I once met a man who not only doesn’t own a car, he has never driven one, and has never had a driver’s license. A peace activist, he sees this as ministry, as radical non-compliance with a warlike dominant culture. To him, a road doesn’t connect a community to resources; it makes a community vulnerable to military invasion.

This man lives in New York City, where car-free living is  easy. In the rest of the United States, the default for getting where you want, when you want, at any hour of the day, is driving.

Though I have no car, I do have a driver’s license. Still, I’m sure this license-free Methodist pastor and I see the world in similar ways. Without a car, you cultivate a different set of  traits and strategies. Creativity, for starters, because to get from point A to point B means considering many options, including buses and trains, a bicycle, riding with a friend, or walking. Planning is required to convert those options into an actual trip.

Cooperation is critical. When you don’t have your own set of keys, you’re very aware of other people’s agendas. No bus goes to your destination? Well, you can’t bully someone into driving you or lending you a car. Instead, you ask: how can everyone’s goals be accomplished here?

Sharing a ride in Rwanda

Flexibility comes in handy when it’s time to shift plans or face the fact that you’re not going anywhere, and are staying home instead. Gratitude infuses every step of the trip. If you’re on a bus or a train, you’re grateful it’s going when and where you want it to. If you’re sharing a ride, you’re grateful for the driver and plans that coincided.

Humility happens when you realize how many different people and forms of transportation helped you safely reach your goal. Car owners aren’t, I find, very humble. Crossing an intersection, I look into the faces of people who think they do own the road, and wish I would get out of the way. Besides tempting us to feel way more important than others, cars blind us to the system that supports driving. How many times have you heard people rail about subsidies for Amtrak or public transit—overlooking the public works budget that creates and maintains city streets and traffic signals, county roads and interstate highways? Few notice this “invisible” system of support; they only see the cost of their own car and their gas.

Finally, there’s competence and resourcefulness. Yesterday, my niece and I bicycled 2 miles to catch a county bus, took a long, interesting trip through farms and town and Indian reservation to a nearby city, switched to another bus, took a ferry, and rode our bikes to the island home of some friends. By the time we reversed our direction and reached home, biking against the fierce headwind that came up in the afternoon, we felt pretty clever. And grateful, of course!

Creative, flexible, grateful, humble, ingenious—I love being in the world this way. Yet not three weeks ago, visiting Chicago, it took exactly 15 minutes behind the wheel to turn me into an angry maniac honking and swearing at someone blocking her way!

How does driving make you feel?

Anne Basye, Sustaining Simplicity

I was texting my dad this morning encouraging him to vote.  He wryly commented on my newfound interest in politics, noting how when I was in college I was not so keen on engaging it.   And I must confess that indeed I was late to experience the joys of fully participating in a democracy.  I always felt that my vote was fairly small (it is only one out of so many) and that the political system was somewhat tainted (which it is–money and corporate interests play too large of a role).   I’ve come to terms with these struggles (it is a messy system, but it is the best we’ve got).

The bigger issue for me, and I continue to grapple with this question, is the relationship between the church and the state.   Jesus was executed as a threat to the state, and early Christianity was born in an apocalyptic milieu that in many ways saw the reign of God in opposition to Caesar.  In this context the church and state live in a very uneasy tension.  And just to be clear, I think the early prophetic critique of and challenge to unjust systems and structures needs to be reclaimed by the church.

That said, since I’ve begun to engage anti-hunger work more deeply, I’ve come to see the profound need for political activism.  These are some of the reasons why I voted today:

1) The problems that face those who are poor and vulnerable are systemic problems.  Laws and policies keep people impoverished, I need to vote for people and policies that will protect and empower those who are marginalized.

2) The church’s voice on social issues is key .  People of all faiths need to live into and speak out about the values that their tradition holds dear.  As I noted above, the church has a strong tradition of standing up for social justice (sorry, Glenn Beck, you are wrong).

3) It is a huge gift to have a voice (thanks to Christine Mangale in our Lutheran Office for World Community for pointing this out to me).  And it is a relatively small thing for me to raise my voice with and on behalf of those who are hungry.

If you are still not convinced, or want to think more about the question, check out Paul Hanson, Political Engagement as Biblical Mandate.  But before you do, get out and rock the vote!

-David Creech

The word of the Lord came to me: Mortal, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel: prophesy, and say to them—to the shepherds: Thus says the Lord God: Ah, you shepherds of Israel who have been feeding yourselves! Should not shepherds feed the sheep? You eat the fat, you clothe yourselves with the wool, you slaughter the fatlings; but you do not feed the sheep. You have not strengthened the weak, you have not healed the sick, you have not bound up the injured, you have not brought back the strayed, you have not sought the lost…

Ezekiel 34:1-4

Is this Law or Gospel? I think it depends on if you have food or not!

-David Creech

Today, I am blogging about something I just found out about. It is backed by the United Nations and my favorite sport. So what is today’s subject? A very cool event called the European Match Day against Hunger. This last weekend soccer teams all over Europe rallied with the purpose of advocating against hunger.  According to an article from the Food and Agricultural Organization of the UN, the “Austrian league ambassador Herbert Prohaska said: ‘The main purpose of the Match Day against hunger is to show that all of us can fight against hunger and poverty. Because everywhere in the world people are playing football this is a perfect stage for this message’.”

A soccer coach myself; I cannot help but to agree that this is the perfect stage for a call to action. One reason is because children everywhere kick around soccer balls. In fact, a few months ago I blogged about an indestructible soccer ball that was being distributed to children in war-torn areas. Also, in many areas of Europe soccer is the most popular sport to watch, follow and play. This means there is potential to inspire an entire continent to think about hunger, take action against hunger, and care about hunger! So it is both a stage used by those who are hungry and by those who can advocate for them.

I think that Hristo Stoichkov of the Bulgarian League put it well when he said, “We must do everything in order to guarantee for all children around the world the love and food they need. That is their sacred right”.

Learn more about the European Match Day Against Hunger Here:

http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/46667/ico/

View photos here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/1billionhungry/sets/72157625078678417/

~Lana

This is the sixth in a series of posts highlighting hunger-related activities that happened over the summer at ELCA Outdoor Ministry locations with the help of Education/Advocacy grants from ELCA World Hunger. This week’s post is from Luther Point Bible Camp in Grantsburg, Wisconsin.

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Outdoor ministry is, at its core, about growth. Many of the campers start their week either not wanting to be at camp or thinking that they have been here so many times they think they cannot possibly get something new out of the experience. Yet God works in wonderful ways and by the end of the week most do not want to leave. Whether it is the relationship with their counselor, the worship experiences, or the exciting games, walls are broken down and the campers are opened up to new understandings our connections with God, creation, and each other. 

Here at Luther Point we were able to watch and wait as a garden grew this summer, thanks to the Education/Advocacy Grant from ELCA World Hunger. There was much patience and unknown throughout the process, as well as some not so fun work in some very warm weather. In spite of the weeds, rain, and humidity, there is something very refreshing about being able to see growth in a garden. Watching a tomato or a green pepper develop gives a sense not only of accomplishment, but also of gratefulness. 

Most importantly, the growth of our garden helped our campers to grow this summer.   They could see the parallels between the growth of a garden and the growth of faith and come to a new understanding of God in their own lives. Moreover, they went home with a new realization that they do actually have a voice when it comes to world hunger and that they can take steps against it in fairly simple ways. 

The produce grown in our garden was sold at our annual Summer Celebration at the end of our summer season. We set up a Farmer’s Market in addition to our traditional craft and quilt auction and many supporters of Luther Point happily walked away with some fresh and beautiful food. We ended up selling over $500 of produce, all of which will go to ELCA World Hunger.

Jesse Weiss
Program Coordinator
Luther Point Bible Camp

Following up on Julie’s post from last week, I’ve been reading Samuel Torvend’s Daily Bread, Holy Meal (worth a read–accessible yet sophisticated, with study questions to boot!).  Here is just a taste (pun intended) of the delights contained within.

If Jesus’ proclamation in word and deed pointed to God’s just and peaceful reign in human life and history, then might it not follow that his disciples are also called to serve the reign of God, albeit as discerned in Jesus of Nazareth?  From this view, the function of the church is not to maintain itself but to serve the reign of God as revealed in Jesus of Nazareth.  In a consumer culture such as North America, however, it is easy to imagine these days that the church’s purpose is to order its life around sustaining or “growing” churches rather than serving the reign of God’s justice and peace.

Torvend goes on,

But we have to ask: was Jesus executed because he wanted to “grow” a worldwide organization (or as some might say, a “gospel community”) or because his understanding of of the reign of God proved to be too troubling for those who claimed to “rule” or “reign” over his land and people?

How are we doing at living into Jesus’ vision of the reign of God?

-David Creech

At the edge of the vast Pacific Northwest lies the Olympic National Park, home to the largest unmanaged herd of Roosevelt Elk in the world and the Elwha River Restoration Project. Since the early 1900s the Elwha has been a residence for two dams, and the river that is home to all five species of Pacific salmon, altered. Current runs of salmon have dwindled to just about 3,000. A new life, however is about to return to this river system.

The Elwha Dam

Glines Canyon Dam

After nearly 100 years the Elwha’s two dams are up for removal. Slated to be the largest dam removal project ever in this country, it is estimated that salmon runs of 300,000 will return to over 70 miles of river and stream over the course of 30 years. Salmon, a common food in the Pacific Northwest, are an essential part of both local culture and biodiversity. For starters, salmon are an important part of the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe’s culture and consequently, the tribe is a major contributor to dam restoration efforts. Removal will allow them to once again recognize age old traditions. For the larger forest, however, salmon provide a food source for multiple animals, including bears and eagles. Additionally, “after spawning [salmon] carcasses supply the ecosystem with nitrogen and phosphorus” (Popular Mechanics). According to the National Park Service the project is also good for other parts of the ecosystem. They offer that, “Removing the dams will reestablish the natural flow of sediment from the mountains to the coast—rebuilding wetlands, beaches and the estuary at the river’s mouth.”

Removing a dam is no small project; in fact this one is nearly 30 years in the making. In addition to the initial planning, multiple projects have been undertaken over the past couple of years including water treatment facilities, engineered log jams and the planting of native vegetation. These are each essential parts of the process, ensuring both the success of the project, and the river’s ability to continue to supply clean water to local people. After all that, the dams themselves could take up to three years to remove fully.

As a Washington native, lover of salmon, and a Christian always looking to be more involved in caring for God’s amazing creation, I cannot help but to be excited about this project. As we restore rivers, habitats and ecosystems a more bounteous creation emerges; stronger salmon runs, increased wildlife, renewed beaches and a tiny bit of return to balance. For me, personally, the bigger picture of hunger is not just about what a single person eats, but about how creation interacts such that native food exists, thrives and supplies the nutrients for our lives.

You can learn more about the Elwha River Restoration Project here (these are the sites I used to write this blog):

• http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/environment/water/2294301
• http://www.nps.gov/olym/naturescience/loader.cfm?csModule=security/getfile&pageid=360254&bypasswarning=1
• http://www.nps.gov/olym/naturescience/elwha-ecosystem-restoration.htm

~ Lana Lile

Last summer, my favorite Mexican sandals got new soles and a new life thanks to a resourceful friend at Holden Village. This summer, scrambling up a rocky mountain, the sole of my hiking boot peeled away from the rest of the boot. My hiking partner and I wrapped the boot in first-aid tape so I could safely descend. (With duct tape, I could have gone on!) A resourceful Villager glued and clamped both boots with extra-strength hose glue so I could finish out the hiking season.

A couple weeks ago, my comfy left Keens shoe opened up. A shoe repair man explained why he couldn’t sew it back together, and offered to glue it for $8.50. I accepted, knowing repaired shoes would buy me time to replace them more thoughtfully and carefully.

“How long have you had these shoes?” he asked.

When I said two years, he laughed. I figured that was because, as a shoe repair guy, he kept his own shoes in such good condition that he got five or six years out of them. But no! “Two years? I get new shoes every six months!”

I always wondered how the shoe man in my old neighborhood paid his rent when he seemed to be in the business of refusing to repair shoes. And now I meet a shoe guy who doesn’t wear his shoes long enough for anything to go wrong.

Looking into this, I discovered that many shoe and podiatry web sites recommend replacing athletic shoes every 350 to 500 miles to prevent tendonitis, shin splints, and other maladies I’ve never suffered. For me, with no car, that would mean new shoes every four months.

Other websites say that shoes are the problem, and we should all be walking or running barefoot, like our correspondent Lana.  (Here is a really fascinating article exploring the shoes-versus-barefeet question.) The only web site that thinks old shoes aren’t a problem is Kiwi, the shoe polish manufacturer! The more we invest in polishing and repairing our shoes, the better their bottom line.

And that’s what bugs me: the bottom line. Yes, feet should be healthy, and businesses need to survive. But how much “advice” is a thinly cloaked suggestion to spend more? An intentional campaign to goose consumption?

To win a bet, this high school student wore the same pair of shoes four years (maybe a little TOO long!) Click on the image to see what he learned about the assumptions people make based on the shoes you wear.

You know how baking soda is our idea of a green cleaning product? How we use it to clean sinks and keep refrigerators and drains smelling fresh? In an earlier part of my career, I read a marketing case study about how the geniuses at Arm & Hammer took a baking product whose market universe was limited by the annual number of cakes baked, and identified new uses that convinced millions and millions of people to literally THROW THEIR PRODUCT DOWN THE DRAIN.

It bugs me that a lot of our economy is based on throwing stuff down the drain—especially when others have so little. Especially when the environmental impact of harvesting/manufacturing the materials that go into our shoes—rubber, plastic, polyurethane, acetate, nylon, suede, and cloth—may be devastating. And instead of objecting to injustice or waste, we say oh well, what can I do, and buy another pair. After all, it’s recommended.

Anne Basye, Sustaining Simplicity

I had a professor in college who liked to tell students, “Communion is not a snack.” ‘Of course it’s not a snack,’ I thought the first time I heard his mini-lecture. ‘It’s you know, communion.’ Equating the Lord’s Supper with a snack was a humorous way for my professor to introduce what he was trying to communicate, but in truth that understanding was not a far-off stretch from what many of my friends and classmates believed, including myself. For I could sit there thinking, ‘it’s you know, communion,’ but struggle to put into words the depth and breadth of meaning and character of the holy meal that makes comparing it to a snack absurd.

In the time since then I’ve come, and am still coming to, a much richer, fuller, and truer understanding of the sacrament of holy communion. I could write a lot about that process, all the influences that shape it, my current convictions and what I’m still working through, but that would become a very long blog post! Instead, I’ll just share from a recent influence, the thoughts Dr. Samuel Torvend shared with us at the Detroit Hunger Leaders Gathering.

The Rev. Dr. Samuel Torvend presented a workshop, “The Spirituality and Practice of Eucharistic Ethics” and plenary session, “Who Benefits from Keeping the Hungry Poor Both Hungry and Poor?” at the Gathering. I loved what he had to say. (Torvend won me over in part by reminding me of my professor’s communion/snack distinction with his likening of individual communion wafers to fish food — “It takes more faith to believe its bread than the body of Christ,” I believe is what he said. Ha!)

But in all seriousness, Torvend said some very powerful things about the ways in which eucharistic practice shapes a spirituality of social commitment with, to and for people who are hungry and poor. There is an environmental ethic in every part of eucharistic celebration. Socioeconomic class is always invoked. Celebrating the eucharist always sends us out into the world to serve all in need and give ourselves away as bread for the hungry, to actually become what we eat and drink. Torvend made clear the “seamless flow between the table of the Lord and the table of the poor” and shared the conviction that sacrament and social action are coextensive, like breathing in and breathing out. For me, the connections between receiving the bread of life and feeding those who are hungry are undeniable.

I continue to think about the various ethical imperatives and questions that Torvend raised for us in Detroit, and hope you could gain something from my brief and humble attempt to reflect on them. I encourage you to check out Torvend’s thoughts yourself!

Julie Reishus

The church of Christ in every age,
beset by change but Spirit-led,
must claim and test its heritage
and keep on rising from the dead.

Across the world, across the street,
the victims of injustice cry
for shelter and for bread to eat,
and never live until they die.

The let the servant church arise,
a caring church that longs to be
a partner in Christ’s sacrifice,
and clothed in Christ’s humanity.

For he alone, whose blood was shed,
can cure the fever in our blood,
and teach us how to share our bread
and feed the starving multitude.

We have no mission but to serve
in full obedience to our Lord:
to care for all, without reserve,
and spread his liberating word.

May we have the courage to live into this ideal.

David Creech