Charitable givings are going down.

You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to know that. Just read the newspapers. Or talk to people. But finally, it has made it’s way to the top level.

According to the Yearbook of American and Canadian Churches, a publication that studies these things, charitable giving has dropped to levels not seen in 80 years. You have to go back to the Great Depression of the 1930s to find a time when people gave as little to charity as they do today.

It may strike some people as serious a matter as “How many angels can dance on the head of a pin?”, but the United Methodist Church in the U.S. has just finished a consultation about celebrating the Christian church’s core ritual, called the Sacrament of Holy Communion or the Lord’s Supper, online.

Imagine, for a moment, you are a U.S. senator. The United States Senate has a designated chaplain who offers prayer at the opening of every daily session.

But the assembly is deadlocked. There is no agreement on anything. Partisan politics rule the day. The U.S. government is shut down and employees are furloughed. National parks are closed. Government services at a complete standstill.

I don’t generally go to public meetings or protests. I’ve usually steered away, having other things I choose or have to do.

But I made a point of attending the meeting in front of the bus terminal in Owen Sound last Monday. I’m glad I went.

I was convinced to go by the words of a few wise members of my congregation. People who are well into their mature years and steeped in wisdom of life.

Many years ago, a friend of mine underwent chemotherapy. She found it a difficult experience, as many do, but what was most difficult for her was something she called “the stupids.”

One of the side effects of the chemo was that for nearly a year after, she could not think quickly or critically. It was almost as if something in her brain was blocking the processing of information.

She was frustrated, because as a creative and intelligent person, “the stupids” got in her way.

I don’t like to namedrop, but I will. I had lunch last week with Owen Sound Mayor Deb Haswell.

She was guest speaker at the meeting of the Rotary Club of Owen Sound. Politicians like to speak to groups of people.

It’s more time effective to speak to a group and get their point across.

Over lunch, we had many conversations, including the possible transfer of the Owen Sound harbour to private interests.