{"id":1703,"date":"2019-01-17T11:24:04","date_gmt":"2019-01-17T16:24:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.presbyterianmission.org\/food-faith\/?p=1703"},"modified":"2021-01-28T21:26:54","modified_gmt":"2021-01-29T02:26:54","slug":"hunger-action-congregations-update","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/centernet.pcusa.org\/food-faith\/hac01-19\/","title":{"rendered":"PHP & Hunger Action Congregations Update"},"content":{"rendered":"

Dear Friends in Christ,<\/p>\n

On behalf of all of us at the Presbyterian Hunger Program, we send our greetings and best wishes for a wonderful new year. We hope it is full of love and joy, and full of faithful effort to bring us closer to God\u2019s vision of the beloved community here on Earth.<\/p>\n

As of World Food Day (Oct. 16) the network of covenanting Hunger Action Congregations was up to 111<\/a>. \u00a0After the Sept. 30, 2018 cut-off we\u2019ve had five new congregations join the fray. Welcome to First Presbyterian<\/strong> of Fredericktown, MO; Cambridge Presbyterian<\/strong> from Cambridge, MA; Riviera Presbyterian<\/strong> from Miami, FL; Presbyterian Church of Washington<\/strong> \u2013 Washington, MO; and Ladue Chapel Presbyterian<\/strong> \u2013 Ladue, MO.<\/p>\n

Like you, we at PHP are girding up for the many challenges we face in our communities, nation and world. We are so grateful to have you and thousands of Presbyterians around the country working together toward a world without hunger and one where all of God\u2019s children can live long, healthy and dignified lives.<\/p>\n

Famine, poverty and climate change stand out as special priorities for our work this year.<\/p>\n

1) PHP and Famine —\u00a0<\/strong>\"\"<\/strong>In 2018, PHP reached out to food security organizations in Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan and Yemen, all of which face extreme hunger and famine. PHP grants to these organizations will provide seeds, water pumps, fishing tools, emergency food assistance, agricultural and women\u2019s and girls\u2019 empowerment trainings in 2019.<\/p>\n

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2) PHP and Deep Poverty in the U.S. —\u00a0<\/strong>\"\"Through gifts to One Great Hour of Sharing and the Presbyterian Hunger Fund, PHP provided critical financial support to 55 domestic groups largely led by community-based leaders in the most impoverished areas of the country. We plan to offer similar (ideally greater!) support in 2019.<\/p>\n

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3) PHP and Climate Change —\u00a0<\/strong>\"\"PHP staff, representing the PC(USA), participated in the UN Climate Summit in Poland \u2013 COP24, and wrote a series of posts on the Food & Faith Blog<\/a> to keep you and other Presbyterians informed about the global agreements necessary to reduce CO2 emissions. We will continue to provide opportunities for concerned Presbyterians to act faithfully to protect God\u2019s creation this year.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n\"\"<\/a>\n

And we have new resources for you\u2026<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
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It\u2019s Eco-Palms Season<\/strong><\/p>\n

More than 300 million palm fronds are harvested each year for U.S. consumption alone \u2014 most of them for Palm Sunday, but also for floral displays for church-related events. Your congregation\u2019s commitment to purchase eco-palms plays an important role in\u00a0protecting forests, local jobs, and sustainable livelihoods in the harvesting communities.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Learn more and order Eco-Palms for your church here.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Eco-Palms Bulletin Insert<\/strong> \u2013 Download a high-resolution bulletin insert<\/a> about the Eco-Palms ministry<\/p>\n

Eco-Palms Infographic<\/strong> \u2013 A high-quality informational graphic can be downloaded here<\/a><\/p>\n

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Lent is coming <\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n

Here is your Daily Reflection-Action Calendar<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

In Lent, we reflect on Christ\u2019s ministry, death, and resurrection. We slow down, take time, and examine our internal spiritual lives and the way we live out our Christian faith in the world around us.<\/p>\n\"\"<\/a>\n

The Presbyterian Hunger Program strives to walk with people in moving towards\u00a0sustainable choices that restore and\u00a0protect all of God\u2019s children and creation. As people of faith, we seek to \u201cserve and preserve\u201d God\u2019s world. However, some of our collective choices have led to a changing global climate, which translates to warmer temperatures, rising sea-levels, and severe storms, just to name a few. To turn this tide, we must tread lightly on the face of God\u2019s Earth.<\/p>\n

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Last but not least\u2026 Stories from Hunger Action Congregations<\/strong><\/p>\n