Each of our traditions calls us to care for those in need, those who are hungry, those who are without a home. Auburn's programs offer a unique take on the common theme:

• • Unwrapping Christmas: Preaching the Christmas Message for Our Times - How does the first century context of the Roman Empire into which Jesus was born inform the message of Christmas? How did the issues of poverty, social injustice and the struggle of the Jewish minority against Roman domination impact the early development of the faith? How might these historical realities inform contemporary Christian witness? Led by Richard Horsely, author of Christmas Unwrapped: Consumerism, Christ and Culture, the Rev. Barbara Lundblad, Associate Professor of Preaching at Union Seminary and members of the UTS Poverty Initiative.
• • Becoming the Promised Land - this two-day conference explored the biblical and theological foundations and contexts for work with and among the prison re-entry population. It considered ways in which the church and church-related institutions, as well as other communities and organizations work with formerly incarcerated women and men to bring about God's healing and wholeness. Keynote speakers included Rita Nakishima Brock, James Forbes, Renita Weems and Donald Shriver.
• • Good News From the Poor: Building Relationships, Developing Leaders - This course was designed for clergy, congregational leaders, committees and boards, who are working to meet te emergency needs of the poor and address the systemic causes of poverty in the U.S. Led by Liz Theoharis and Wille Baptist of the UTS Poverty Inititative.

Three links that will change the way you live and lead in regard to poverty:

• • When you need to speak on poverty from the pulpit or to the press, the National Poverty Center gives you the facts you need to inspire action in your community and sound informed.
  • If you want to go deeper in your anti-poverty justice work, the Poverty Initiative in collaboration with Union Theological Seminary offers courses for religious leaders.
• • Habitat for Humanity is one of the easiest ways to mobilize your faith community to end homelessness.