Hunger and harvest, famine and faith

During this season of harvest, you are invited to engage in one new action that addresses the mounting hunger in our nation and in our world. Look below for a list of possibilities, and for worship resources.

Background

Learn more about the biblical basis for our hunger work, Annual Conference statements, and the Church of the Brethren's ongoing response to God’s call.

Worship resources

Study and action opportunities

Global Food Crisis Fund

The Global Food Crisis Fund has been the Church of the Brethren’s conduit to hungry people since 1983. Your GFCF donations help smallholder farmers plant seeds, conserve water resources, regenerate the soil, and fight malnourishment. Request free “My 2-Cents Worth” offering envelopes and labels from Howard Royer at hroyer@brethren.org or 800 323-8039, ext. 264.

Church of the Brethren Action Alerts

Hunger in North Korea and the Horn of Africa have been highlighted in recent Action Alerts and other e-communications from the Church of the Brethren witness and advocacy office.

Fighting Poverty with Faith

This coalition promotes Week of Action (Oct. 26—Nov. 6, 2011) and the Food Stamp Challenge in which individuals and families live for one week on the average food stamp allotment. Download a Food Stamp Challenge Toolkit (2.84 MB pdf) that includes a how-to guide, background facts, media leads, and advocacy steps. Send the money you save to the Global Food Crisis Fund.

Bread for the World

Bread for the World offers free resources for activities, study, and worship, and the 2011 Hunger Report includes a six-session Bible study. In this year of budget cutting, Bread encourages the writing of letters asking Congress to protect programs vital to hungry people.

Foods Resource Bank

Through Foods Resource Bank 15 member organizations, including the Church of the Brethren, help smallholder farmers in 32 countries grow lasting solutions to hunger. The Church of the Brethren is lead sponsor of FRB programs in Guatemala, Nicaragua, Dominican Republic, and North Korea. In the States, FRB sponsors local growing projects linking congregations with development programs abroad. Get involved.

Church World Service/CROP

Communitywide CROP Hunger Walks raise funds to reduce hunger and poverty and to promote peace and justice. Some 1,600 are conducted each year. Proceeds support the ministries of Church World Service and local hunger programs. Plan a walk or find out where to participate.

ACT Alliance

ACT Alliance has major responsibility for the world’s biggest refugee camp, Dadaab in northern Kenya, now at 430,000 with the recent wave of displaced persons from Somalia. The Church of the Brethren has just given $40,000 for this critical need. Act Alliance brings together 111 churches and related organizations—including Church World Service--to carry out humanitarian assistance, advocacy, and development in 140 countries.

UN World Food Day

World Food Day, which occurs annually on Oct. 16, is a worldwide event designed to increase awareness, understanding, and informed action to alleviate hunger. Learn more.

Worship resources

Litany

753, Hymnal: A Worship Book

Hymns

Brothers and sisters of mine are the hungry, 142, Hymnal: A Worship Book

For the healing of the nations, 367, Hymnal, A Worship Book

We give thee but thine own, 384, Hymnal: A Worship Book

God bless to us our bread, 1069, Hymnal Supplement

Scriptures

Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy. – Prov. 31:8, 9 NIV

Is not this the fast that I choose: . . . to share your bread with the hungry? – Isa. 58:6, 7 NRSV

Benediction

May the God of love, who loves us freely,
strengthen us in our love for others.

May Jesus Christ, who is the true bread from heaven,
grant us grace to speak out for those who have no voice.

May the Spirit, who dwells in us,
empower us to go out into the world to work for change,
bringing God’s justice and hope to all.     Amen

(Bread for the World)