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April 9, 2007 • VOL. 45, NO. 7 • Oakland, CA
Many left hungry at ecumenical banquet
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| David Hudson of Corpus Christi Parish in Piedmont
eats a full meal while Josefina McKay, also of Corpus Christi, looks
on after finishing her bowl of rice during an ecumenical evening of
prayer and reflection on world hunger. Greg Tarczynski photo |
|
Goal 1: Eradicate extreme poverty
and hunger |
Three entrees.
Two faiths. One People. That is what a blend of Catholic and Episcopal
youth brought to the table on March 29 in a hands-on lesson about hunger.
The “One People” presentation was part of a five-week Lenten
series coordinated by Piedmont’s Corpus Christi Parish and Oakland’s
St. John’s Episcopal Church, focusing on the United Nation’s
eight Millennium Development Goals. The students chose to focus on the
first goal—“to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger”
by 2015.
The 90 or so visitors, expecting a speaker and supper in St. John’s
hall, were surprised when youth, stationed at the dining tables, asked
them to turn over their paper cups. There, the mix of Corpus Christi and
St. John’s diners found red, green or yellow stickers.
“Reds” were told to line up near the bathrooms, where they
received only water and a small scoop of rice, with no refills.
“Greens” were sent to a closer line, where they were given
rice and beans, with water and refills.
Those with yellow stickers were served at the table with huge portions
of lasagna, two brownies, salad and water; they were allowed seconds.
Rita Mitchell,
a Corpus Christi parishioner and organizer of “One People,”
explained that “reds” represented “the 55 percent of
people in the world who are very, very lucky to have a bowl of rice.”
The “greens” represented the 30 percent who have sufficient
food, but have to rely on food stamps, “dumpster dipping”
or other methods to get it.
The “yellows” represented the 15 percent who have “abundant
food of their choosing,” Mitchell said.
St. John’s parishioner Judith Flemming, the sole “yellow”
at her table, wanted to share her brick of lasagna with the four “reds”
and four “greens” sitting around her, but Alex Slatoff said
no.
The Piedmont High School sophomore and St. John’s youth member who
was seated with group said, “They should get the true meaning.”
Leftovers were thrown away.
Reading from discussion questions, Slatoff asked her group, “Was
the meal fair or unfair?” Two “reds” from St. John’s
spoke up. “Unfair,” said Mary Lou DeLauer. Laurie Bennett
said, “It was a surprise. You’re not prepared for it.”
Slatoff asked whether anyone had ever missed a meal, other than by choice.
Everyone said no.
After dinner, St. John’s rector, the Rev. Scott Denman, welcomed
the interfaith crowd, which booed when he sheepishly admitted he had been
served lasagna. The group then joined voices in a hymn familiar to both
Catholics and Episcopalians, “One Bread, One Body.”
The evening’s speaker, J.C. Orton, talked about another dimension
of hunger among the poor, the “hunger for dignity.” He stressed
the need to smile and make eye contact—to recognize that the “spark
of divinity is within them all, regardless of their exterior appearance.”
Orton feeds hundreds of poor and homeless daily through two Catholic Worker
houses in Berkeley: Night on the Streets and Dorothy Day House.
In response to “One People’s” message, the youth asked
participants to fill out personal commitment cards inspired by the hunger
theme, such as eating no more than a small bowl of rice on Good Friday.
Youth and adults from both congregations filled a large basket with their
confidential pledges, which Denman and the Rev. Molly Darling of St. John’s
offered up in prayer.
Corpus Christi parishioner Lillian Cadenasso felt the program put a local
face on hunger. “We all know about (hunger) and we see it so much—granted
we give money or food, and that’s great—but do we remember
the people in our own back yard?” she said.
Cadenasso observed that the two churches share a community that hosts
“all walks of life,” including those in need. “Many
are just like we are. Many have just been dealt a different blow,”
she said. That need creates opportunities for parishioners, she said.
“There are so many places to help.”
St. John’s and Corpus Christi reunited this year after their successful
ecumenical series in 2006, which examined the stances of their two faiths.
The parishes chose the MDG theme because Catholics and Episcopalians worldwide
have embraced the goals, Denman said.
The MDG, adopted by nearly 190 U.N. members in 2000, are eight goals to
reduce poverty, disease and deprivation. Leaders believe they can be achieved
by 2015 if certain monetary guidelines are followed.
The Catholic Church is responding through such efforts as the Catholic
Campaign Against Global Poverty, with which the Diocese of Oakland has
collaborated to provide information and resources.
Corpus Christi’s pastor, Father Leo Edgerly, Jr., said achieving
the goals is “perfectly realistic.” He said, “The solution
is to work together … Imagine the impact if we do.”
The 2007 Lenten series began March 1; One Faith highlighted interfaith
cooperation; One Earth focused on sharing the planet; One Mind centered
on empowering women; and One Body focused on HIV/AIDS.
Each of the churches hosted different programs, and audiences averaged
100 people, Denman said.
Corpus Christi and St. John’s plan to team up for another series
next year, Denman said.
