• Other Riders are welcome
• Follow along on Facebook at facebook.com/threeguysride
• Follow along on Twitter at #bikeforbread or @bishophazelwood or @captaindumas1
• Consider making a donation to the World Hunger Appeal on this page.

The global water crisis doesn't always make headlines. But the truth is that it claims more lives each year than war. Globally, 1.8 billion people - that's about one out of every four people in our world - drink from contaminated water sources. Unsafe water leads to illnesses that claim the lives of 840,000 people each year, almost half of whom are children under the age of 5.

Your gift helps local communities provide water for drinking and cooking, growing crops, and improving sanitation and hygiene, as well as providing for ongoing health education, training and maintenance for long-term sustainable access to water in the community.

Jim, Steve and Rick will start their engines soon, so get on your bikes and ride!

The New England Synod's Annual Appeal focuses on the theme of ReThink, ReImagine, and ReBirth. The goal is to provide support through funding for the many missions and initiatives throughout the Synod, none of which would be possible without the generous support of individual and congregational donations. 

Our annual appeal brochure outlines some of the ways your support has aided ministry and celebrates all of the people and churches that have shown generosity in the last year. To download your copy, click here.

St. Paul Lutheran Church (Arlington, Mass.) formed a bond with 40 Sudanese refugees 14 years ago when they came to the Greater Boston congregation. Since then, the church has been heavily involved with several development projects to help people in South Sudan with the difficult but necessary tasks of generating food and clean water, as well as schools and medical clinics.

The congregation's Social Ministry Committee recently made a $1,000 contribution to ameliorate the food shortage in South Sudan, but more help is needed. So the church is turning to the region for help raising funds.

Donations may be sent to:

Village Help for South Sudan, Inc.
34 Madison Ave. #1
Cambridge, MA 02140

For more information, you can also visit the program's website,villagehelpforsouthsudan.org.

The New England Synod School of Lay Ministry will host "The Church We are Becoming" with Pr. Ruben Duran, ELCA Program Director, New Congregations, on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2015, at Gloria Dei in Providence, R.I. This is a bilingual event, and all are welcome. Stay tuned for more information.

Family Promise of Greater Concord

Family Promise of Greater Concord (FPGC) is looking for a passionate, energetic and caring leader to become its Executive Director (ED). Family Promise is a faith-based organization committed to ending homelessness for families with children, one family at a time. The Executive Director will work closely with faith-based congregations throughout Greater Concord, a dedicated and active board of directors, as well as local business and community leaders. Successful candidates must be confident asking anybody for anything that will support the mission of FPGC. You must have outstanding sales ability and superior written and verbal communication skills. Strong candidates will have previous experience managing and maintaining financial activities, raising money, developing programs, managing grants, and providing leadership to support staff, committees, volunteers and board members. You must also be adept with basic office technology and software. The ideal candidate will possess: 

St. George's (Episcopal)

York Harbor, Maine

St. George's Episcopal Church is seeking a compassionate person of faith to serve as our part-time Minister for Children, Youth and Families. This person will lead and work alongside parents and the congregation to help our parish envision new and creative models of ministry for the future. Our new leader will build strong relationships with children, youth and families including connecting with the church and wider community through clear communication and technology. Applications from lay or ordained candidates will be accepted until the job is filled. Send resume and cover letter to Parish Administrator Jennifer Davidson at office@stgeorgesyorkharbor.org by Monday, July 6.

To view the job description, click here.

Faith Lutheran Church, East Hartford, CT

Faith Lutheran Church is seeking a part-time Parish Musician. The congregation celebrates one worship service each Sunday from June through Labor Day at 9:30 a.m., and during the rest of the year there are two services: a contemporary service at 8:30 a.m., with music led by its Praise Ensemble, and a traditional service at 10:30 a.m. with music by the Faith Choir. Responsibilities include coordination and direction of the Praise Ensemble and Faith Choir, and familiarity with and ability to play the organ and piano. The Parish Musician works closely with the Pastor and the Worship & Music Committee to plan the services, liturgy and hymns.

Interested candidates should forward a resume & cover letter to Pat Sack (Worship & Music Chair) at Faith Lutheran Church, 1120 Silver Lane, East Hartford, CT 06118. Telephone 860-569-2037, email faithehct@aol.com. The position begins officially on July 1, 2015, but the starting date can be flexible.