Worshipping and Serving

Canadian Lutheran World Relief

Partnership:

Burundi, Ethiopia and South Sudan

Conflict and climatic events have contributed to an escalating hunger crisis in these countries, where hunger is having a devasting impact on families, and vunerable people are forced into negative coping strategies.

  Women and girls have been particularly disadvantaged. Having already faced discrimination and gender-based violence, female-headed households run an even greater risk of food insecurity.

  Thanks to your fast and generous reponse, and with the matching fund made possible by our partnership with the Candian Foodgrains Bank, we have already been able to take critical measures to help those most at risk of hunger.

  In South Sudan, immediate food assistance is helping protect the most vulnerable from famine.

  In Ethiopa, we will be working to help improve farming practices and to encourage climate resilience and sustainability among beneficiaries.

  In Burundi, we are supporting Farmer Field Schools and Farmer Cooperatives, contributing to better food security form communities and encouraging sustainable practices to help families.

  You can make a donation by marking ‘CLWR’ on a line of your offering envelope, or by visiting www.clwr.org .

KAIROS Times

KAIROS is the name of the Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives organization. Our national church is a founding partner. News is available at www.kairoscanada.org

 A Prayer Action from Northwestern Ontario and Manitoba KAIROS

Northwestern Ontario Manitoba KAIROS, part of our national inter-church social justice coalition, extends its support to the growing crisis faced by front line services and offers the following prayer opportunity to the faith community.  The prayer is a call to action in response to the devastating impacts of lack of housing and resources, staff shortages dealing with homelessness and addictions, and mental health issues. Pastor Matthew is a member of this regional council.

  Creator God, source of life, as we reflect on the state of emergency in our communities, with so many suffering from addictions, we acknowledge that our hearts are heavy. 

 We raise up the struggles of those with lived experience of generational trauma, disability, and mental health challenges, and who struggle with the impacts of poverty, toxic drugs, and lack of mental health support. 

  We raise the exhaustion and burn out felt by those community helpers who work in difficult and under-resourced services to respond to the crises. 

 We see the effects of colonization and government policies which seem to work against advancement for Indigenous people and vulnerable populations. We pray we may each do whatever we can to support those in need and those who provide aid. 

  We see the hardships communities face as they are struggling to coexist with these social challenges and pray that our leaders will respond with effective plans and resources to ensure that all of our community is safe, sheltered and nourished.  Amen.

Suggested Actions:

• Donate funds and items requested by service agencies.

• Stop by drop in sites to listen to the stories shared there.

• Approach a coffee shop or restaurant close to where people may be without food, prepay for meals, and ask the restaurant to offer them to those who need them.

• Collect a donation to provide to a service agency for those costs which cannot be covered by existing assistance programs.

• Contact your Councillor, MLA, and MP to express concern and encourage response Remind them of the TRC Calls to action.