American Methodist leaders are well represented among the endorsers of an unprecedented Interfaith Convocation on Hunger scheduled for Washington, DC on Monday, June 6. The objective is to show the broad religious support for anti-poverty measures in the United States and beyond.
[The Convocation on Monday night, June 6, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. will be webcast at http://www.bread.org/nationalgathering/2005/convocation.htm].

The convocation is part of a five-day larger event, "One Table, Many Voices: A Mobilization to Overcome Poverty and Hunger," sponsored by Bread for the World, an organization concerned with education and public policy on poverty issues. The full schedule of the event is available online at http://www.onetableconference.org/schedule.html.

Dr. Janice Love, head of the Women’s Division of the global ministries’ agency, is also involved in the convocation, as is James Winker, chief executive of the United Methodist General Board of Church and Society. The event will take place at the National Cathedral (Episcopal).

Other Methodist leaders expected to take part are Senior Bishop Phillip Cousins of the African Methodist Episcopal Church and Senior Bishop George Walker of the African Methodist Episcopal Church Zion.

The convocation begins at 7:00 p.m. on Monday night and will include worship and a sermon by Anglican Archbishop Njongonkulu Ndungane of Cape Town, South Africa.

Endorsers and participants include the full range of religion in the United States, Protestant of many denominations, Roman Catholics, Jews, and Muslims.

Activities related to the mobilization against poverty and hunger gets underway on the night on June 2, with number activities taking place at United Methodist-related American University. A rally against hunger and visits with members of Congress are set for Tuesday, June 7, which is Hunger Awareness Day. Visitors will be asking Congress to increase the commitment of the United States to anti-poverty and anti-hunger measures.

“The General Board of Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church has first-hand experience of the effects of hunger from our work in more than 100 countries and in many parts of the United States of America,” Rev. Day said. “The removal of the root causes of hunger is as important to us as is the alleviation of acute hunger….I hope that the Convocation will lead to increased cooperation among the world's faith communities in a task we all must share if we are to achieve a healthier and more just and peaceful future for all people."

Speaking of widespread hunger, Dr. Love of the Women’s Division said: ” Where is our shock? Where is our shame? Christians believe, as stated by Women's Division of The United Methodist Church, that ‘It is God's will that all people share in the feast of God.’ Yet we deny this conviction every hour and every day that we allow children to suffer and die from malnutrition and hunger, especially since we know very practical ways and realistically attainable policies for abolishing this atrocity.”

	See Also... Topic: Christian love |  Communities |  Ecumenical |  Human rights |  Hunger |  Poverty |  United Methodist Church |  Methodism |  Geographic Region: North Eastern U.S. |  United States |  World |  Source: GBGM Press Releases
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Date posted: May 26, 2005