DENVER (ELCA) -- Members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) are responding to God's call to feed the hungry and seek justice in the world. The 1999 ELCA Churchwide Assembly passed a resolution Aug. 21 that encourages the church to recommit to the ELCA World Hunger Appeal.
The churchwide assembly, the chief legislative authority of the ELCA, is meeting Aug. 16-22 here at the Colorado Convention Center. There are more than 2,500 people participating, including 1,038 voting members. The theme for the biennial assembly is "Making Christ Known: Hope for a New Century."
ELCA Presiding Bishop H. George Anderson suggested the assembly's voting members not treat the consideration of the resolution as "a routine action item." Voting members stood up, read the resolution out loud and passed it unanimously by stating "we will." Anderson is chair of the assembly.
The resolution calls for members of the church to increase their awareness of hunger in the world, to increase financial support of the ELCA World Hunger Appeal through regular contributions and designated gifts, and to thank supporters of the appeal.
"God has given us the ability to eradicate hunger and the means to fulfill that goal," said Dr. Addie J. Butler, ELCA vice president, Philadelphia.
"Imagination is a gift from God," said Lita Brusick Johnson, director of the appeal, Chicago. "The World Hunger Appeal is an expression of a holy imagination given to us by God. That holy imagination inspires our work with others to strengthen what is life-giving= . We recommit and celebrate the gift of holy imagination that chronic hunger will be no more. Through the World Hunger Appeal, we walk with those who are hungry until they are hungry no more," Johnson told the assembly.
The goal for the 1999 ELCA World Hunger Appeal is $12.6 million. The ELCA Church Council and the ELCA Conference of Bishops challenged members and congregations of the ELCA to bring the total of the appeal to $25 million for 1999. The council and conference met Aug. 15-16 here at the Adam's Mark Hotel.
Bishops set a goal to make a $25,000 "personal commitment" to the World Hunger fund. They exceeded their goal and raised $33,000. The ELCA Church Council also set a goal to make a $25,000 "personal commitment" to the fund.
The ELCA is celebrating the 25th anniversary of its World Hunger Appeal this year. The assembly's voting members and guests celebrated the appeal's anniversary.
During evening worship on Aug. 15, $39,000 was collected during the offering for the appeal.
A plywood pink pig, Wilbur, is touring around the Colorado Convention Center in a red wagon collecting money in celebration of the ELCA World Hunger Appeal's 25th anniversary. Wilbur collected more than $4,000 for the appeal.
About 165 voting members and guests of the assembly have participated in "Run, Walk 'n Roll," sponsored by the ELCA's Board of Pensions, Minneapolis. Participants were encouraged to walk or run 25 kilometers by Aug. 22 to mark the appeal's 25th anniversary. The 5:30 to 7:30 a.m. event began Aug. 17.
More than 600 clay bowls were submitted by ELCA college and university students in a hunger bowl contest held at the assembly. Butler announced five grand prize winners of the contest Aug. 18. The winners received a monetary scholarship and their work will be displayed at the ELCA churchwide offices in Chicago. Initiated to raise awareness for world hunger, the project was part of the church's celebration of the appeal's anniversary.
Congregations of the ELCA are encouraged to mark the 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.
Under the theme "25-in-25" ELCA members can put aside an extra 25 cents a day or week for a given time, contribute 25 shares of appreciated stock, or invite youth groups to sponsor special anniversary fundraisers, Johnson said.
The ELCA World Hunger Appeal was established at the 1987 Constituting Convention of the ELCA. Churches that formed the ELCA launched a world hunger appeal in 1974. Since that time the appeal has earned more than $200 million.
"Through your contributions to the World Hunger Appeal, lives have been transformed," the Rev. Ronald B. Warren, bishop of the ELCA Southeastern Synod, Atlanta, Ga., told the assembly.
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
