Information for synod hunger leaders is always available at www.elca.org/hunger/synods

Want to talk to other hunger leaders? Join the ELCA World Hunger Leaders EcuNet discussion group at http://tinyurl.com/clswm

“Go and Do” News

An occasional publication for hunger leaders August 21, 2007

… And a Round of Applause, Please!

Each year at the World Hunger Synod Leadership Gathering, we pay tribute and give thanks for the great work being done by hunger leaders throughout the country. This year, in Columbus, OH, the following received special recognition.

Walda Helvie (Indiana-Kentucky) became a synod hunger leader in 2006 and positively dove into her role! In addition to being a very active synod committee member, she was the driving force behind Global Fest at the Global Mission Event and ensured that hunger was emphasized. Because of her efforts, many people better understand how they can and do participate in mission and ministry around the world.

Kris Litman (student at Trinity Seminary) completed his second Ironman Triathlon and, in the process, raised over $31,000 for the World Hunger Appeal. An Ironman consists of a 2.4-mile swim, followed by a 112-mile bike ride, ending with a 26.2-mile run. Kris made it through all of that in 14 ½ hours! Leading up to the Ironman, Kris performed concerts to raise awareness about hunger and gather pledges for his Ironman performance, which were then donated to the Appeal.

Carol McDivitt (Rocky Mountain) provides strong leadership as chair of a very active hunger committee. Carol is involved in hunger efforts broad and narrow, from a formal strategic planning process and intentional work to stay in communication with congregations to making sure that the World Hunger display table at the Synod Assembly was staffed and in a good location, and the Fair Trade coffee was available for pouring. Her work helped make Rocky Mountain one of the top synods in the country in giving to the World Hunger Appeal.

Carla Volland (Upper Susquehanna) attended the 2006 World Hunger Synod Leadership Gathering and left inspired. Determined to do more to fight hunger, she returned to her synod and proceeded to recruit and organize an entire hunger committee. Since then, Carla and the Upper Susquehanna hunger team have created a very creative campaign using a caterpillar to raise awareness of hunger issues throughout the synod.

Pastor Henry Zorn (Southern Ohio) led a water-focused hunger campaign in his own congregation that raised over $5,000 for the World Hunger Appeal. And just as important, the campaign educated his parishioners about how water issues are related to hunger and what we can do about it. In addition, he led the World Hunger Education sub-committee of the Global Mission Event and ensured hunger themes were a part of the whole event. In his spare time, he developed and led workshops at both the World Hunger Synod Leadership Gathering and the GME.

Pacifica Synod Hunger Committee received recognition as a group for their imagination in fighting hunger and their capacity to think big! They are in the planning stages of taking their hunger-fighting message across the state of California (literally!) with stops at congregations nearly every day. Being such a big state, California consists of three synods. The Pacifica folks plan to contact the other two with hopes of enlisting their participation.

WebEx Demo

Are you tired of driving to hunger meetings? Perhaps you wish your team could meet more frequently, but the logistics are just too difficult. Or maybe you’d like to hold a meeting with your congregational contacts, but there’s no practical way to bring them together. Consider WebEx! Nancy Michaelis will be holding a demonstration on Thursday, September 6^th at 3:00 p.m. CDT. Attend from your home or office to see how this Web-conferencing software might work for you. All you need is an Internet connection and telephone that you can use at the same time. To register, follow the instructions that were attached to the same e-mail as this newsletter. Questions? Contact Nancy at Nancy.Michaelis@elca.org

Can You Help?

Paula Murray (Lower Susquehanna) is interested in organizing a synod-wide Hunger Sunday. Has your synod done this? Or something like it? If so, please let Nancy Michaelis know. Nancy will make sure the information gets where it needs to go.

Is Your Pastor Hairy?

Looking for a fun and effective World Hunger fundraiser? Pastor Rick Meier (Northern Illinois) told us about a successful challenge he posed to his congregation. If they would donate at least $500 to the World Hunger Appeal, he would shave his beard. For another $500, he would buzz his comb-over. They raised $2,300, it received front-page publicity in the Rockford Register Star, and Pastor Meier has a new look for summer! If there’s a prominent person in your congregation with hair to spare, you might want to make a proposal…

Sustaining Simplicity Web Site

Perhaps you’ve read the book, Sustaining Simplicity: A Journal, and you’re ready to start a simplicity ministry in your congregation. Or maybe you’d just like to talk about simplicity with others. Either way, the newly posted Sustaining Simplicity Web site is the place to go! It’s highly interactive and has bunches of resources to make the journal into a small-group resource. Check it out at www.elca.org/hunger/simple

Take the ELCA Food Stamp Challenge

Each month about 25 million people in the United States participate in the nation’s largest nutrition program: Food Stamps. The reality for many folks who participate in the Food Stamp program is that the average benefit of $1 per-person, per-meal is not nearly enough, and many healthy food choices are out of reach.

Can $1 curb your hunger? The challenge before you is to live for one week on the national average Food Stamp benefit of $1 per-person, per-meal. Try serving a Food Stamp Challenge meal for your congregation or community. What will you eat? How will you feel? Is it healthy? Are you hungry?

This fall, Congress will reauthorize or write a new U.S. Farm Bill. The Food Stamp program is part of the Farm Bill, so now is our chance to make needed comprehensive reform happen. We can help family farmers and reduce hunger for millions of Americans!

For more information about the Food Stamp Challenge and what you can do to affect the Farm Bill, go to www.elca.org/advocacy/food_stamp_challenge/index.html Share your thoughts and experiences at www.curbyourhunger.blogspot.com

What Are They Doing Over There?

Have questions? Contact:

Nancy Michaelis, Hunger Leader Liaison

800-638-3522 ext. 2713

Nancy.Michaelis@elca.org

Do you ever wonder what other synod hunger teams are doing? You can find out. Alternatively, is your hunger team doing something really cool you’d like to tell others about? Please tell everyone! There’s a Web site dedicated to this type of sharing between hunger leaders: www.elca.org/hunger/synods/ideas.html Ideas and samples of a whole variety of documents are posted from several synods. Take a copy of something and adapt it for your own use. Contact the person behind it for more information. And if you have something to share, please contact Nancy Michaelis to have it posted. The community of hunger leaders awaits your participation!

Rough Weather

Floods, fires, hurricanes, and earthquakes have challenged neighbors near and far. In fact, some of you may be reading this in the midst of such turmoil! Please visit www.elca.org/disaster to stay up-to-date on how the ELCA is responding. Your leadership, prayers, and gifts are greatly needed to support our Disaster Response ministry. Bulletin inserts and prayer litanies are available to help congregations lift up these brothers and sisters in Christ during worship.