News about Bread for the World members working together to end hunger Legacy of Hope FALL 2 015 u VOLUME 15 NUMBER 2 New Global Commitment to End Hunger by 2030 Pope Francis challenges the United States to take the lead in ending hunger. Bread for the World organizes a historic convocation in Washington, D.C. ith strong support from Bread include the top leaders from the Wfor the World’s members and major faith families in the United its board of directors, a convo - States as well as the presidents of cation of more than 100 interfaith Catholic Relief Services, Church World leaders met in Washington, D.C., Service, and Lutheran World Relief. just days before the arrival of Pope For a full list of the pledge signers, Francis on September 24 to meet visit bread.org/interfaithpledge. David Beckmann (left), president of with President Obama and to In his speech to a joint session Bread for the World, looks on as address the U.S. Congress. of Congress, Pope Francis urged Cardinal Donald Wuerl, archbishop At a media event at the National “legislative activity that stimulates the of Washington, D.C., announces a Press Club, Cardinal Donald Wuerl, growth of all members [of society], pledge to work to end hunger by 2030. the archbishop of Washington, D.C., especially those of greater vulnerability announced that interfaith leaders had or risk.” Citing Moses, the pope told PHOTO © ZACH BLUM / BREAD FOR THE WORLD signed a pledge that calls for a “shift members of Congress, “You are asked in U.S. national priorities … to put to protect by means of the law, the spiritual goods.” our nation and the world on track image and likeness fashioned by During the pope’s visits to to ending hunger by 2030.” God on every human face.” Washington, D.C., New York, and The pledge reads, in part, “We Later in the week, on September Philadelphia, Bread for the World are deeply pleased to welcome Pope 25, Pope Francis addressed the organized a street canvas. As a result, Francis to the United States…. He United Nations General Assembly thousands of individuals signed the has called us all to pray and work to in New York. In support of the new #Pledge2EndHunger . An online end hunger. We are pleased that he Sustainable Development Goals, message from actor Martin Sheen summoned our nation to end the which call for an end to extreme encouraged others to join Bread for hunger in our midst and support hunger and poverty by 2030, he the World in signing the pledge. global efforts to overcome hunger.” called for a “new agenda for devel - To learn more about the In addition to Cardinal Wuerl, opment … with access, on the part #Pledge2EndHunger, please visit signers of this pledge to end hunger of all, to essential material and www.pledge2endhunger.org. The latest government report on food insecurity Please call, email, or write your members of shows that – for the third year in a row – Congress and urge them to pass a strong childhood hunger remains virtually unchanged. child nutrition bill that connects more children One in five children in the United States lives with the meals they need to thrive. For a in a family that struggles to get enough to eat. sample letter and contact information, visit Programs like school meals are a lifeline for www.bread.org/ol2015. these children. From Letter Writing to Twitter Posts: A Member’s Remarkable Journey oga instructor. Grandmother. Painter of for a year and a half, then married. “But we lived Yreligious icons. Interim pastor at Christ the 100 miles apart for another year and a half,” said King Lutheran Church in Greenville, S.C. Linda, “until Brian got the call to teach at Lutheran At this stage in her life, Bread for the World Theological Southern Seminary in Columbia, S.C. member Rev. Dr. Linda Anderson wears several Then Brian, his three teenage children, and I were hats. Soon she will don another: co-leading an all together. Maybe that was God’s way of easing effort to reach unchurched people in Greenville. us into family life!” “This is a project of the Evangelical Lutheran Linda says that, for her, the heart of Bread for Church in America,” Linda explains. “We aim to the World is the shared belief that people who are reach people who are intentional but who feel hungry should not have to forego food. “So much excluded or lost touch with church. People who influence is levied by lobbyists. If that is the way call themselves spiritual but not religious.” power is wielded, then we need to do it on behalf Linda says, “We will first find of poor and hungry people.” out where God is working in their Linda remember visiting Sen. John Warner lives already. Many do not trust. (R-Va.) in 199 1. “He just could not see any benefit When they really see that they are to the bill we were asking him to support, and said truly welcome, they will stay.” so, loudly interrupting our group’s spokesperson. Linda grew up in Boulder, Colo. The speaker became flustered, so I started talking. “I heard about Bread for the World I was able to give what felt like a very persuasive when it was still fairly new,” she argument for the bill,” she laughs. says. “As a college student, I Today, Linda says she has a writing relationship didn’t have a lot of cash. Here with Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.). “We don’t agree was a movement where you could on all things, but I always get a polite response.” contribute even if you did not Linda and Brian are part of Baker’s Dozen, Bread have money. I wrote lot of for the World’s monthly giving program. Recently, Rev. Dr. Linda Anderson letters. I talked to legislators.” the two decided to include Bread for the World in After college, Linda went on to their estate plans. “We talked about what we want earn a master’s degree and doctor - to leave money to. A bequest is a way for us to ate in exercise physiology and biochemistry from leave a more substantial gift. Brian and I both felt the University of Wisconsin-Madison. During her strongly about including Bread,” Linda says. graduate studies, she also worked in cardiac rehab. Linda and Brian currently live in Lexington, At this point in her life, she felt a call to ministry S.C., with their two cats, Marbles and Dora. Their and went on to graduate from Trinity Lutheran children are grown and living in South Carolina, Seminary in Columbus, Ohio. Minnesota, and North Carolina. Linda and Brian Linda met her husband Brian Anderson when have five grandchildren. both were doctoral students at Union Seminary in The new outreach ministry in nearby Greenville Richmond, Va. Upon graduation, Linda became is set to launch this month. Linda is educating a pastor in Luray, Va., at the north end of the herself on social media tools like Twitter and Shenandoah Valley. Brian’s call to ministry was in Instagram. “I’m also looking forward to my first flash Lexington, at the south end of the Valley. mob worship service. In the community I envision, They maintained a long distance relationship it will be possible!” ‘We Are Marching in the Light of God’ By James Lund ours in Christ—can sustain us during the Vice President for Development weeks and months that may be filled with too and Membership many activities and too many demands. It also gives us hope and determination as Congress n many churches, “We are marching in the seems to have ground to a halt, with little Ilight of God” has become a popular anthem. concern for the damage done to those who This joyous African hymn is used to send are most vulnerable, most in need. congregants out into the world at the end of Our life in Christ is for many of us a the worship service. During the closing days well-spring for the generosity that pours out of the year, as daylight hours grow shorter and in gifts to family members and friends as well shorter, your spirits may be uplifted by the as contributions to organizations that benefit James Lund song’s confident refrain. those in need. We will soon celebrate the birth of Christ. Throughout 2015, you and other Bread We will hear again those majestic words from for the World members have been remarkably John’s Gospel: “What has come into being generous in your financial support of our in him was life, and the life was the light of work together to end hunger. Because of your all people. The light shines in the darkness, gifts, we have been able to involve more and the darkness did not overcome it.” individuals and churches than ever before. (John 1:3b-5). And our collective Christian voice for an end This promise of light—and the life that is to hunger has grown stronger. Thank you! … whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant…. For the Son of Man came not to be Bread for the World Sunday 2015 served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many. Churches Pray, Act, and Give – Mark 10:43 and 45 PHOTO © USAID Bread for the Worl d’s members have helped impro to fa ve our government’s assistance rmers in Africa and elsewhere. o More than 2,000 churches across the country Almost all of these churches included special day we celebrate Bread for the World Sunday as an opportunity to renew our commitment to pray, act, an d give for an end to hunger in God’s Tworld.