Giving the farm, literally

I recently attended the ELCA Region 3 Annual Hunger Retreat and learned that one congregation in our region contributed an average of $125 per baptized member to the ELCA World Hunger program last year. Yes, you read that right--$125 per baptized member! We all, as you might imagine, gasped loudly (the goal is a mere $3 per baptized member). And we wondered how that could be possible in our own congregations.

Later we heard the explanation that much of this congregation’s giving came from one woman’s gift of her family farm to the synod for the ELCA World Hunger program. That’s a mighty unusual legacy to leave for children and grandchildren. But it is certainly one that tells family and friends about this woman’s faith, her generosity, and what she valued both during her life and in her death.

Most of us don’t own farmland anymore, but many of us have monies that will become part of our estates when we die. Perhaps now is a good time to think about how you might support the ELCA World Hunger program or another local community hunger program through your estate. The ELCA Foundation can help you make some plans. Contact the ELCA’s Regional Gift Planner for the Minneapolis-Saint Paul Area, Brenda Moore, at brenda.moore@elca.org.

You, too, could make plans to “give the farm.”

Souper Bowl or Super Bowl? Why not both?

On Sunday, February 5, there are sure to be parties with abundant food as friends and family gather for the most-watched event of the year, the Super Bowl.

At the same time, there will be people worrying about staying warm, finding shelter, and a warm meal.

Congregations locally and around the country will demonstrate God’s love on February 5 by loving their neighbors through the Souper Bowl of Caring. It’s a simple yet significant act of caring for others. Drop $1 (or more) in the soup pot as you leave worship on February 5. Your youth determine the recipient(s)—local food shelves, ELCA World Hunger, specific ministries of your congregation, etc.

The Souper Bowl of Caring is an example of God blessing our efforts to help others. Please encourage and join young people in this effort. If your congregation doesn’t already participate, get it started. Taking action together makes big things happen. The Souper Bowl of Caring began in 1990 with one youth group getting others involved (one!). Since then, it has raised over $71 million (2010 figures).

Participation in the Souper Bowl of Caring is a tangible expression of our faith in Jesus. Don’t believe it? Here are some examples from scriptural for Souper Bowl:

• The Souper Bowl collections go to many charities and so help many organizations. (Matthew 25:35-36)
• It follows God's commands to care of the poor by leaving some of what we have and opening       our hearts to them. (Lev. 19:9-10, Deut. 15:7-8)
• Only asking for a dollar means everyone can participate. (2 Corinth. 8:1-4)
• By doing this in our church, we are setting an example of caring for those in need. (1 Tim 4:12)
• It is a way we can remember the poor on a day when we are thinking about other things (Gal. 2:10)
• Since the Souper Bowl does not tell people where to send their collection, it does not exclude anyone. (James 2:1-4)
• It also gives us a chance to trust God when we serve and to see how He blesses us as we do. (Phil. 4:19, Deut. 15:10)

Is your congregation participating in the Souper Bowl of Caring? We would love to see pictures! Send them to kate.penz@spas-elca.org.

Waste food? Me?

I recently read an article in the Faith and Money Network Newsletter by Leah McCullough, a United Church of Christ minister from North Carolina that has made me think a bit harder about food and how I might be wasting it. She says that reducing food waste can help feed hungry people, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and save money. "We all eat, so we all can make a difference."

Here are just some of her suggestions to reduce food waste (italics are my additions):

1. Purchase less food.
2. Use up leftovers.
3. Eat down what is in our refrigerator and cabinets before purchasing more.
4. Beware of bulk and buy-one-get-one free purchases that may go bad before we can use it up.
5. Compost. (Even in winter.)
6. Encourage our grocery stores to donate edible food to food recovery groups.
7. Ask every coffee shop, café, and restaurant we frequent what they may do with unused food and encourage them to donate it.
8. Tell our produce managers that we are willing to purchase fruits and vegetables that may not be cosmetically perfect or uniform in size and shape, as we know they are still nutritious and tasty--and then do it.
9. Take leftovers home (and then use them).
10. Volunteer with food recovery organizations; glean with an organization.

Food for thought--and hopefully for action in this New Year.

                                                                                       Vernita Kennen

A duck walks into a barn

Are you a last-minute shopper? Need some inspiration? Watch this video from ELCA Good Gifts showing some of the realities present in the world today in a cute, simple way. Your gifts will help make a difference for those who hunger this Christmas.

'Faith, food stamps, and the fight against hunger'

While checking out a new lectionary resource (ON Scripture—also recommended!) From the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg and Odyssey Networks, an interfaith media organization, I discovered the video below. You might remember the “Food Stamp Challenge” from other years—where people are urged to spend no more for a week than those who receive food stamps (now the SNAP program).

The challenge continues. And good news to hear that some of our federal legislators have accepted the challenge for a second time! Representative Keith Ellison talks about his experience and how it has helped him to see the problem of hunger in new ways. I appreciated his comments about budgets being moral documents.

Perhaps this will inspire YOU to consider taking the challenge. Any time is a good time to put yourself in the shoes of those who hunger so you not only know their story firsthand but also as inspiration for you to continue with your hunger ministry.

Our faith and the federal budget

We are in a budget conversation at the federal level that few of us can remember having before. Newspapers, TV, magazine, the Internet, and other social media are alive with articles, interviews, and information. We have to choose carefully to be sure the reporting is accurate and the views credible. As the November 23 deadline rapidly approaches for the recommendations of the "Super Committee," I urge you to use this prayer for your own devotions as well as for sharing in groups and in congregational worship.

Litany for a Faithful National Budget
(Prepared by the Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns)

Leader: Let us pray…
 

All: Blessed be our God.

Leader I: Twenty percent of all children in the United States live in poverty. We cannot leave our children a legacy of rising debt, nor can we leave them a legacy of rising poverty.

All: We pray for a just and compassionate budget that protects all our children from hunger and homelessness, from inadequate education and healthcare, from poverty. Our God hears the cry of the children who are poor. Blessed be our God.

Leader: Many older adults in the United States live near or below the poverty line. Social Security and Medicare are their lifelines. We cannot neglect the very real needs of our senior citizens.

All: We pray for a just and compassionate budget that protects our elders from poverty, financial insecurity and inadequate healthcare. Our God hears the cry of our seniors who are poor or vulnerable. Blessed be our God.

Leader: Women in the United States are disproportionately served by the social safety net. Women rely on many of the programs facing drastic cuts – from Medicare and Medicaid to SNAP and TANF, from SSI and Pell grants to domestic violence prevention to nutrition and child care. We cannot ignore the real needs of women in our society or fail to address the systemic injustice that perpetuates their vulnerability.

All: We pray for a just and compassionate budget that protects women from poverty, financial insecurity, inadequate healthcare and physical danger. Our God hears the cry of the women. Blessed be our God.

Leader: With an official unemployment rate over nine percent, millions of U.S. Americans are struggling to meet their most basic needs. Yet an unjust federal budget could reduce or eliminate assistance for unemployed families.

All: We pray for a just and compassionate budget that responds to the needs of those who are unemployed, protecting them and their dependents as much as possible from the overwhelming anxiety of financial insecurity and lost self‐esteem. Our God hears the cry of those who are unemployed. Blessed be our God. 

Leader: We live in a world that is intensely interconnected. Loving our neighbors requires that we promote the global common good. Yet, programs that respond to HIV and AIDS, extreme poverty, food insecurity, overwhelming debt, violence against women, natural disasters and other urgent needs are likely to be severely cut.

All: We pray for a just and compassionate budget that responds to the needs of our brothers and sisters around the world. Our God hears the cry of those who live on the margins of our world. Blessed be our God.

Leader: God’s good creation continues to suffer from our use and abuse of its precious gifts. The enforcement of laws that protect the integrity of creation could be severely compromised by unjust budgetary decisions.

All: We pray for a just and compassionate budget that respects and protects the integrity of creation. Our God hears the cry of Earth. Blessed be our God.

Leader: For the gift of vision to see a way forward that is just and compassionate.

All: Give us your vision.

Leader: For the gift of conviction to work with vigor for a just solution to the crises we face.

All: Give us your courage.

Leader: Spirit of God, renew the hearts of all of us who are gathered here. Inspire Congress and the administration to act justly and to protect our most vulnerable brothers and sisters, here and around the world. Reinvigorate our nation’s vision of the common good.

All: May God, our Creator and parent, breathe into us new life and new meaning. May the Wisdom of God breathe into us new hope and a new awareness. May the Spirit of God breathe into us a new spirit and a new understanding of the world in which we live. AMEN.

Hunger is scary

Light of the World Lutheran Church in Farmington is planning two fun (and scary!) events to help combat local hunger. We think they are onto something great, and surprisingly simple, "have fun and fight hunger!"
 
The haunted maze
Light of the World's Matt Philpot is organizing his annual haunted maze to benefit the Farmington food shelf. Admission to the maze is one canned good. Last year's maze raised 350 pounds; the goal this year is to double it.

If you want to check it out, the haunted maze will be open at 7:00 p.m. on October 22, 29, 30, and 31. It is located at 19337 Ellington Trail in Farmington. Contact Matt Philpot at mgphilpot@charter.net if you have questions.

"All check in...Most check out!"
Light of the World's Dean Wedul is refurbishing the scary "Redrum Hotel." It will be open for check-in October 29, 30, and 31 from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. Located at 17371 Faraday Court, Farmington.

Donations of canned goods will be accepted for the Farmington food shelf. Last year's results: 437 pounds of food + $10. A water balloon target range will be open. Three balloons for $1.

Check out these events, or simply use this as inspiration for a "have fun and fight hunger" event in your own congregation.