Faithful Philly Forum

For those of you who were unable to attend the MLK conversation on Monday, I would like to recap what went on.   Dr. King’s speech given at Riverside Church in New York was played.  For me, it seemed as though the places Dr. King said “Vietnam” could have been replaced with “Iraq” and “Communism” replaced by “Terrorism” to speak to us today.  Rev. Fernandez explained how he got to know Dr. King and arrange the speech given at Riverside.  Both Rev. Fernandez and Dr. Stephen Ray were prompt at answering the array of questions, which were raised after the speech.   Personal questions about Martin Luther King, Jr. were asked, such as, “Toward the end of his life, wasn’t Dr. King reconsidering non-violent action?”   There were also questions concerned about the continuation of US empire today and why  things haven’t changed.   The forum proved to be an enlightening event for all those in attendance.  If you’ve never listened to Dr. King’s “Riverside” speech, I would encourage you to do so if you have the chance.

Don’t forget abut our upcoming event, “A Conversation on Peace and Justice!”  Monday, January 28th from 4 to 6 at the Houston Hall Golkin Room,  the Christian Association is sponsoring  a forum to remind us of the injustices and inequality that Dr. King spoke out against.   Those in attendance will hear King’s “Riverside Speech” and will have the opportunity to ask questions to a two-person panel.  Dr. Stephen Ray, from the Lutheran Theological Seminary and Rev. Richard Fernandez, who helped to organize Dr. King’s “Riverside Speech” are the featured panelists.   So, come on out and hear how Dr. King’s message still speaks to us today!

This just in. Penn School of Nursing has found that nearly half (41%) of those in nursing or social work positions (presumably that is medical social workers) would NOT choose their profession should they have it to do over because they are experiencing feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, fatigued and a sense of powerlessness. This is being called “Moral distress”. They see the unfairness in the medical system in the distribution of resources (among other ethical andmoral issues.) There was a prayer request  at Church on Sunday for a young woman who has a painful cyst on her ovaries but who has no health insurance.  She is living on painkillers until she works enough days to qualify for coverage so she can schedule surgery. When it comes to health care there is much moral distress! How can this country of riches have 9.4 children without health insurance, especially when 90% of those live in working families. Marian Wright Edelman, founder and director of the Children’s Defense Fund, speaking at Penn this week on the occasion of the Martin Luther King celebrations said, “I had no idea how hard it would be to get this country to do what is right and moral for our chidren.” Moral distress indeed! We could use some shifts in its moral priorities.