CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is celebrating the 25th anniversary of its World Hunger Appeal this year. In honor of the anniversary, the ELCA Church Council set a goal to make a $25,000 "personal commitment" to the 1999 World Hunger Appeal.
The council is the ELCA's board of directors and serves as the legislative authority of the church between meetings of its churchwide assemblies. The council met here April 9-12. Assemblies are held every other year; the next is August 16-22 in Denver.
"In thanksgiving to God for all of God's blessings to this church and to us as individuals, the council will commit itself to double its annual gift to the World Hunger Appeal," said the Rev. Larry V. Smoose, council member from Media, Pa. The council challenged members and congregations of the ELCA to bring the total of the appeal to $25 million for 1999.
The council recommended that the 1999 ELCA Churchwide Assembly adopt a resolution for the church to increase its awareness of hunger in the United States and throughout the world, to increase financial support of the ELCA World Hunger Appeal and Program through regular contributions and designated gifts, and to thank supporters of the appeal.
The goal for the 1999 ELCA World Hunger Appeal is $12.6 million.
Some congregations of the ELCA will mark the anniversary by using the number 25 in fund-raising activities throughout the year. Members of the church will pray, conduct "services of recommitment" and plan activities and offerings in celebration of the appeal during a special 25-day period -- Nov. 1-25.
At its spring 1999 meeting, the ELCA Conference of Bishops affirmed a goal for the church to raise $25 million in honor of the anniversary.
The ELCA World Hunger Appeal was established at the 1987 Constituting Convention of the ELCA. Churches that formed the ELCA launched the world hunger appeal in 1974. Since then the appeals have earned more than $200 million.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.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
