A Moment for Mission
“Those who are generous are blessed, for they share their bread with the poor.” —Proverbs 22:9, NRSVUE
Did you know The United Methodist Church has been a part of the labor movement throughout history and is committed to fairness and justice in the workplace?
In the early 20th century, the church was working to end child labor. And in the 1950s, during the US civil rights movement, we were fighting for fair wages and better working conditions. We were dedicated to fairness and justice in the workplace then, and we still are today.
When John Wesley founded the Methodist movement during the 18th century, there was no “labor movement” the way we’d understand it today. But Wesley preached to and cared for coal miners and other oppressed workers. He also opposed slavery. After Wesley died, his followers continued to work against workplace injustices in rapidly industrializing England, adopting the first Social Creed in 1908, which dealt exclusively with labor practices.
Thanks to United Methodists’ generous support of the World Service Fund, the General Board of Church and Society lives out its work of pursuing peace with justice by focusing on Scripture, The Social Principles and The Book of Resolutions as its core documents.
Children’s Message
Proverbs, chapter 22, verse 9 (NRSVUE) says, “Those who are generous are blessed, for they share their bread with the poor.”
Tomorrow is Labor Day. On Labor Day, we can think about all the hard work people do to make our lives better. The United Methodist Church wants to make sure that there are laws in place to make sure workplaces are safe, that children are not forced to work and that people are treated fairly and paid enough to care for themselves and their families.
This week is a great time to wave and say thank you to trash collectors, nurses, police officers, teachers and others who are generous with their time and who make our community stronger with their hard work.
Prayer on Labor Day from Praying for Change: Daily Prayers for Anti-Racism
God of vocation and purpose, for all who celebrate labor and those who are laborers, we often don’t think too highly of certain ways of working, necessary workers, essential workers. So, help us on this Labor Day to give thanks to those who work with their hands, those who get dirty, those who sacrifice while working for the good of us all. Help us give honor to those who do the jobs many won’t do. May we who speak of equality recognize the equality of labor and the dignity of all those who work. Amen.
By Derek Weber
Newsletter Nugget
“Those who are generous are blessed, for they share their bread with the poor.” —Proverbs 22:9, NRSVUE
For over a century, Americans have celebrated Labor Day on the first Monday in September. Labor advocates in the late 19th century proposed an annual federal holiday to honor workers.
The United Methodist Church continues to support fair and just working conditions for workers everywhere as it has since the beginning of the labor movement in the United States.
Consider reaching out to people in the church this week whose vital work often goes unnoticed. Offer a word of thanks to custodians, office employees, kitchen staff or other church staff, celebrating them as children of God and partners in ministry.