DENVER (ELCA) -- The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is celebrating the 25th anniversary of its World Hunger Appeal this year. About 50 voting members and visitors of the 1999 ELCA Churchwide Assembly heard about the appeal's anniversary at a hearing here Aug. 17.
The churchwide assembly, the chief legislative authority of the ELCA, is meeting here Aug. 16-22 at the Colorado Convention Center. There are more than 2,500 people participating, including 1,039 voting members. The theme for the biennial assembly is "Making Christ Known: Hope for a New Century."
The purpose of the hearing was to provide information on how members of the ELCA can renew their commitment to support "generously" the church's work to combat hunger at home and throughout the world. Voting members and guests spent time also hearing about the ELCA Domestic Disaster Response and Lutheran Disaster Response, a ministry of the ELCA and The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. The 90-minute hearing -- = non-legislative in nature -- offered the opportunity for discussion about hunger and disaster response.
"The ELCA World Hunger Appeal is the way our church invites itself to give in support of hunger ministries," said Lita Brusick Johnson, director for World Hunger and Disaster Appeals, ELCA Division for Congregational Ministries, Chicago.
Johnson said there has been much progress in the fight against hunger. "In 1974, one out of three individuals were chronically malnourished. Today, it is one out of five," she said. "That's still a scandal, but which statistic would you prefer? We can make a difference, and we are making a difference to end chronic hunger."
The goal for the 1999 ELCA World Hunger Appeal is to raise $12.6 million.
Some congregations of the ELCA will mark the appeal's 25th anniversary by using the number 25 in fund-raising activities throughout the year, said Johnson. In addition, 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, 1999.
Johnson told the assembly's voting members and visitors at the hearing that "there are four 'R's in the World Hunger Appeal anniversary:" remembering, reflecting, reconnecting and recommitting.
"We remember to give thanks to the church. We reflect and look at how far we have come in supporting the appeal. Congregations must reconnect and recommit to supporting the appeal, and recommit to prayer to end hunger in our time," Johnson said.
"About 73 percent of ELCA World Hunger budget is provided for hunger relief and development around the world. It is channeled through key partners like Lutheran World Relief and the Lutheran World Federation for their relief and development work," said the Rev. John L. Halvorson, coordinator for the World Hunger Program, ELCA Division for Church in Society, Chicago.
"Twelve percent of the appeal is designated for hunger relief and development in the United States, and nine percent is provided for hunger education and advocacy. For administration, fundraising and communication, 6.5 percent is allocated," Halvorson said.
Voting members of the 1999 ELCA Churchwide Assembly will consider adopting 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 ELCA World Hunger Appeal was established at the 1987 Constituting Convention of the ELCA. Churches that formed the ELCA launched the appeal in 1974. Since that time the appeal has raised more than $200 million.
"When major disasters strike, the ELCA is there," said the Rev. Bonnie L. Jensen, executive director of the ELCA Division for Global Mission, Chicago.
"ELCA International Disaster Response enables Lutheran World Relief, the Lutheran World Federation and other ecumenical partners to respond effectively to many disasters around the world," said Jensen. She said the ELCA works closely with and channel its funds through Action by Churches Together, a worldwide network of churches and related agencies meeting human need through coordinated emergency response.
The ELCA Domestic Disaster Response responds to the needs of victims and survivors of major disasters in the United States and Caribbean, said the Rev. Gilbert B. Furst, director for ELCA Domestic Disaster Response. In 1998, the ELCA responded to 30 disasters in the United States and Caribbean.
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
