Every year, around the beginning of September, the ELCA participates in an event called “God’s Work – Our Hands”. During this time, congregations across the ELCA are encouraged to be out in our communities to serve our neighbors. This year, Salem will be partnering with other congregations in the Southern Valley Conference to help in feeding the hungry through an agency called Rise against Hunger.

What we’ll be doing: Gathered together with other area Lutheran churches, we will be preparing approximately 10,000 dehydrated meals that will then be distributed to places in the world for much needed nourishment. This will be done in an “assembly line” fashion.

Who can participate: From children to senior adults, everyone can play an important role. We’ll need at least 40-50 volunteers.

Where this will happen: We’ll gather at Grace Lutheran in Waynesboro

When this will happen: Saturday, September 16th (exact time TBD)

Salem’s Congregational Council has committed that we will support this ministry financially with at least $500. You will have opportunities to give toward this project through special offerings in August. I hope that Salem can be represented with at least 10 volunteers on that day.

This year, as we celebrate the 500th year of the Reformation, projects like these where we can do something in the world that is truly helpful, reminds us that we are not called to just talk about GRACE, but to live it.

Peace,
P Derek