Dear St. Luke’s family,
Twelve of us from St. Luke’s Missions and Circles West Orange had the opportunity to go to Washington D.C. with Bread for the World to advocate for anti-hunger policies which empower children and families struggling with food insecurity. It was an incredible experience for so many reasons! Being there for one another, lifting up stories and experiences, holding each other up while sharing difficult stories, and admiring each other’s courage to do so was truly life-changing. Coming together as a community for each other and for our neighbors locally and globally was extremely powerful.
I’m still marveling at several things that happened before, during, and after. Let me start with how God put everything we needed in place, beginning with your generous Lenten Offering, that made the trip possible. So, thank you for answering that call! Thank you also for prioritizing advocating for food and housing security through our Restoring Hope Initiative.
The work in D.C. got us started in articulating what would be more helpful for struggling families, justice for previously incarcerated persons, equity for black and migrant farmers, and how to promote care for the environment. All this, and more, are outlined in the 2023 Farm Bill, which has the single-most-important anti-hunger policy within it.
We now need more voices to join our St. Luke’s Missions and Circles team; that is where you come in! This coming Sunday (July 9) after each worship service, we are holding what Bread for the World calls “Offering of Letters.” Stop by the Youth Center or the Special Events Dining Room (off of the Building C Rotunda) to hear a quick presentation about what the Farm Bill is, how you can help advocate to end hunger, and the impact these letters will have for our neighbors locally and around the world. Then you’ll be given time and space to write a letter to your representatives urging them to support parts of the Farm Bill that will end hunger for children and families in our community. All the letters written during this time will be gathered up and sent to our elected officials, and we hope you will join us.
We look forward to seeing you on Sunday for worship as we continue our sermon series Songs of Summer, and we are called to remember our baptism, because it’s not St. Luke’s without U!
Hope and peace,
Mariam Mengistie
St. Luke’s Executive Director of Missions