wfn.org | Board Asks ELCA Members to Pray for Farmers

[Brenda Williams <BRENDAW@elca.org>]

Reply-To: ElcaNews <ELCANEWS@ELCASCO.ELCA.ORG>
ELCA NEWS SERVICE

October 8, 1998

BOARD ASKS ELCA MEMBERS TO PRAY FOR FARMERS
98-35-204-SS*

     MILWAUKEE (ELCA) -- The board of the Division for Church in Society
of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) discussed the
continuing rural crisis when it met here Sept. 24-26.
     The Rev. Timothy J. Swenson, Halliday, N.D., explained to the board
that in his state 75 percent of farmers who are borrowers won't be able to
service their debt this year, board members then discussed what is now
called a "stealth crisis" in rural areas.
     The board called upon ELCA members to learn and to pray about farmers
and their future and asked that the ELCA hasten the establishment of a
rural desk at the churchwide offices.  It called upon the U.S. Congress and
the Administration to enact measures "to restore some security for those in
greatest need" and examine policies that played a role in the present
crisis.
     The board also acknowledged that 1999 will be the 25th anniversary of
the ELCA World Hunger Appeal and urged that the church use the occasion to
increase awareness of hunger in this country and throughout the world.

[*Sonia C. Solomonson is senior editor for The Lutheran, magazine of the
ELCA.]

For information contact:
Frank Imhoff, Assoc. Director 1-773-380-2955 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://www.elca.org/co/news/current.html