United Methodists to Join First Interfaith Convocation on Hunger

On 6th June 2005, for the very first time in U.S. religious history, a significant Interfaith Convocation on Hunger will take place with fewer than 40 religious leaders expected to gather at Washington's National Cathedral.

According to the president of Bread for the World, Reverend David Beckmann, the leaders joining 'hunger lobby day', a part of National Hunger Awareness Day on 7th June, which includes numerous events around the country, will represent more than 100 million Americans.

Before the convocation, readings from the sacred texts, music and preaching by Archbishop of Cape Town, Njongonku lu Ndungane will take place, and the conference 'One Table, Many Voices: A Mobilisation to Overcome Poverty and Hunger' will be held.

About a thousand people are expected to visit members of Congress and their staff afterwards, to talk about issues affecting starving people. It will focus on the Hunger-Free Communities Act from year 2005, designed to increase federal grant funding for community groups working to overcome hunger and cut it by 50% by 2010, and completely by 2015.

Also the gathering of more data on food insecurity is required, particularly at the state and local levels, to better target resources to those in need as well as raising awareness about the solvable problem of world hunger.

From the United Methodist leaders and chief executives, Jan Love - Women's Division, Board of Global Ministries, the Rev. Robert Edgar – National Council of Churches and the Rev. John McCullough – Church World Service as well as Jim Winkler of the denomination's Board of Church and Society, are all preparing to participate on this fight against hunger.

The Rev. R. Randy Day – Board of Global Ministries, considers the convocation a significant event and expressed that, "Hunger is one of the great barriers to health and justice in the world today, food security is often the first step towards peace within and between nations."