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By Chris Starr
Looking for God’s activity among the citizens of Atlanta was
the theme of a recent three-day workshop held for Atlanta seminarians.
The workshop was sponsored by the Urban Training Organization of
Atlanta (UTOA) in conjunction with Sister Janet Valente of the Archdiocesan
Office of Urban Affairs.
Ed Grider, director of UTOA, gave the seminarians an overview of
Atlanta’s history focusing on the problems of race relations and
population distribution.
Grider explained the various sections of Atlanta and how these
sections represent the racial and economic groups living in the metropolitan
area.
Special concern was shown for the cooperation that will be
necessary between residents which represent diverse racial and economic
backgrounds.
Following a presentation by staff members, the group later toured
model cities, a federal government program to help rebuild the inner city.
Leading the group through the project was a local resident who pointed out the
local changes achieved through this program.
Other institutions that were visited by Atlanta seminarians, most
of whom are not Atlanta residents, were the Trust Company Bank, city and state
government offices, Grady Hospital, Central Atlanta Progress and a
14th Street residence for runaway and transient teenagers.
Special presentations were given at Druid Hills Presbyterian
Church by the United Farm Workers Union (UFW) and the National Organization of
Women (NOW).
At a theological reflection session after the three-day
orientation to the city, students discussed the implications that the problems
and programs of Atlanta had for their future ministry.
The awareness of “social sin” or a neglect by
institutions to provide for those in need and the overall needs of the city
were felt to be areas where the Church’s teaching role could be
effectively used.
One participant commented at the end of the session, “As a
Church we need to witness to the values of the Gospel and help shape the
environment of the city so that all may live in dignity and peace.”
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