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| "CC-365" Archives | | |
Please click on the above link to find an indexed list of our archived issues. |
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| Issue #60 "Just Food" | October 15, 2012 |
Greetings!
World Food Day is tomorrow, October 16th. From now through Thanksgiving, many congregations will observe this annual, world-wide event, which Church World Service describes as: "an opportunity to increase our awareness and understanding of hunger, malnutrition and food insecurity. It is a time to rededicate ourselves to living in right relationship with our neighbors and with all God's creation. It is a time to learn effective actions that we can take in order to help save lives and create a more just food system for all."
This issue* of Creation-Care, 365 highlights many resources available for observing World Food Day or any congregational action/event that connects the gift of daily bread and care for God's broader creation. As you make these connections, may God nourish you, your congregation, all who hunger, and all creation.
Grace and Peace be with you, Creation-Care Project Coordinator PNW Office of Connectional Ministries Footnote *To find past issues related to food & faith, please click on our archives. |
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Special Announcement:
National Council of Churches' Webinar this Wednesday, Oct. 17, 10 a.m. PST:
"Sharing the Harvest: How Your Church Garden Can Benefit Local Food Banks"
Please click here for more information & registration | |
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 Creation Quote | |
Wendell Berry
Farmer, writer, and Jesus-follower
"Eaters ... must understand that eating takes place inescapably in the world, that it is inescapably an agricultural act, and that how we eat determines, to a considerable extent, how the world is used."
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Tools for Renewal
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World Food Day Resources for Congregations
From Church World Service
- Hunger Placemat:
While supplies last, these are available free from CWS' distribution center for those hosting a Share A Meal or another hunger education event. Order online or call 1-800-297-1516 and ask for resource EA 1237. - Share A Meal "How To" Instruction Sheet:
Answers to questions, inspirational ideas for engagement and links to available resources.
Download (PDF, 186KB) - Discussion Guide:
At the most basic level, focus your Share A Meal conversations on the food you eat and where it comes from. How do your choices connect your well-being with the well-being of people, plants, animals - communities and the ecosystems they are a part of all around the world?
Download (PDF, 232KB) - Share a Meal, Recipes:
A collection of recipes celebrating foods of the world - and those who make them!
View the list of recipes or download all (PDF, 223KB) - Celebrate World Food Day, Bulletin Inserts:
Bulletin insert educates about the issue of hunger and offers three ways you can make a difference.
Download (PDF, 29KB) - Sample Hunger Prayers:
Three prayers that may be used in worship services, study times and as part of special Share A Meal events.
Download (PDF, 27KB) - Hunger Sermon Notes:
Scripture passages that can be used alone or in combination in a sermon. One theme that links all of these passages is that we are called to work together to be good stewards of creation and ensure everyone's basic needs are met.
Download (PDF, 94KB) - "Share A Meal" Event Reporting Form:
Help CWS track the impact of our collective efforts to educate and inspire action to address hunger and food security.
Download (PDF, 194KB) - Speak Out for a Faithful Budget:
Contact your U.S. Senators and Representative, asking them to support the Senate's FY 2013 funding levels for overseas relief and development programs.
Speak Out now! - Action Ideas:
There are many ways you as an individual, and together with others in your congregation and community, can help end hunger, malnutrition and poverty.
Download (PDF, 19KB)
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| Small Steps... for Greater Good |
Order Free Placemats for World Food Day & Beyond
"Agricultural Cooperatives - key to feeding the world"
From UMC-GBCS & UMNS
Background
"To encourage United Methodists to talk about world food production over lunch or dinner, hunger advocates are providing the placemats.
Sharing a meal is just one of the ways local congregations can observe World Food Day Oct. 16. The 2012 theme is 'Agricultural cooperatives - key to feeding the world.'
"This year, Church World Service (CWS), the ecumenical humanitarian agency, is promoting the 'Share a Meal' project in cooperation with its partners, including United Methodist Women, the United Methodist General Board of Church & Society, Church Women United, [and others].
"A project goal is to help participants become knowledgeable about the various factors that affect access to nutritional food, explained Maurice Bloem, deputy director and head of programs for Church World Service.
"'With some 925 million hungry people in the world, CWS is encouraging people to recognize access to nutritionally sufficient food as a human right and either begin or join in ongoing conversations and advocacy around hunger and malnutrition,' Bloem said."
Action
Funding from United Methodist Women and Oxfam America will allow congregations to order free full-color placemats for that meal or another hunger education event. Order online or call 1-800-297-1516 and ask for resource EA 1237.
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| Lectionary Links | Some excellent on-line sermon helps -- most of which coincide with the Revised Common Lectionary:
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| Events & Actions | Autumn 2012
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Creation Keepers
| Lake Washington UMC, Kirkland (WA)
"First Fruits Community Garden"
For the past two years, Lake Washington UMC (LWUMC) has gifted its community with rich, organic soil in which  to garden as well as an opportunity for all gardeners to experience the joy of giving their "first fruits" to others in need. The church now has 6 beds with 12 plots. The following comes from LWUMC's web site:
The primary goals for First Fruits Community Garden at Lake Washington UMC are to help meet the need for organic fresh, local affordable produce, build community and help people in need in the city of Kirkland. Gardeners are requested to share ten percent their bounty with Hopelink Food Bank. With a large piece of open land that we are excited to share in a way that enhances the health of and relationships between our neighbors. We seek to serve individuals and families who would benefit from a small plot in which to grow their own produce and flowers. A part of good health is strong relationships and the First Fruits Community Garden provides a place where neighbors of different generations and cultures can work together and enjoy getting to know one another. It is also hoped that the wholesome activity of gardening will provide a healthful activity for all who participate and help those in need. To read an inspiring article about this project from the Redmond Reporter, please click here. Thank you for your fruitful witness, LWUMC! |
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