In February and March of 2025, the ISC Justice and Mission Team sent a brief survey to ISC churches to determine priorities where the team might be able to help. When the survey results were analyzed, hunger concerns overwhelmingly were identified as a priority within the churches that responded. Once again, we thank you for your responses.The topic of Welcoming Strangers ranked second, and we will be addressing that need as well. Two things have happened since we looked at the results. Our team has been in touch by phone with churches that requested a call for further discussion. Regarding hunger issues, most responded that educational information such as Bible studies and resources would be a good way to work within their congregations regarding issues.The ISC Justice and Mission Team researched, and found links that we think you may find interesting and useful.
1.The following links are Bible studies that are ready to use, and free.
From the Presbyterian Church, Just Eating? Practicing our Faith at the Table -This is a 7 session Bible study, and is the curriculum that the United Church of Christ also uses.
https://pcusa.org/resource/just-eating-leaders-guide
Heifer International - These faith lessons are a 4 session study, and they are divided into age appropriate packages from kindergarten age level through adults.
2. Here are resources that pastors might find useful in terms of gathering information that could be used in a sermon, or for creating a workshop, your own Bible study, or team meeting. In these particular links, you may want to extract what would be helpful for you rather than using the information as it is.
Bread for the World - This link offers a slide presentation about the biblical basis for advocating for hunger action. It focuses on 9 themes, supported with Scripture.
https://www.bread.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Bread-Biblical-Basis.pdf
Duke University Divinity School - This is a good read for pastors.
https://dukedivinity.medium.com/food-insecurity-and-gods-abundance-70d065e3bf3
ECLA Virginia Synod - This is a good read for pastors This link is geared for Virginia data and churches, but we think it has a list of downloads and ideas that could be adapted for an ISC wanting new ideas. The 2 session bible study is a zoom meeting, and it brings up many thoughts and ideas about our stewardship.
https://vasynod.org/resources/world-hunger/
World Renew - This is an organization that is similar to Heifer International, and has a video that provides examples of success in Africa. It could be included as an additional resource without encouraging people to support World Renew instead of OCWM.
If you have questions regarding the Justice and Mission Team, or would like to share some of the activities that you are involved in that address hunger insecurity in our communities, Rev. Lauren Lambert-Goheen, St.Peter’s UCC, Murphysboro is our team’s leader. Please reach out to us so we can all help one another, building community to be better stewards.