08377
May 13, 2008

Stimulus checks inspire action to share

North Carolina Sunday school class aims to multiply the benefits

by Heather DeNona
Oak Ridge (NC) Presbyterian Church
Special to Presbyterian News Service

OAK RIDGE, NC — The Young Adult Sunday School Class at Oak Ridge Presbyterian Church in Salem Presbytery is challenging everyone to make a difference.

The class is applying their studies to real world practice by putting their IRS stimulus payments to work.  “We were studying Luke 19: 11-27, ‘The Parable of the Ten Minas,’” explained Don McIver. “The lesson of the parable is that we are charged with using the gifts we are given, and the more we put our talents and gifts to good use, the more we will receive.”

McIver added, “We realized that putting our stimulus checks to work for the good of others was a perfect opportunity to practice this lesson.”

The stimulus payments are intended to encourage Americans to boost the economy through spending.  The class envisioned reporters standing on the sidewalk of Best Buy as the checks arrived in the mail, interviewing shoppers on how they spent it. 

“So we asked ourselves, ‘What about using that money for something other than a new TV,’” said class member David Broach.

The group is challenging all congregation members, other churches and organizations, and even the entire country to consider applying part or all of their checks to serve others in need. 

On May 18th they will host a forum with the congregation to determine where the funds will be applied, noting that it can be as small as a recently widowed neighbor who needs her yard mowed or to a larger organization such as a community food pantry.

 “We want to put our money where our mouth is. We want to put our faith into action,” said Heather DeNona. “We can spend it frivolously, we can spend it on ‘stuff,’ or we can send it back into the economy in ways that better help our neighbors.”

At last month’s Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) General Assembly Council meeting, members of that body were encouraged to spend their stimulus checks on Presbyterian world mission.