ELCA NEWS SERVICE
May 1, 2007
ELCA Council Sees World Hunger Milestone, Seeks $25 Million in Annual Gifts
07-076-JB
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Church Council of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) noted that contributions to the
ELCA World Hunger Appeal in 2006 surpassed more than $20 million.
It recommended a resolution to the 2007 ELCA Churchwide Assembly
that the church celebrate the milestone, and it invited "renewed
efforts" by members and congregations to reach a $25 million goal
established in 1999.
The council is the ELCA's board of directors and serves as
the legislative authority of the church between churchwide
assemblies. It met here April 14-16. Assemblies are held every
other year; the next is here Aug. 6-11.
Christina Jackson-Skelton, ELCA treasurer, reported to the
council the total funds given to the ELCA World Hunger Appeal in
2006. Total contributions reached $20.1 million, of which a
record $19.1 million was for the general World Hunger Appeal, and
most of the remaining funds were designated for the Stand With
Africa campaign, she said. In 2005 $17 million was given to the
general hunger appeal. The increase in giving in 2006 was the
largest single-year increase in hunger appeal funds since 1999,
Jackson-Skelton said.
In its recommendation to the assembly, the council asked the
assembly "to give thanks to God for the generosity of members in
reaching for the first time" a new level in annual giving to the
hunger appeal; to remember the vision and commitment of ELCA
predecessor church bodies in establishing the World Hunger Appeal
in 1974; and to rejoice in the "fruitful efforts of churches" as
well as governmental and non-governmental agencies in the battle
against hunger.
The resolution also expressed "abiding appreciation" to the
1999 ELCA Churchwide Assembly for establishing the annual goal of
$25 million and to a variety of Lutheran agencies and
institutions that have used "wisely and effectively" the appeal's
funds in the past 33 years.
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Information about the ELCA World Hunger Appeal is at
http://www.ELCA.org/hunger/ on the ELCA Web site.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or [log in to unmask]
http://www.elca.org/news
ELCA News Blog: http://www.elca.org/news/blog
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