The Bridge in Plain Text
Issue To Be Used Any Time After
Nov. 1, 2008
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The Bridge
A monthly publication of the Southeastern Minnesota Synod, ELCA
Connecting the congregational, synodical, and churchwide expressions of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Feeding the Hungry
Excerpts from www.ELCA.org/hunger/whatwedo
We hear of people throughout the world, from our doorstep to the other side of the world, struggling to put food on the table each day.
When we wonder, "Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink?" Jesus tells us, "Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me." (Matt. 25:35-40) Have you been feeding the hungry?
The ELCA ministers to the hungry through ELCA World Hunger, a comprehensive and sustainable program that uses multiple strategies to address the root causes of hunger and poverty.
The four major strategies of ELCA World Hunger are:
- providing immediate relief for people affected by chronic hunger and poverty;
- assisting whole communities through long-term, sustainable development to help alleviate chronic hunger and poverty
- advocating for justice by changing laws and systems
- educating members of the ELCA in awareness of issues relating to hunger, poverty and justice
ELCA World Hunger supports "partner organizations" that carry out international relief and development on the ELCA's behalf with grants from money raised by the World Hunger Appeal. Also through grants, the program helps fund more than 200 relief and development projects in the United States.
Funds raised by the World Hunger Appeal also support efforts of ELCA units and other outside partners as they:
- Teach members of the ELCA about causes and solutions to global poverty.
- Carry out active projects in environmental stewardship, and consider means for simple living to address hunger and poverty.
- Carry out hunger advocacy work in the ELCA Washington Office in Washington, D.C., and in 20 state offices as well as Bread for the World.
In addition to the ongoing work of fighting chronic hunger and poverty, part of the World Hunger (and Disaster) Appeal's function is to raise funds for the ELCA's Disaster Response program. These specially designated offerings and donations, separate from World Hunger funds, enable the ELCA to respond to both domestic and international disasters. The ELCA responds to many major disasters each year, both natural and human-caused.
All money raised by the World Hunger Appeal comes through specially designated offerings and donations from ELCA members, congregations, and friends. ELCA World Hunger receives no benevolence (general budget money from general ELCA member offerings). Check your congregation's budget to see if a portion of your general offering is sent to ELCA World Hunger.
Featured Resources
Monthly Bible Verse
This Bible verse was selected by Harold Usgaard, bishop of the
Southeastern Minnesota Synod, for everyone in the synod to study.
“Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me..” Matthew 25:40
About Our Synod
The Southeastern Minnesota Synod is a faith community of 130,000 baptized
people in 184 congregations as well as related institutions of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Its geographic area includes
15 counties in the southeastern corner of Minnesota.
The Bridge is a monthly
publication of the Southeastern Minnesota Synod, ELCA. For more information,
contact the synod office:
Southeastern Minnesota Synod,
ELCA
1001 14th St. NW, Suite 300
Rochester, MN 55901-2551
(507) 280-9457
www.semnsynod.org
This issue is designed to be
used any time after Nov. 1, 2008.
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