By Rev. Paul Ostrem, Assistant to the Bishop
Zach Schmidt from Bread for the World led a training event at the Synod Center for Ministry on April 25, for BFW’s 2019 Offering of Letters to Congress. The theme and emphasis for this year’s effort is, “Better Nutrition, Better Tomorrow.”
In 2017, the synod assembly adopted a resolution regarding the first 1000 days of life, a time from conception to age two when nutrition is vitally critical for the healthy development of children, a developmental time that impacts a person’s entire life. This year’s offering of letters likewise reflects this concern calling for additional investment in efforts that will provide better access, both domestically and globally, to nutrition for expecting mothers and their children.
I encourage you to visit www.bread.org/ol for helps to organize an offering of letters in your congregation or community. Click on the “Get the Toolkit” tab for helpful resources including a power point presentation and sample letters. Other resources including bulletin inserts are available, as well.
We have two dedicated volunteers from this synod who are willing to help congregations conduct an offering of letters, even by visiting your congregation as their time allows. Feel free to contact Russ Melby from Ames, (515) 460-5041 [email protected] or Steve Panther from Iowa City, (319) 930-9197 [email protected] for assistance.
Offering of Letters campaigns through Bread for the World have proven to be effective ways to advocate for the lowest and least among us. Of faith in Jesus, the hope of the world, compels us to speak and act together as an “Anti-Hunger Synod.”
