Asking the Clergy: Economy's impact on turnout

Deacon Andy Walker, Kings Chapel Church of God in Christ, Southampton:

A church's economic aspect depends a lot on the community it's in. We're a small congregation of mostly minority congregants. We do have breadwinners who have lost their jobs and turn to the church for help. It also affects us because they're not able to pay their tithes or to pay as much.

Here, unless you're a teacher, work at the hospital or the town of Southampton, you're probably not a full-time worker with benefits. You may not have a job year-round. We have a lot of people who work two or three jobs in the summer, so they can't attend church as often.

We also have congregants from Queens and West Suffolk. If the economy is bad, they can't always afford the gas each week to get to church.

We have a ministry to help families. We know that we help people, but don't know who. You have to help in a respectful way. Not everyone has to know your business. We want to offer the help in a dignified way.

Minister JoAnn Barrett, Gathering of Light Multifaith Spiritual Fellowship, Dix Hills:

I can agree with people who are talking about attendance going up because of people in need. We have a segment where people can share their pain and ask for prayer and help. Increasingly, it has been more concern over financial issues and economic hardships. I would say we have a 10 percent increase in attendance. Usually, our attendance goes down in the summer. It didn't. I'm curious to see what the fall will bring. I find that people are giving the same. I think people see the value in giving. Their faith inspires them.

I'm actually inspired by individuals turning to their faith and their belief in that higher power to carry them through these difficult times. They put their faith and finances into a higher power when the world says otherwise. It is very inspiring.

Pastor Timothy Riss, Hicksville United Methodist Church:

The effect on church attendance and activity has been minimal. We all feel a strain and a sense of stress - especially the leaders of the church. Several families have lost jobs, and a few have lost their homes, but almost all of them have stayed in the area and have stayed active with the congregation. We're getting new members, too. Meanwhile, our donations are down about 1 percent from last year, but compared to 2007 they're up 4 percent.

There have been some shifts in church activities because of the recession. We're emphasizing mission work now more than Bible study and personal growth. We've established a food pantry that's a great success. In July, we sent a couple of dozen youth to Appalachia to rehab housing. People want to be helpful in tough times, and we're glad to be a part of that.

Rabbi Avraham Rabinowich, Bellmore Jewish Center and vice president of the Long Island Board of Rabbis:

I've been preaching about this, and I dedicated a High Holidays sermon on this topic. Like in every other congregation, we have many families who are struggling, people who have lost their jobs. I encourage them to be strong and to hold onto their pride. "Don't lose your pride or your self-confidence. Don't feel ashamed for losing your job. You're still a gifted human being with the ability to accomplish great things. Don't feel guilty, for you have done nothing wrong."

This year, my High Holiday message was to incorporate joy and pride into whatever we do even in the most difficult of times. And, we must work to keep our pride and hope even in the most challenging moments. This year during the High Holidays, I told congregatns that we should pray profusely to God to grant us pride and glory, hope, confidence, strength and joy.

Thank God, we have a great community and a strong support system. As a rabbi, it is my duty to help my congregation, help them to be strong and remain filled with hope.

Our congregation just wrote a new Torah scroll. We started last year. It is a costly project, and even in these difficult times people participated, donated and were very involved in it. We call it the Torah of hope. We celebrated the conclusion of our new Torah Sept. 19.