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We are resurrection people who pray first, walk together and change lives. This mission is accomplished through God's grace alive and active in the lives of individuals and congregations throughout the synod. Living Our Mission provides a place to share the stories of how God's work is being done in the world with our hands.
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By Denise Ballou, Mission Interpreter
Pastor Peter Williams, Grace Episcopal and Holy Spirit Lutheran in Cortland has been involved in ministry with the Deaf community for many years. He has served the Deaf community by leading worship, bible studies, visiting those who are homebound or hospitalized, and traveling far and wide to stay in contact with Deaf people all over Upstate New York. As a teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing for 32 years, Denise Ballou also shares a common interest in the Deaf community. They are wondering if others have considered possible ways we might invite the Deaf into our worship communities. So we're asking:
- Are there Deaf people in your community who are among the unchurched?
- Do you already share the Good News with the Deaf community?
- Would your congregation be interested in learning and using sign language?
- Is your congregation interested in becoming involved in a Deaf Ministry?
 If you'd like to hear more about this outreach ministry to the Deaf, please contact Fr. Peter Williams, Grace/Holy Spirit, in Cortland at frpete310@aol.com or Denise Ballou at nene57622@hotmail.com.
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Remember The Lepers - Living Our Mission |
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By Marcia Brown, Mission Interpreter
When the ten lepers were healed and only one came back to say "thank you", we are shocked. Only one in ten? Such a small number? When God asks us to return to him one tenth of what he's given us, we say, "So much?"
One tenth. A tithe. Ten percent.
As we go into January, most congregations will be passing budgets for 2012 at their annual meetings. There should be a line in there for missions, whether your congregation sends it to synod, or directly to the organizations. In the same way that members are encouraged to tithe to the congregation, the congregation is also encouraged to tithe its income to missions. Before voting on that budget, look for that line, ask questions about what percentage it represents. These monthly messages have been showing how that money is used all over the world to feed people, clean up after disasters, educate, send missionaries, and control/eradicate malaria. The need is great. So speak up. It would be great to hear that someone (maybe you, reader?) raised their hand and asked, "What percentage of our income goes to mission?"
 Ten percent? If someone says it's too much, remind them of the lepers.
God's work, our hands. |
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December's Living Our Mission |
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By Marcia Brown, Mission Interpreter
We have all recently sat at heavy-laden Thanksgiving tables. In a few weeks we will repeat the scene at Christmas dinner. How many people in the world don't have enough to eat, and what can we do about it?
ELCA World Hunger responds to hunger and poverty in the United States and around the world by addressing root causes. Through a comprehensive program of relief, development, education, and advocacy, people are connected to the resources they need to lift themselves out of poverty. Between 70-75 percent of ELCA World Hunger funds are spent internationally, and 20-25 percent are spent domestically.
Find offering envelopes, coin boxes, brochures, videos, curricula and more -- for free! Browse the ELCA Resource Catalog and find the best resources to encourage congregational support of ELCA World Hunger and other important ministries. See www.elca.org/resources.
Thanks for your support
God's work, our hands.
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By Rev. Norma Malfatti (Christ the King, Vestal)
 Did you know that how we eat matters; that the choices we make in the grocery store directly impact world hunger and poverty? Prior to attending the ELCA Region 7 Ethics of Eating event I had no idea just how much my power as a consumer of food effected my neighbors down the street and around the globe. That all changed after the three-day retreat at Camp Men-O-Lan where I and other hunger leaders learned from ELCA World Hunger staff about how food is produced and distributed in the United States, US farming practices and how it all relates to hunger, health, worker rights and the environment - four justice issues that I am passionate about.
There is no easy place to start when talking about hunger and eating practices. We have come to rely on a very complex system to feed people. Our U.S. food system produces a lot of food very inexpensively, which is both a good thing and a bad thing. Many in our country and around the globe need access to this inexpensive food in order to eat - they cannot afford anything else. However, just because food is inexpensive does not mean that it is nutritious. Much of the inexpensive food in our supermarkets and food pantries has helped lead to the rising obesity rates in our country, especially among lower income households that rely on inexpensive food to eat. Part of the reason the food is so cheap to purchase is because much of the labor that goes into producing our food - fruit, vegetables, grains and meat alike - is from low-wage workers, many of whom are undocumented. Often employed only part-time or seasonally, their employers do not provide health care benefits, compounding their health problems. Though this is only a snapshot of our global food system, it begins to tell the story of food in the United States.
In the face our food industry what is it then that we can really do? First and foremost, buy and eat locally. One of the highlights of Ethics of Eating was being at an organic CSA (consumer supported agriculture) farm, where we learned how local farmers are working with their communities to turn the tide of access to health foods while caring for the land they are working on. Locate a CSA, food co-op in your area by visiting www.localharvest.org. Second, get educated. Visit www.elca.org/hunger to learn more.
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Global Mission and World Hunger Leadership Gathering in Allentown, PA |
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by Beth Walker, Upstate New York Synod Global Mission Team
Nan Bader, Pastor Marsha Irmer, and Beth Walker represented the Upstate New York Synod at the Region 7 Global Mission and World Hunger Leadership gathering in Allentown, PA on October 12 and 13. These representatives were able to share the involvement of our synod in Global Mission and World Hunger with others in Region 7 and listen to the stories of connection and accompaniment from other synods. Especially inspiring was the presentation and conversation with Andrew Steele, a returned Young Adult in Global Mission (YAGM) from S. Africa. Andrew's stories of immersion in a culture outside of his own and how his stories and the stories of those he met overlapped within God's story highlighted the mission of YAGM and opportunities for young adults within the Lutheran church.
 LYO and youth leaders are encouraged to download and view Andrew's PowerPoint to use as springboard for conversations about accompaniment, cultural differences, or an understanding of the YAGM program. The Upstate New York Synod has a YAGM in the Jerusalem/West Bank! Courtney Weller has a blogspot that is humorous and enlightening to read. She also has a newsletter which will address questions posted on her blog. You can support Courtney through your comments on her blog, questions, and prayer!
Links related to Global Mission, World Hunger, and YAGM
http://elcaworldhunger.ning.com/ - The Table is "a gathering place for those working with ELCA World Hunger to find ideas, connections, and inspiration."
http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Global-Mission/Engage-in-Global-Mission/Global-Service/Basics-of-Global-Service/Young-Adults.aspx is the website for ELCA YAGM specific information
http://www.facebook.com/ELCAYAGM Young Adults in Global Mission Facebook page
http://wandering-gnome.blogspot.com/ Courtney Weller's blog - a must for all youth groups to see!
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