The Presbyterian Hunger Program (PHP) is encouraging Presbyterians to join other religious leaders this month in an action against the Wendy’s Restaurant chain. On January 18, faith leaders around the country are planning a National Day of Fasting and Witness to protest the corporation’s refusal to join the Fair Food Program.
Cleanup continues in South Dakota after an oil leak in the Keystone Pipeline earlier this month spilled more than 210,000 gallons of oil approximately three miles southeast of Amherst. The state’s Department of Environment and Natural Resources says it is the largest Keystone oil spill to date in the state.
As Christmas approaches, we face many choices regarding shopping, schedules and more. In addition to consumer dilemmas, we are faced with spiritual dilemmas. On one hand, we want to observe Advent and wait for the Christ child. On the other, we want to shop and wrap and bake — and we run ourselves ragged in the process. The following ideas from the Presbyterian Hunger Program are designed to help Presbyterians celebrate the birth of Christ in more meaningful ways than mainstream culture provides. Incorporate one, two or all of these ideas into your holiday celebrations. Share with family and friends. And when the holidays are over, turn these ideas into 2018 resolutions.
Nearly 30 spiritual leaders recently gathered in New Mexico to show their support for threatened public lands sacred to Native Americans, and for tribal sovereignty. The event, organized by New Mexico Wildlife Federation and Creation Justice Ministries, brought together representatives from a number of denominations and groups including Presbyterian, Lutheran, Catholic, United Church of Christ, and Jewish, as well as several Native American organizations.
The humanitarian conditions in the conflict-ridden Kasai region of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are rapidly deteriorating. There is a now a deepening hunger crisis and an estimated 3.2 million people are without reliable access to enough nutritious food.
Westminster Presbyterian Church in Santa Fe, New Mexico is a little church with a big heart. It recently applied for and was recognized as a Hunger Action Congregation by the Presbyterian Hunger Program. One of its hunger advocacy programs, titled “Imagine No Hunger,” approaches the hunger issue in a unique way — by fasting.
What does the Bible say about poverty? Is it an unfortunate but inevitable reality? Is it the fault of the poor themselves? Is it a way to get close to God? Is it a curse from God?
In recognition of World Food Day, the Presbyterian Hunger Program has announced that more than 70 Presbyterian churches have become Hunger Action Congregations since the initiative was announced last summer.
How does your church commemorate World Food Day? For some congregations, the day during Food Week of Action means a special meal offered to community residents who wrestle with poverty and hunger. Others use the annual campaign to promote what they’re already doing, such as community gardens or food pantries.
For more than 17 years, the Presbyterian Hunger Program (PHP), through its Joining Hands initiative, has been tackling the root causes of hunger and poverty. PHP staff recently gathered with representatives from several countries to look at the progress and where to go from here.
