wfn.org | UCC - Offering of Letters Strives to Relieve Hunger

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

Offering of Letters strives to take bite out of hunger

> Written by Jeff Woodard
> March 11, 2010

Following efforts of previous years, members of more than 50 UCC
congregations are again picking up their pens and putting their
compassion onto paper, urging their Congressional representatives to
help Bread for the World alleviate hunger in the United States.

Working through churches, campuses and other organizations, Bread for
the World invites groups nationwide to take up an Offering of Letters
to Congress on issues crucial to hungry people. During church
services, worshipers write letters supporting hunger-fighting
legislation. They place the letters in the offering plate, dedicate
the letters to God, and pray for the hungry and the poor.

"This opportunity to lobby our federal government to put tax dollars
to work for hunger relief helps us to recognize that we as citizens
have an important role in feeding hungry people," says Rev. Stephen
Glauz-Todrank, pastor of the UCC's Skyland Community Church in Los
Gatos, Calif. "We usually have about 60 people in worship, and most
participate in the writing of the letters."

The simple-yet-profound project also takes place in Sunday school
classrooms, where adults and children might watch a brief video about
a community struggling with hunger and poverty. Afterward, everyone
writes their senators and representatives.

"I like to think that in writing these letters, we are part of God's
answer to the prayers of hungry people around the world," says
Glauz-Todrank. "I make an effort to help people see that the act of
writing is an act of worship of God and solidarity with the hungry
people of the world. This is a beloved tradition in our church."

To learn more about the 2010 Offering of Letters and to participate,
log on to <bread.org/take-action/letters.html> or call 800-82-BREAD.