Port Orchard's First Lutheran feeds homeless, when it can find them

http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/kitsap/poi/lifestyle/104964159.html

Presentation this Sunday on Namibia

Readers,

I will lead a presentation on the companion relationship between the Southwestern Washington Synod and its companion synod in Namibia this coming Sunday, Oct. 24, at 9:30 a.m. at Port Madison Lutheran Church on Bainbridge Island. We'll look at the 30-year history of this friendship, how it's deepened and what's been accomplished. And, we'll look at the most recent visit by a synod delegation earlier this year. Come join us. The church is at 14000 Madison Avenue NE on the north end of the island. Coming from the south, take Highway 3 to 305 at Poulsbo, turn right and follow to the island. Turn left at first stoplight on island (Day Road). Turn left at Madison Avenue and you're there. Free coffee.

I'll see you there. Rachel Pritchett, communicator

Toward bringing everybody to the table

PARKLAND – "It is important to understand that ending hunger is not impossible."
That bold proclamation came from The Rev. Jim McDonald, managing director of Bread for the World, at the Oct. 15 kick-off of the synod’s Ethic of Eating conference at Trinity Lutheran Church and Pacific Lutheran University.
A "great exodus" out of global hunger and poverty has taken place between 1970, when one in three people went hungry, to 2000, when one in six needed food, he said.
That was particularly true in India and China, where more affluent, urban middle classes emerged from impoverished rural areas.
But the severe food-price wars that covered the globe in 2008 coupled with the unprecedented worldwide recession cause the fight against hunger to retreat, he said. Today, progress stands at 1970 levels.
In the United States, one in four children live in families struggling to put food on the table, he said.
McDonald suggested that to understand how some eat and some don’t in this world, and what can be done, he suggested two books by Michael Pollan, "The Omnivore’s Dilemma" and his newest, "Food Rules."
McDonald urged listeners to contact their political representatives and let them know that alleviating hunger is a top priority. If they don’t respond, vote them out in November.
David Creech, ELCA director of hunger education, urged participants to become "critically aware" of what comes to the table, and respond, either simply through grace acknowledging the sacrifice, or joining a community-supported agriculture group.

Namibia blog re-activiated

Readers,

I have re-activated the Namibia blog, used last spring by the synod delegation that visited in order to communicate with readers. I'm starting to dump more stories and photos into that blog, now that I'm free to do so, and there will be quite a bit more starting Friday, when I have some time I can devote to that. the blog can be accessed from the synod website home page at www.lutheranssw.org or here:

http://namibiaconnect.blogspot.com/

Rachel Pritchett, communicator

Bishop Hofstad argues for balance of power

Readers,

Bishop Robert D. Hofstad speaks out as the ELCA considers changes in governance. He argues that the authority of decisions between the Church Council and the Council of Bishops "is not in balance." His voice is being heard. Read more about this on the link below.

Also, for those of you who might not know. ELCA Secretary Dave Swartling and wife Barbara are from Bainbridge Island. - RP


http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4651

Regarding the North Seattle Church and the Tent City ...

It's a question that's been addressed recently by a smattering of other Western Washington communities - Kent and Puyallup, for starters. Many point to Tacoma's Housing First initiative that puts homeless in apartments rather than tents, at least in Bremerton, where I work. - RP

http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2010/oct/08/east-bremerton-church-backs-away-from-tent-city/

Ethis of Eating Conference Coming

Readers,

While I was in Namibia on a synod visitation trip this spring, the women of a church in a remote desert region in the north cooked us a special meal that was, by all means, all local. The goat, the chicken, a fermented milk concoction, the pumpkin and grain for the oshifima porridge all came, I'm certain, from a mile or two radius. Other than a few cans of pop, I'm thinking that this was the most "locally produced" meal I'd ever had. I've marveled over that meal and how it was accomplished many times since. I'm looking forward to next weekend's Ethics of Eating conference in Tacoma, and I hope you'll join me. Here are the details. -RP

The 2010 Ethics of Eating event "What’s on Our Plate and Why Does it Matter?" will be Oct. 15 and 16 at Trinity Lutheran Church of Parkland and Pacific Lutheran University. The event, to raise awareness of hunger in the world, will feature the Rev. Jim McDonald, managing director of Bread for the World. Other speakers will include David Creech of the ELCA Hunger Appeal. It begins Friday evening from 5 to 9 p.m. McDonald will speak then and a soup supper is planned. Also that night, a film is planned, along with discussion on ELCA water efforts. Trinity Lutheran church is at 12115 Park Ave. The event continues Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at PLU. The cost is $25 for adults and $15 for youth. To register, contact Allison Ramsey at the synod office or visit www.lutheranssw.org.