Hunger Conferences Marks First for Churches
Episcopal News Service. October 27, 1983 [83191]
WASHINGTON, (DPS, Oct 27) -- Eighty three diocesan coordinators from the Episcopal Church's Hunger Network, representing 61 dioceses, met here Oct 3-6. This event, the first to assemble all diocesan hunger coordinators in one place, was made possible by a training grant from the Coalition for Human Needs. It was also the first time any denomination had brought its key hunger network people together.
In his opening address, the Rev. Arthur Simon, executive director of Bread for the World, stressed the importance of the church's involvement in development as a key to solving world hunger. He stressed, too, the role of the church in influencing public policy relating the hunger and drew attention to the competition between security and developmental assistance for foreign aid dollars. Other speakers who led workshops were Nancy Amidei, executive director of Food Research and Action Center, Dr. Robert McCan of the Churches' Center for Theology and Public Policy, and Ferd Hoefner of the Interreligious Taskforce on U.S. Food Policy.
The role of the hunger network in developing and implementing the Episcopal Church's social policy was explored in a panel discussion the featured Mrs. Nancy Deppen, information and resource coordinator for the Public Policy Network; Dr. David Crean, staff officer for Hunger; the Rev. Dr. William Weiler, Washington staff officer; Ms. Joyce Walker, deputy to General Convention; and the Rev. John Lathrop of the National Hunger Committee. The participants were challenged, in a speech by the Rev. Charles Cesaretti, public issues officer, to emulate the example of St. Peter who, by keeping his eyes fixed on Jesus, was able to walk on water.
After a briefing on significant legislative issues by Ellen Nissenbaum of the Interreligious Taskforce on U.S. Food Policy and Barbara Howell of Bread for the World, the participants were able to visit with legislators and to convey to them the Church's concern for the poor and hungry and to share with them what the Episcopal Church was doing in this area. Several people were surprised by the apparent willingness to allow the church to care for the poor and hungry with little or no help. However, many saw more positive signs emerging of a heightened concern in Congress for these problems. Mrs. Betsy Rollins, a member of the President's Task Force on Food Assistance, met briefly with the participants to share the goals and the work of this Task Force and invite the participation of the entire Episcopal hunger Network.
Asked to comment on the gathering, Crean said that it had fulfilled its main objectives. "I think that those who were able to come got a great sense of the national scope of the Episcopal Church's hunger effort. I also feel that they now realize their roles both in implementing the Episcopal Church's social policy and in acting as advocates for the poor and hungry who have no voice and less power in the decision making process which affects their lives."