I've been unemployed twice in the past ten years. And they were among the worst periods of my life.  It's not just economic.  Aside from the lost income, which creates it's own basket of problems, most who have been unemployed can attest to the range of personal and professional challenges it creates.

What can the church do to reach out to people and families facing what is happening right here and right now?  I'm leaving the question open-ended...anything from macro to micro...from the corridors of power to the streets where it's all happening.  What can we do to reach out?

I know that we have a social safety net that, while full of holes, is still far superior to anything south of the border (God bless that old social-justice Bible thumper Tommy Douglas!).  But is this a time when we should be sitting back on our Lazyboy reclining pews and leaving those who are hurting and scared and unsure to the sole devices of government assistance, or can we do more?

Can we as the Christ's church do more?

I'm interested in all ideas...from blue sky to down and dirty practical.