NI Synod World Hunger Committee

MEXICO CITY

Una Grande Cuidad Y Una Cuidad Grande

Hunger Committee Chairperson, Kent Terry, was honored to be one of only 30 leaders in the United States chosen to be a part of the ELCA's World Hunger Gathering in Mexico City. And he is anxious to share what he has learned with the congregations of the Nothern Illinois Synod. Terry, a recent diakonia graduate, is available to present infomation in a temple talk, as part of a sermon in a church service or as a power-point program. The Lutheran Church's World Hunger programs are doing wonderful things in incredible conditions noted Terry, including some very creative ways of helping the people of Mexico City to help themselves.

By Kent Terry

The phase “una cuidad grande and una grande cuidad,” is a play-on-words that I used in the Spanish class I took this summer in preparation for my trip and it means, “Mexico City, a large city and a great city.”

Learning the Spanish language, at least as best I could, was one of the reasons that my trip to Mexico City at the end of September was a life-changing experience. Now this phrase is definitely over used, but you can’t learn a language without in part being affected by that culture. And looking at Mexican-American relations from inside-out instead of from the outside-in is a whole different experience. For example... Read the rest of Kent's report here.

NIS Hunger Committee Purpose and Ministries

Isaiah 58:6–8 says “Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover them, and not to hide yourself from your own kin?”

Or consider the conversation Jesus had with Simon, “Do you love me more than these?” Simon responded, “Yes Lord, you know I love you.” Jesus replied, “Then feed my sheep.”

The above Biblical quotes not only tell us of our responsibilities to our brothers and sisters in Christ, but also point out that there is a universal obligation to our call. The Northern Illinois Synod World Hunger Committee works under the auspices of the synod’s Social Ministry Committee, and consists of 17 members (8 rostered leaders and 9 lay leaders).

LWR/FRB Plans

We are requesting each conference located in an agriculture belt to do the following:

Have a meeting with all farmers explaining the program
Ascertain if there is an interest for a growing project in your conference.
Select a growing leader to serve as program coordinator.
Have the grower or growers determine cost-per-acre, which includes rent and inputs. Livestock producers, purchase price and feed costs should be considered.
Once a grower or growers have made a commitment, it will be up to the congregations in that conference to support that growing project. For the first years, small programs will allow us to adapt and learn best practices.
Each conference can have its own special harvest service and harvest day so that congregations that support the program can come together, worship and watch the harvesting take place.
When the grain or livestock is sold, the profit will be given to LWR through the ELCA to the conference's chosen project. The matching funds from FRB will double the contribution.

Any questions, contact your synod representatives or Kent Terry (Subcommittee Chairperson)

The Northern Illinois Synod (NIS) has been extremely responsive to hunger needs and has placed itself in the forefront of the ELCA regarding total contributions. Of the 65 synods, NIS has been one of the top six contributors to our ELCA Hunger Program. We have been richly blessed and we say, “Thanks be to God for the outstanding response of our churches within the synod.” When much is given, much is expected and our synod has responded accordingly. We continue our efforts on behalf of hungry people everywhere to increase our giving.