World Hunger Sunday Resources Available

The Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (CRWRC) has made available a range of resources for churches to learn more about world hunger, to pray for the world’s hungry, and to participate in CRWRC’s 2011 World Hunger Campaign.

For nearly five decades, CRWRC has encouraged Christian Reformed Church members and congregations to join in the cause of alleviating global hunger. CRWRC is the disaster relief and development agency of the CRC.

The World Hunger Campaign usually happens during the weeks leading up to World Hunger Sunday, designated by the Christian Reformed Church Synod to be the first Sunday in November.

Although CRWRC is providing materials for World Hunger Sunday on Nov. 6, the resources can be used throughout the year.

This year’s theme is “A Feast Fit for a King.”

"When Jesus, our King, was on earth, he often showed that his royalty was not about wealth. He cared for all people – rich and poor, and often dined with others at meals that were simple . . . making sure that all were welcome, included, and satisfied," says CRWRC World Hunger Sunday promotional material.

Jesus cared enough about the rich to challenge them, the material says.

"He cared enough about the poor to empower them. These two different ways of caring were how Jesus invited all to the same feast . . . As heirs to God’s kingdom, we are challenged to shape our lives to be like Jesus Christ."

As churches participate in this year’s World Hunger campaign, they are asked to think creatively about alleviating hunger. Meanwhile, CRWRC would like to know which churches are supporting World Hunger Sunday this year, and also give them the chance to ask any questions that they may have about the campaign. Sign Up.

World Hunger Resources include:

• A Devotional Booklet containing stories about people in Malawi, India, Cambodia, Mozambique, Uganda, and other places. Each story tells of challenges posed by poverty and hunger. Each tells of courageous new beginnings. The devotionals also challenge people to allow the Holy Spirit to change them in response to what they read. Preview | Order.
• A Leader’s Guide containing resources to help explain the World Hunger Campaign to congregations. The guide also contains a sample litany, two children’s sermons, a sample sermon, and song suggestions for a worship service. Bulletin announcements and deacon’s hints are also included. Preview | Order
• Bulletin inserts or bulletin covers can be ordered free of charge and distributed to members of congregations on World Hunger Sunday. Each contains the “Feast Fit For a King” artwork and text to encourage people to join the campaign. Posters are also available free of charge to hang in a church or school to promote the campaign. Preview Insert | Order Insert | Preview Cover | Order Cover
• A three-minute PowerPoint presentation that can be shown during a church offering on World Hunger Sunday, or to promote the campaign at another time.

As in other years, CRWRC encourages people to use orange Peter Fish Banks as part of their campaign. The banks are to be filled with money, gathered in a variety of ways, to donate to the cause of alleviating world hunger. If a congregation already has banks, they can re-use them. If additional banks are needed, or a church would like to order them for the first time, they are available free. Order