The MOC is working with the Metropolitan Coalition of Congregations (MCC) on a series of events related to Faith and Financial Justice.  In February, the MCC launched a preaching series "Faith, Financial Justice, and Foreclosure,” in churches and congregations across the three counties of Metro Detroit. The series of sermons, worship experiences, and faith reflections, will take place through the end of March 2012. The series, designed to engage congregants and lay leaders in the fight for fair and ethical banking, highlights the injustice of big banks throwing congregants, friends, and neighbors out of their homes.

On Saturday March 24, at 10 am, Catholic congregations in the South Oakland Vicariate will host another “Faith and Financial Justice” event at Holy Family Church in Birmingham to help provide resources for homeowners who are struggling with foreclosure or underwater mortgages.  MCC Clergy and lay leaders have also formed a team to decide on other actions to take collectively such as moving money from large banks into smaller financial institutions and meeting with State officials to push for more effective policies to help homeowners. 

The first Faith and Financial Justice event, held in November at Prince of Glory Lutheran Church in Madison Heights, addressed the financial crisis from both inside and outside congregations. Over 25 suburban clergy and a dozen local civic and elected officials from the tri-county region gathered, including Oakland County Treasurer Andy Meisner (pictured above), discussed the roots of the crisis and the resources available to help homeowners.

If you want your congregation to consider membership in the MCC, contact Mr. Luke Allen (Harriet Tubman Center) at 313-481-3107, or MCC President, Rev. Ben Sandin (King of Kings ELCA, Shelby Twp.), 586-566-8660.