The foremost reason for having a Congregational Hunger Contact Person is to
assure that there will be at least one “champion for hunger causes”
in the congregation. Pastors may feel deluged with requests to promote a multitude
of other worthwhile local, Synod, and Churchwide ministries and causes.
What the hunger contact person will do depends upon the available time, creativity, energy, and opportunities of the advocate. While some Synods and congregations have suggested extensive quarterly or monthly agendas for the contacts, this is a basic job description.
1. To work with the pastor and congregational leadership offering your help and encouragement to take seriously Jesus’ demonstrated concern for poor and suffering people and to promote the ELCA World Hunger Program.
2. To receive the annual World Hunger Packet at your home address, and to familiarize yourself with the contents. A second packet will be sent to the congregational address. If you need additional packets, call 1-800-638-3522, ext. 2764.
3. To distribute the materials to the appropriate congregational leadership (i.e., worship, youth, education, stewardship, social concerns, etc.) with suggestions how they might make use of them.
4. In consultation with the pastor and congregational leadership, order quantities of materials you have selected from the ELCA Hunger Catalog and Order Form by calling the ELCA Distribution Center, 1-800-328-4648. Most items, including the catalog, are free for congregational use.
5. To promote opportunities for people to give to the World Hunger and Disaster Appeals. Many congregations promote year-round opportunities by:
- Placing Hunger Appeal contribution envelopes in the members’ offering boxes;
- Sending an envelope in the congregation’s monthly mailing; or
- Having the appeal envelopes available in the pews
Some congregations have a World Hunger Appeal designation place printed on their members’ regular offering envelopes. Some congregations dedicate the loose offerings once a month to hunger causes. At least two offerings should be promoted each year, in the Thanksgiving season and during Lent. It may be helpful for your congregation to set a Hunger Appeal goal for the year.
In the Hunger Packet there are 5-10 vignettes (short accounts of how hunger funds are used) which would be copied for monthly bulletin inserts.
6. Pray that your congregation may be inspired by the compassion of Christ for poor and suffering people and give in response to his love.
For further information, you may contact the synod office or the CSS Hunger Advocates Coordinator, Dr. Barbara Johnson, 785.539.2536 or bjohns@ksu.edu.