Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
With less than six months to go, the ELCA Malaria Campaign is making a real difference in the lives of millions of people. Rural health clinics in our 13 partnering countries in sub-Saharan Africa report NO DEATHS from malaria of children under age five (the most vulnerable demographic group) in 2014. This is truly history in the making, thanks to the collaborative efforts of the ELCA and many other international humanitarian partners. God be praised!
Although our Lower Susquehanna Synod congregations have responded generously to this campaign, there is still work to do! We set an ambitious synodwide goal of $500,000 towards eradicating malaria in this region of Africa. To meet it we need 100% participation of ALL congregations; to date according to our records, we are at 62.6%. We encourage your congregational members to prayerfully consider joining us in participating in these last few months of the campaign.
We know that some of our congregations participated in the very early efforts of the LWR and ELCA Malaria Campaign, and we are grateful for the support you gave at that time. We also recognize and give thanks for the strong response congregations in our synod have recently given to the Malaria Campaign. For you then, our request is for a "Second Mile Gift."
We have designated Christ the King Sunday, November 22, as Lower Susquehanna Synod's Malaria Day. The theme is: Buy a Net - Save a Life - $10!
We will be providing resources for you to use that day, including special bulletin inserts and a video message from Bishop Dunlop that can easily be used in a Sunday School Class, in worship as a digital Temple Talk, with Youth Groups, and other gatherings within your congregation. If you have questions or need assistance in locating resources to use for Malaria Day please feel free to contact Chris Mummert at porfect662@gmail.com or Donna Nicholson at dnicholson@lss-elca.org.
We are also pleased to invite you and two of your congregational leaders to A Taste of Africa Reception with special guest the Rev. Dan Rift, Director, ELCA World Hunger and Disaster Appeal. We hope you will plan to join us on Tuesday, October 20, from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. at St. Peter Lutheran Church, Spring and Union Streets, Middletown, Pennsylvania. Please let us know if you will be able to attend by contacting Denise Ferguson at dferguson@lss-elca.org or by calling 717-652-1852, ext. 114.
Thank you for all that you do to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ within your own circle of influence and for saving lives by eradicating a preventable disease like malaria.
Yours in Christ,
Christine Mummert, Coordinator + James S. Dunlop, bishop
LSS Malaria Campaign Task Force Lower Susquehanna Synod, ELCA
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