Labor Day 2011 has come and gone, but in some circles, it didn’t have the luster of yesteryear. Blame that on the struggling economy.

Traditionally marked by barbecues, picnics and parades, which celebrate the economic and social contributions of the American workers, the day left legions of people holding the barbecue sauce but no meat.

In a recent CNN survey, there’s been a surge of wealth reduction among Americans of every stripe. But some ethnic groups are feeling it a lot more than others.

African Americans’ net worth has plummeted by a whopping 55 percent over the past four years. It’s even more acute for Hispanic Americans, whose net worth fell by 66 percent.

Once upon a time, it was commonplace to dismiss sign-waving homeless persons begging for alms as lazy bums. Nowadays, it is harder to detect the non-traditional homeless – those with college degrees living out of their cars.

Unable to find employment, their pride will not allow them to cadge a place to sleep from relatives and friends. They hope that things will take a turn for the best.

As the tenth anniversary of 9/11 approaches, it is my wish that the nation will once again coalesce into an America that spread its love to purple mountains, fruited plains and even concrete garrisons.

Having worked inside the twin towers, and less than a week after my relocating from the Big Apple to Seattle, the carnage shown on TV that fateful Tuesday morning was painful to watch.

It became personal in more ways than one. Despite the opulent offices boasting panoramic views of the city’s landmarks, none of those things mattered that day as metal and glass, mingled with raw flesh, rained down with the conflagration onto the street.

What mattered then was life! Strange people became instant families, not mindful of their earthly possessions minutes earlier. If we could only care more for one another, whether during times of disaster or not, what a wonderful world this would be.

It is quite remarkable to learn that 15 Federal Way pastors will meet Sunday at an ecumenical gathering to commemorate 9/11. This gesture will be a rallying cry to have the clergy become more active in community service.

If religious houses of worship want to stay viable in the 21st century, they have to do more for their communities.

It’s high time that the church took back its erstwhile mission. When the church leads the way, it’s not hard for elected leaders to do their part.

The infancy of Social Security mimicked the dictates of the early church. Every chance he got, President Franklin Roosevelt quoted James 1:27 to champion this government subsidy: “… to look after orphans and widows in their distress.”

Charity begins at home, and the church that takes care of each other is the church that will most impact its community. Church is never about ecclesiastical idiosyncrasies and the perfect hermeneutics; it’s about making a difference in people’s lives.

If one crack house on a street corner can change the dynamics of a community, why can’t 10 churches in a one-mile radius collectively do the same thing?

Pastors, it’s going to take a good balancing act if you decide to preach the Genesis 19 story from your pulpits. When done subjectively, the targets of your sermon might just use this to heap calumny on the things you are not doing.

What if they were to quote Ezekiel 16:49-50, which states, “Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom; they did not help the poor and needy. Therefore, I did away with them as you have seen.”

How I admire the churches that don’t need to be nudged into action. They are the perennial armor-bearers of the disenfranchised.

They offer up their sanctuaries to shelter the homeless when temperatures drop to single digits. They visit the sick and shut-ins — and not just on holidays.

Yes, like corporations, the church is ailing financially. But giving to the needy should not be predicated upon whether the economy is bullish or bearish. Giving is a heart matter. Can’t pay a bill? Then give a word of encouragement.

It should be a collective mandate as Christians to do everything humanly possible to make a difference for those in need, whether spiritually or physically.

Here’s hoping that long after these 9/11 memorials, the clergy will have done something monumental for the neediest of Federal Way’s residents.

Labor Day 2012 will have lots more joie de vivre. And renewed hope will be the wind at our backs whether we have meat or bread to sop up that barbecue sauce.