Churches Find Creative Ways to Prepare for Bread for the World Sunday
Listen: Interview with Ched Myers
August 2010
For a decade now, congregations have set aside one Sunday in the fall as a time to renew their commitment to ending hunger in God’s world. This year, October 17 is the date many churches will celebrate Bread for the World Sunday. Others will choose another date before Thanksgiving.
There are almost as many ways to observe Bread for the World Sunday as there are churches around the country.
Kathleen Gribble, the Bread for the World liaison at St. Bernard Parish in Appleton, WI, says that a pulpit announcement and colorful tri-fold display in the sanctuary during mass help spread the word about Bread for the World.
Last year, the liturgy at St. Bernard’s included singing Marty Haugen’s hymn, “Bread for the World.” After mass, members of the social justice committee talked informally with parishioners as they enjoyed coffee and donuts during fellowship hour.
At Carter Temple Church in Chicago, Darlene Walton gave an informational talk on Bread for the World. The children’s program engaged the church’s youngest members in a conversation about the many ways they are blessed, while—at the same time—other children have a minimal amount to eat.
Walton is a regional chairperson for the Christian Methodist Church, and she reports, “I was able to get 20 CME churches in our region to participate in Bread for the World Sunday and learn about urging our leaders to go positively toward ending hunger.”
In Trinity, NC, the sanctuary and worship areas at Mount Vernon United Methodist Church were festooned with a variety of bread loaves. Everyone who attended services on Bread for the World Sunday received a piece of bread. Worshippers were encouraged to reflect on the day’s special meaning and Bread for the World’s work.
Pastor Beverly Gaska’s sermon focused on the causes and solutions to hunger.
In Wisconsin, Kathleen Gribble is candid about the challenges of promoting advocacy at her large church. “People can be wary for many reasons,” she says. “Sometimes it’s because policy issues seem too abstract or complicated. They may worry they’ll be criticized for ‘being political’ in church. But the more they see it happening as a part of our worship, the better people can see how action fits with our Christian faith.”
“I found inspiration in The Rising of Bread for the World,” Gribble continues, “where [Bread for the World founder] Art Simon writes, ‘It is not only permissible to convey our opinions to elected officials, but … doing so is a huge opportunity to express the love in action that is urged upon us throughout the Bible.’”
Churches may order free worship bulletin inserts for their celebration of Bread for the World Sunday. Offering envelopes are also available. A resource guide with a scripture study by Rev. Dr. Sharon Watkins and a litany by Father Ron Rolheiser may be requested as well.
This article is part of the July-August 2010 issue of Hunger Sunday, a bi-monthly newsletter for churches featuring the latest resources and updates about how your church can help end hunger.
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