Calvin Synod Herald, 1983 (83. évfolyam, 2-4. szám)
1983-08-01 / 4. szám
CALVIN SYNOD HERALD-6 — REFORMÁTUSOK LAPJA Church World Service Launches Appeal Vancouver, British Columbia, August 5. — In the face of a steadily worsening global food crisis, Church World Service the development and relief agency of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., has appealed to its member churches and the U.S. public for the largest response in the organization’s 37-year history. The NCCC’s Church World Service today announced that it’s seeking $6.5 million in cash and donated goods to assist its overseas church partners in overcoming food shortages in severely affected areas of the world, to supplement the efforts U.S. communities are making against hunger at home, and to educate people in the U.S. about the gravity and causes of the crisis. A worldwide string of major natural disasters — floods, droughts, earthquakes — has brought to a crisis point the food shortages in developing countries already struggling, because of the worldwide economic crises and, in many cases, civil warfare, to feed adequately their populations. “The request to Church World Service from our collegue churches in the countries affected by drought, flooding, warfare, are unprecedented and are beyond our current resources, “says Dr.Paul F. McCleary, the United Methodist clergyman who is the executive director of Church World Service. “Therefore, we are making this special appeal at this time to our member churches and to the U.S. public to assist in this grave situation.” The need is perhaps most severe in Africa. Food production and distribution have already been reduced during the past decade by economic and political problems. Now, drought has hit Mozambique (the worst in 50 years), Ghana, Ethiopia (the worst in ten years), and Zimbabwe, among others. In just those four countries, at least 10 million people are affected by the drought and resulting food shortages. Mozambique, Ghana, and Ethiopia alone have requested approximately 605,000 tons of grains and maize to help ease immediate shortages. In Latin America and the Caribbean, the United Nations estimates that about 50 million suffer from malnutrition. The current combination of flood, drought and civil war has only worsened the situation. Peru, Ecuador, Argentina and parts of Brazil have been hit by the most severe floods of the century while other parts of Peru and Brazil suffer from drought. Brazil’s economy staggers under the largest foreign debt of any developing nation and triple-digit inflation. A combination of severe flooding and civil war and political unrest have reduced drastically agriculture and food production in several countries of Central America. The movement of an estimated 1.8 million refugees in that area also disrupts agriculture and food production and distribution. In Asia, where significant progress in food production has been made, even small disruptions in weather patterns can tip the fragile balance and lead quickly to hunger and malnutrition. In India, four out of five southern states have been without substantial rains for five years. In the north, untimely rains in January significantly damaged the wheat crop there so that the country expects food grain production to be 10 million tons below last year’s level. Below-normal rainfall in Pakistan and Bangladesh have seriously affected harvests in those two countries. Since the beginning of 1983, CWS has issued 14 appeals for assistance to churches around the world in their responses to disaster and emergency situations. A number of the projects outlined in those appeals will be included among the projects to be funded by the current appeal. In addition, collegue churches and agencies in Africa and Central and Latin America have already sought more than $1.5 million from CWS before the end of 1983 to help meet food shortages in their countries and more requests are imminent. Church World Service, a unit of the NCCC’s Division of Overseas Ministries, is the development and relief arm of the 31 Protestant, Orthodox and Anglican member communions of the U.S.A.’s largest ecumenical agency. Mothers: HOW ]<eep running smoothly Perhaps mothers should come with a maintenance agreement which provides for a complete overhaul every five years, three kids, or 300,000 miles, whichever comes first. Here are several points which ought to be included: FUEL. While most mothers will run indefinitely on hot coffe, pizza, and hamburgers, an occasional gourmet meal for two in elegant surroundings will add immeasurably to increased efficiency. MOTOR. A mother's motor is probably one of the most dependable anywhere. A mother can start and reach top speed from a prone position at a single cry from a sleeping child. To keep that motor at peak efficiency, regular breaks are recommended. A leisurely bath and nap every 1,000 miles, a babysitter every 10,000 miles, and a two-week, live-in sitter every 100,000 miles will do wonders. BATTERY. Batteries should be recharged regularly. Roses, candy, or other thoughtful and unexpected gifts often do the trick. CARBURETOR. When a mother’s carburetor floods, it should be treated immediately with Kleenex and a soft shoulder. BRAKES. Use brakes often, and slow to a full stop regularly. CHASSIS. A mother operates best when her chassis is properly maintained. Her wardrobe should be changed as needed every fall and spring. Regular exercise should be encouraged and provided for. A complete change of hairdo and makeup should be part of the regular maintenance. When the chassis begins to stag, there are a number of possible remedies, including racquetball and Weight Watchers. TUNE UPS. Mothers need regular tune-ups. Compliments are both the cheapest and most appreciated. By following these simple instructions, the average mother should last a lifetime providing love and caring to those who need her most. Source: “The Bridge" — Portage Faith United Methodist Church. GS 14 Adopts Goals for Giving, Growth and New Church Starts Challenging members to help in extending the UCC's mission and ministry, a General Synod stewardship resolution urges individuals contribute at least 10% of their incomes to the church. Local congregations are asked to give an amount equal to at least 25% of current expenses toward Our Church’s Wider Mission Basic Support. Another resolution adopts "as a mission goal” the development of new churches in the country’s Southern and Western regions and requests UC Board for Homeland Ministries to place “special emphasis” on this effort, while a third asks UCBHM to help conferences and local churches establish membership growth goals. (KYP)
