What
The ELCA World Hunger "Ethics of Eating" Region 7 Leadership Training
When
September 29 – October 2, 2011
Where
Philadelphia and surrounding areas
Who
ELCA Members in Region 7
7A — New Jersey Synod 7B — New England Synod 7C — Metropolitan New York Synod 7D — Upstate New York Synod 7E — Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod 7F — Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod 7G — Slovak Zion Synod
Questions
If you have any questions, please contact Erin Cummisford by
e-mail or at 1-800-638-3522 ext. 2792 or 1-773-380-2792.
How to Apply
If you would like to apply to attend this event, please download the informational flyer; contact Erin Cummisford by
e-mail for the Ethics of Eating application.
Due Date
Your completed application and letter of support is due to the ELCA by August 1, 2011. Participants will be notified of acceptance shortly thereafter. After August 1, 2011, applications will be approved on a rolling basis until all openings are filled.
Note: ELCA World Hunger is underwriting the cost of participation in this event.
Download the 2011 Ethics of Eating Informational Flyer 
About the Event
Are you concerned about how the way what you eat and the way we produce food in this country impacts the environment, those who are hungry and those who work in food production? Do you want to explore these issues through workshops and conversations with farmers and activists? Then you may be interested in the upcoming leadership training on the ethics of eating sponsored by ELCA World Hunger. This event is for those who want to explore these issues and share what they discern with their congregation, campus, community or synod.
These issues will be explored from a theological perspective: how should we eat such that it is just, and healthy for human beings and the environment? We will ask this question with respect to organic, local and conventional farming and their relation to hunger, food worker rights and the environment. We will brainstorm about how what we learn should inform the work of the church, particularly with respect to organizing, fundraising, education and the lifestyle of members of the church. Afterwards, each participant is expected to host an event of their choice in their local area.
Here are the goals for our participants in this event. We hope each participant will:
- Have increased capacity to advocate for a just and sustainable food system--with respect to the way food is distributed in this country--on behalf of those who work to produce food, those who are hungry and the environment. Reflect upon the ways in which these issues should impact our food choices and the way we eat.
- Implement a project, action or activity as a follow-up to this event.
- Subsequently participate in the Hunger Leaders Network and potentially our online community.
Here are questions that are guiding our plans for this event:
- What are a few theological frames for thinking about eating in a way that is just and healthy for human beings and the environment?
- How is food produced and distributed in this country? What is the role of urban, local, organic and conventional farming in this system?
- What are some local and regional issues for farmers and farm workers?
- How do these different ways of distributing food locally, nationally and globally impact: a) hunger in urban and rural areas, b) the environment and climate change, and c) worker justice?
- How should we eat such that it is just, healthy and sustainable for humanity and the environment?
- What are facets of individual, synod and congregational advocacy for policies that would enable everyone to eat this way?
We in ELCA World Hunger are excited about this event. Local farmers, farm workers, food production workers, consumers and actors in food, hunger and environmental justice networks will be involved in the event, which will include visits to farms and urban agriculture programs.
We look forward to receiving your application.