Local Community Responses

Michael Ramos serves as the Executive Director of the Church Council of Greater Seattle, which just celebrated 100 years of ministry this year.   His lifelong work interweaving spirituality and social justice has included more than three decades of ecumenical and interfaith collaboration.  He was the Director of Latino Ministry in the Diocese of Oakland in the mid-1990s.  Today, the Church Council convenes and catalyzes people of faith and congregations  throughout the Puget Sound Region to uphold and affirm the rights and dignity of all and to support thriving communities. He came to the Pacific Northwest as a Jesuit Volunteer.  He is married to his wife Donna with two adult daughters Rebecca and Elena.  He holds a Master of Divinity degree from Seattle University and is a Doctoral Ministry candidate.

These videos were produced during the time of Covid-19.

Centering Wisdom

Reflection:

Mr. Ramos discussed how faith based organizations (FBO) responded in high numbers, sometimes with more response than local, state or national governments towards folks experiencing homlessness. Why is it that FBO’s are one of the first responders to people’s needs? How can government or non-FBO organizations create resources that churches are providing?

Activity:

Journal for 10 minutes on how faith communities can create coalitions with other organizations to create adequate care for those near homelessness or are experiencing shelterlessness in your community.