wfn.org | ELCA Assembly Recommits to World Hunger

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ELCA NEWS SERVICE

August 22, 1999

ELCA ASSEMBLY RECOMMITS TO WORLD HUNGER
99-CWA-58--MR

     DENVER (ELCA) -- Members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America (ELCA) are responding to God's call to feed the hungry and seek
justice in the world.  The 1999 ELCA Churchwide Assembly passed a
resolution Aug. 21 that encourages the church to recommit to the ELCA
World Hunger Appeal.
     The churchwide assembly, the chief legislative authority of the
ELCA, is meeting Aug. 16-22 here at the Colorado Convention Center.
There are more than 2,500 people participating, including 1,038 voting
members.  The theme for the biennial assembly is "Making Christ Known:
Hope for a New Century."
     ELCA Presiding Bishop H. George Anderson suggested the assembly's
voting members not treat the consideration of the resolution as "a
routine action item."  Voting members stood up, read the resolution out
loud and passed it unanimously by stating "we will."  Anderson is chair
of the assembly.
     The resolution calls for members of the church to increase their
awareness of hunger in the world, to increase financial support of the
ELCA World Hunger Appeal through regular contributions and designated
gifts, and to thank supporters of the appeal.
     "God has given us the ability to eradicate hunger and the means to
fulfill that goal," said Dr. Addie J. Butler, ELCA vice president,
Philadelphia.
     "Imagination is a gift from God," said Lita Brusick Johnson,
director of the appeal, Chicago.  "The World Hunger Appeal is an
expression of a holy imagination given to us by God.  That holy
imagination inspires our work with others to strengthen what is life-giving.  We recommit and celebrate the gift of holy imagination that
chronic hunger will be no more.  Through the World Hunger Appeal, we
walk with those who are hungry until they are hungry no more," Johnson
told the assembly.
     The goal for the 1999 ELCA World Hunger Appeal is $12.6 million.
The ELCA Church Council and the ELCA Conference of Bishops challenged
members and congregations of the ELCA to bring the total of the appeal
to $25 million for 1999.  The council and conference met Aug. 15-16 here
at the Adam's Mark Hotel.
     Bishops set a goal to make a $25,000 "personal commitment" to the
World Hunger fund.  They exceeded their goal and raised $33,000.  The
ELCA Church Council also set a goal to make a $25,000 "personal
commitment" to the fund.
     The ELCA is celebrating the 25th anniversary of its World Hunger
Appeal this year.  The assembly's voting members and guests celebrated
the appeal's anniversary.
     During evening worship on Aug. 15, $39,000 was collected during
the offering for the appeal.
     A plywood pink pig, Wilbur, is touring around the Colorado
Convention Center in a red wagon collecting money in celebration of the
ELCA World Hunger Appeal's 25th anniversary.  Wilbur collected more than
$4,000 for the appeal.
     About 165 voting members and guests of the assembly have
participated in "Run, Walk 'n Roll," sponsored by the ELCA's Board of
Pensions, Minneapolis.  Participants were encouraged to walk or run 25
kilometers by Aug. 22 to mark the appeal's 25th anniversary.  The 5:30
to 7:30 a.m. event began Aug. 17.
     More than 600 clay bowls were submitted by ELCA college and
university students in a hunger bowl contest held at the assembly.
Butler announced five grand prize winners of the contest Aug. 18.  The
winners received a monetary scholarship and their work will be displayed
at the ELCA churchwide offices in Chicago.  Initiated to raise awareness
for world hunger, the project was part of the church's celebration of
the appeal's anniversary.
     Congregations of the ELCA are encouraged to mark the anniversary
by using the number 25 in fund-raising activities throughout the year,
said Johnson.  In addition, members of the church will pray, conduct
"services of recommitment" and plan activities and offerings in
celebration of the appeal during a special 25-day period -- Nov. 1-25,
1999.
     Under the theme "25-in-25" ELCA members can put aside an extra 25
cents a day or week for a given time, contribute 25 shares of
appreciated stock, or invite youth groups to sponsor special anniversary
fundraisers, Johnson said.
     The ELCA World Hunger Appeal was established at the 1987
Constituting Convention of the ELCA.  Churches that formed the ELCA
launched a world hunger appeal in 1974.  Since that time the appeal has
earned more than $200 million.
     "Through your contributions to the World Hunger Appeal, lives have
been transformed," the Rev. Ronald B. Warren, bishop of the ELCA
Southeastern Synod, Atlanta, Ga., told the assembly.

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
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