(CHICAGO) ELCA -- "On the Sunday when many are tuned to the big football game and celebrating with football parties, we ask that congregations raise awareness and funds for the forgotten hungry," said Dr. Patricia J. Larsen, Tacoma, Wash. Hundreds of congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America will join an interfaith effort to "fight against hunger in the local community, the nation and the world" on Super Bowl Sunday, Jan. 25.
Larsen, associate director for the ELCA's World Hunger Appeal, said, the effort "can be as simple as having several members stand at the back of the church with large soup pots. As people leave they can donate money, perhaps equal to what they will spend on their Super Bowl refreshments."
Holy Spirit Lutheran Church, Reading, Pa., will hold its annual congregation meeting Jan. 25 with a "Souper Bowl" event. "We have asked families to bring pots of their favorite soup to share with others and donate money to the ELCA's World Hunger Appeal," said the Rev. Robert G. Kaltenbaugh, Johnstown, Pa.
Youth from St. Stephen Lutheran Church, Pearland, Texas, will use large soup kettles to collect donations as parishioners leave worship the morning of the game. Donations will be delivered directly to the "Christian Helping Hands" food pantry in Pearland. "The process is simple and the youth or an auxiliary of the congregation can make it happen," said the Rev. Brian K. Gigee, New Orleans.
Other congregations collect pledges based on the score of the game or hold a special soup luncheon. "The possibilities are endless and totally up to the participating congregations," Larsen said. Congregations select and send the contributions directly to the ministry of their choice.
For information contact:
Ann Hafften, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://www.elca.org/co/news/current.html
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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 2.8 million members in more than 8,500 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work. Our hands.," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.
For information contact:
Candice Hill Buchbinder
Public Relations Manager
Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org
