories, for out of these stories we can learn a lot about our Lord Jesus Christ and what he requires of us at this time.
2. Find out from this group or community how you and your church can be of support to their struggles. In the short term, one of the ways in which you can show this support is by holding a Worker Sunday Service in support of those you would have connected with. It would be very pleasantif you could discuss with this group or community as you plan your service. ESSET will also provide a Daily Bread Digest with stories from other marginalised groups and a guide for liturgy on how you can organise your Worker Sunday service. The Daily Bread Digest is a theological tool that is produced yearly by ESSET to enable churches engage with poverty related issues that batter our society. You can use this document in whatever way you like as the church. ESSET also has posters that can be sent to you should you have an interest.
3. Lastly, we would be delighted to explore possibilities with you and to hear about your activities on this campaign. You can share your activities in the ESSET website - www.esset.org.za.
May the God of justice – the one we seek to follow inspirer you as you seek to be his hands and feet in our fallen world!
Yours in His Service
___________________
Thembela Njenga
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