wfn.org | United Methodists team with other churches in "Souper Bowl"

[NewsDesk <NewsDesk@UMCOM.UMC.ORG>]

Jan. 12 1999	Contact: Linda Green*(615)742-5470*Nashville, Tenn.
10-71BP{018}

NOTE: A photograph is available with this story.  

By United Methodist News Service

Churches of many denominations will team up on Super Bowl Sunday with the
game plan of helping hungry and needy people.

Since its start in 1990, "The Souper Bowl of Caring" campaign has given the
day associated with football a new meaning. Thousands of churches nationwide
use that Sunday to raise funds for hunger projects of their choice. The
program has raised $4.5 million in the past eight years.

"Souper Bowl" was started by the youth from more than 20 churches in
Columbia, S.C. It was the brainchild of the Rev. Brad Smith and the young
people at Spring Valley Presbyterian Church in Columbia.

Worshippers donate $1 as they leave church services on the morning or
weekend of Super Bowl Sunday. The youth collect the money in large soup
kettles and determine what hunger project will receive the funds. Many
congregations also collect canned goods.

Organizers of the 1999 "Souper Bowl" expect 12,000 churches to raise at
least $2.3 million on game day, Jan. 31. 

"The Souper Bowl of Caring offers people in churches across the country a
simple but significant way to join together in caring and unity," Smith
said. "We believe this idea is a gift from God, and we encourage everyone to
join the team."

Because late January and February are the coldest times of the year, "the
Souper Bowl provides a catalyst for churches to warm the hearts and bodies
of needy people," he said.

"Souper Bowl" went nationwide in 1993, and the initiative is governed by a
national ecumenical council of stewards. The council includes three United
Methodists: the Rev. Faye Wilson of New York; the Rev. Leland Collins of
Perry, Ga.; and the Rev. Melvin Luetchens of Lincoln, Neb. United Methodist
Bishop Robert H. Spain of Brentwood, Tenn., is a member of the program's
19-member board of advocates.

Last year, 8,600 congregations, including more than 1,700 United Methodist
churches, raised $1.7 million for the bowl effort. United Methodist churches
in 48 states reported their collections to the phone bank in South Carolina.
The four states with the most United Methodist churches participating in
1998 were Pennsylvania, 191; South Carolina, 178; Georgia, 121; and North
Carolina, 114. 

Advance registration is not required. Congregations simply announce the
effort, recruit youth to receive the donations, report totals on game day to
the South Carolina phone bank at 1-800-358-SOUP, and send the proceeds to a
charity of their choice. Participants also may report their totals online at
www.souperbowl.com. 

"This program illustrates God's grace in action," Smith said.  "Local
churches, whether they be United Methodist or Presbyterian, can make a
difference. When we work together and move beyond ourselves to work in
partnership with others, ordinary people, with God's help, can do
extraordinary things."

United Methodist News Service
(615)742-5470
Releases and photos also available at
http://www.umc.org/umns/