Wellington Church Glasgow

Wednesdays April 24th, May 1st, May 8th, May 15th, May 22nd , May 29th at 7.30pm on ZOOM.

From April 24 to May 29 we will use materials provided by Christian Aid titled “Act on Poverty”.

The course has been produced jointly by: Christian Aid; Church Action on Poverty; the Joint Public Issues Team of the URC, Baptist and Methodist churches; and the St Vincent de Paul Society. The course is part of a wider effort by these organisations, across 2024, to bring poverty, local and global, to the top of the political agenda. In the UK this year we will hold a general election. We believe that this is a critical moment to speak up about poverty and to call for those in power to act for change.

Poverty is an outrage against humanity. It robs people of their dignity and lets injustice thrive. God’s love for all people shows us that poverty and the suffering it brings must stop. We believe an end to poverty is possible if those with power are held to account and challenged to act.

In this Bible study you’ll hear personal accounts of the challenges of living in poverty. Perhaps you or others in your group have first-hand knowledge of these challenges. As Kerry Scarlett, vice president of the Methodist Church, tells us in week 3 of the course, it often isn’t easy to talk about such experiences. Members of your group will have different experiences of poverty and of power.

At the heart of the course is the question: How could you create a hospitable space where people feel comfortable to share their personal experience, if they wish to?

If you would like to request the ZOOM details, please fill this form:

Themes Week-by-Week

Week 1 (24th April): Prophetic ‘Let justice roll down like water’ (Amos 5:24)
The Bible shows us that being a prophet is far from easy. But the church is called to speak up about injustice. How, with God’s help, can you and your church develop your prophetic voice?

Week 2 (1st May): Broken ‘Which of these three do you think was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?’ (Luke 10:36) Our politics, our churches, our world are in many ways be divided and in need of redemption and repair. This pack helps you discuss these divisions and the broken systems that produce poverty. How can we be part of God’s healing and redeeming work?

Week 3 (8th May): Generous ‘For all of them have contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had’ (Mark 12:44)
Many people are having to tighten their belts due to the cost-of-living crisis. What might it mean to be ‘generous’ or ‘cheerful givers’ (2 Corinthians 9.7) when we feel like we have nothing to spare? What gifts do we have that we can share?

Week 4 (15th May): Located ‘Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?’ (Mark 2:16)
Beginning with reflections on where Jesus chose to place himself during his ministry, this pack equips your church to look afresh at where you are located. Groups can explore questions about how we discern what God is already doing in our community and who has power in your locality.

Week 5 (22nd May): Hopeful ‘…he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor.’ (Luke 4:18, Isiah 61)
How can we develop practices of hope in challenging times? This session explores lament and anger as part of hope and looks at the expansive vision of hope that God offers us. By growing hope we can be part of Jesus’ proclamation of the good news.

Week 6 (29th May): Together ‘It is like a mustard seed.’ (Mark 4:30-32)
Our final pack looks at what we can do together to tackle poverty, local and global. This resource focuses on practical action in community. Use our Seeds of Change action cards and our ‘Sow, Water, Nurture, Grow’ planning sheets to decide what actions you and your church could take.