Listening Project results as reported to Parish Pastoral Council

AMOS at St. Vivian 2003 - 2004

St. Vivian is now part of the AMOS Project. AMOS is a coalition of faith based congregations in the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky region committed to living out their faith through public action. Pastors, ministers and congregations are working together to address critical issues facing our communities and the area. AMOS has been in existence in Cincinnati for three years. Currently there are 31 member congregations of various denominations and racial makeup.

The organization takes its name from the Old Testament prophet Amos who said, "Let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an everflowing stream" (Amos 5:24).

The goals of AMOS are to use education, training and action to:

Strengthen each member congregation.

Promote and support development of existing and new leaders.

Develop a powerful vehicle to address local issues of concern to all.

Build relationships between diverse groups of the community.

Achieve justice, dignity and human worth.

AMOS works with public officials via its Task Forces to address critical public issues.The Task Forces select a specific issue that can be resolved in a year or less. Currently there are task forces in five areas: Youth, Education, Housing/Urban Sprawl, Crime/Drugs, and Race Relations. At its annual public meeting, the Task Forces report on their progress.

As a new member congregation, St. Vivian has formed a core team. Dave and Sue Lennert have volunteered to be core team leaders. The core team will conduct one-on-one interviews with a representative sample of parishioners to determine the critical issues facing our parish community, our Finneytown neighborhood and Greater Cincinnati. The result of these interviews will lead to any indicated actions within our parish.

Separately, St. Vivian core team members will be encouraged to participate on one of the AMOS Task Forces. The Task Forces are a great opportunity to meet people of other faiths, of other races and from other parts of the area. Many people are interested in social justice and are looking for a way to help achieve it. AMOS is a great opportunity. Anyone wanting more information about AMOS or wishing to be a St. Vivian core team member can contact Dave or Sue Lennert at 772-7731.