wfn.org | ELCA Increases Awareness for Domestic and World Hunger

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ELCA NEWS SERVICE

November 16, 1998

ELCA INCREASES AWARENESS FOR DOMESTIC AND WORLD HUNGER
98-CC2-13-MR
     
     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran
Church in America (ELCA) will ask the 5.2 million members of the ELCA to
give generous "second- and third-mile" gifts this fall to respond to recent
weather disasters and the ongoing "silent disaster" of poverty.
     The Church Council is the ELCA's board of directors and serves as the
legislative authority of the church between meetings of the ELCA's
Churchwide Assembly.  The council met here Nov. 13-16.  Assemblies are held
every other year; the next is August 16-22 in Denver.
     "Those suffering from extraordinary disasters have not received much
media attention this fall, including persons in Bangladesh, North Korea and
Sudan," the council said.  There are people "throughout the world who live
in the shadow of the 'silent disaster' of hunger and extreme poverty.
     The council committed the church "to walk with those who have
suffered disasters in recent months through prayer, action, generous giving
and in advocacy."
     The board of the ELCA's Division for Congregational Ministries, at
its meeting here Oct. 16-17, asked the Church Council to "acknowledge that
1999 will be the 25th anniversary of the ELCA's World Hunger Appeal and
Program."  The ELCA's 11,000 congregations have donated about $12 million
each year.
     The council decided that the church will use the occasion of the
appeal's anniversary to "increase awareness of hunger in this country and
throughout the world" and to increase financial support through regular
contributions and designated gifts.
        The ELCA World Hunger Appeal and Program staff will develop goals
and a plan for the church to "achieve this purpose" and report back to the
council at its next meeting here in April 1999.

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