Stories of Hunger Ministry 2005

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Westminster Conference youth raise hunger awareness in "Roving 30-hour Famine"

(1-10-05)

Lutheran youth groups from the Carroll County, Md., will take part in a "Roving 30-hour Famine" at the end of April to raise awareness of local and international hunger issues and to raise funds for World Vision, a nonprofit Christian humanitarian organization serving the world's poorest children and families in nearly 100 countries.

The event begins at individual churches Friday night, April 29, 2005, with getting-to-know you games, Bible study, a movie discussion, music, and hunger awareness projects as youth and advisers begin a 30-hour fast. Beginning early Saturday, April 30, groups start to combine into larger groups at area churches. When all have gathered at a single church in late afternoon, participants share in a concert, worship and dinner.

Last year, about 60 people from six churches participated in projects like a grocery store shopping competition to see who could buy the most food with $20, with the food then being donated to local food banks. Participants also made beaded bracelets to remind themselves why they were fasting. Local planners wanted to add a group service project, so they collected staples for the Hanover, Pa., Red Cross Disaster Response Vehicle. Red Cross workers brought the vehicle to the gathering site and explained their mission while youth stacked the vehicle with items they'd brought.

This year, the event is being opened to all churches in the Delaware-Maryland Synod's Westminster Conference. Planners hoped to have a point person from each participating congregation attend a work session once every four-to-six weeks beginning in January. Interested congregations may contact Lynn Sheavly, (410)239-4541, for more information.