CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Following reports from the World Hunger
Program of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and
Lutheran World Relief (LWR) on Aug. 9, the 2007 ELCA Churchwide
Assembly committed denomination members and congregations to
renewed efforts to reach and surpass a goal of $25 million in
annual giving to the ELCA World Hunger Appeal.
The churchwide assembly, the chief legislative authority of
the ELCA, is meeting here Aug. 6-11 at Navy Pier's Festival Hall.
About 2,000 people are participating, including 1,068 ELCA voting
members. The theme for the biennial assembly is "Living in God's
Amazing Grace: Thanks be to God!"
"Through relief, development, education and advocacy, the
ELCA World Hunger Appeal combats the root causes of poverty,"
said Nancy Arnison, director, ELCA World Hunger Program. "This
past year, gifts to ELCA World Hunger totaled over $20 million --
a milestone -- a powerful commitment to making a difference in
the lives of our neighbors."
By a vote of 984 to 5, the assembly committed the church to
"reach and surpass, as soon as possible, the goal of $25 million
in annual giving by individuals and congregations" to the ELCA
World Hunger Appeal.
The assembly also heard from the Rev. John Nunes, president
of LWR, an international relief, development and advocacy
ministry of both the ELCA and Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod
(LCMS), which receives funds from the ELCA World Hunger Program.
"We thank you for making this ministry possible, and we invite
you to keep walking with us as we work to create a world in which
each person and every generation lives in justice, dignity, and
peace," said Nunes.
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Information about the 2007 ELCA Churchwide Assembly can be
found at http://www.ELCA.org/assembly/ on the Web.
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
