Contact - Job Description

GUIDELINES FOR CONGREGATIONAL WORLD HUNGER* ADVOCATE

*The word “hunger” is here used in a generic sense, meaning not just lack of food but also of clothing, shelter, healthcare, learning, and so on.


The major reason for having a congregational Hunger Advocate is to assure that there will be at least one Champion for hunger causes in the congregation.

Following are basic guidelines:

1. Communicate with your pastor, congregational council, and committees such as Mission Outreach or Social Concerns.
Offer help and encouragement to achieve the demonstrated concern of Jesus for the poor and suffering people and to promote the ELCA World Hunger Program.
Request the pastor to install you as an advocate for the poor and needy at a worship service.

2. Educate yourself about the worldwide needs and what is being done to satisfy those needs.
You will receive two World Hunger packets per year. These include basic information and ideas.
Additional information is available from the church wide offices at 8765 West Higgins Rd, Chicago, IL 60631. Phone number 1-800-638-3522 x2764. Note that you will leave a message and it may take several days for a return call.
Lutheran World Relief provides information and teaching materials. Phone number 1-800-LWR-LWR2.
Separate World Hunger packets are sent directly to the congregation.

3. Distribute materials you have ordered to the appropriate congregational leadership.
Worship, youth, education, stewardship, social concerns.
Make suggestions about how this material may be used.

4. Educate your congregation.
Studies show that invited speakers have been successful in informing congregations concerning hunger issues.
Speakers with backgrounds in World Hunger issues are available. Several live within the Rocky Mountain Synod. A speaker list is located at rmselca.org.
Find individuals within your congregation who could lead adult forums and other groups (i.e. Welca, youth, and seniors).
Copy World Hunger vignettes for bulletin inserts and newsletters.
Use some of the many ideas from the resource manual. This manual is provided at the annual workshops. A manual and updates may be obtained by contacting Karen Hart at 719-275-8415 or through tkhart2@msn.com.
Include weekly and monthly reminders in the bulletin and newsletter.

5. Provide opportunities for giving.
Establish a giving goal. Some people may have the means and inclination to give a dollar per day. Some may choose to meet our Bishop’s challenge of $10 per month. The lack of needed information or challenge should never inhibit giving.
Provide World Hunger Appeal contribution envelopes.
Change your congregation’s weekly giving envelopes to include a “World Hunger” designation. These envelopes can be purchased through One Write Company at 1-740-654-2128.
Encourage special giving opportunities (i.e. Thanksgiving and Lent).

6. Instruct the church treasurer on where to send receipts.
All World Hunger receipts are to be sent directly to the Rocky Mountain Synod on a regular basis.
It is prudent to check just prior to year’s end to ensure that all receipts have been sent and recorded in the year collected.

7. Promote fundraising and awareness activities.
Many fundraiser programs and activities can be found in the resource manual.

8. Pray that by the compassion of Christ for poor and suffering people your congregation may be inspired to give in response to his love.

For further guidance or help, you may contact the synod office or anyone of the Hunger Network members.