CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Church Council of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) noted that contributions to the
ELCA World Hunger Appeal in 2006 surpassed more than $20 million.
It recommended a resolution to the 2007 ELCA Churchwide Assembly
that the church celebrate the milestone, and it invited "renewed
efforts" by members and congregations to reach a $25 million goal
established in 1999.
The council is the ELCA's board of directors and serves as
the legislative authority of the church between churchwide
assemblies. It met here April 14-16. Assemblies are held every
other year; the next is here Aug. 6-11.
Christina Jackson-Skelton, ELCA treasurer, reported to the
council the total funds given to the ELCA World Hunger Appeal in
2006. Total contributions reached $20.1 million, of which a
record $19.1 million was for the general World Hunger Appeal, and
most of the remaining funds were designated for the Stand With
Africa campaign, she said. In 2005 $17 million was given to the
general hunger appeal. The increase in giving in 2006 was the
largest single-year increase in hunger appeal funds since 1999,
Jackson-Skelton said.
In its recommendation to the assembly, the council asked the
assembly "to give thanks to God for the generosity of members in
reaching for the first time" a new level in annual giving to the
hunger appeal; to remember the vision and commitment of ELCA
predecessor church bodies in establishing the World Hunger Appeal
in 1974; and to rejoice in the "fruitful efforts of churches" as
well as governmental and non-governmental agencies in the battle
against hunger.
The resolution also expressed "abiding appreciation" to the
1999 ELCA Churchwide Assembly for establishing the annual goal of
$25 million and to a variety of Lutheran agencies and
institutions that have used "wisely and effectively" the appeal's
funds in the past 33 years.
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Information about the ELCA World Hunger Appeal is at
http://www.ELCA.org/hunger/ on the ELCA Web site.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.org
http://www.elca.org/news
ELCA News Blog: http://www.elca.org/news/blog
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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
