Expanding the Circle of Protection

This annual gathering will include discussion of both local and national food and hunger issues and tools for advocacy with our elected members of Congress.

There will be time for conversation with special guest Congressman Charles Dent (invited).

Keynote Speaker: Tony Sundermeier Tony Sundermeier is Pastor and Head of Staff at First Presbyterian Church, Allentown. "I grew up Roman Catholic, went to an evangelical college; attended a progressive mainline seminary; and did my doctorate at a non-denominational missional seminary," Tony says. "I am so thankful for the diverse communities that have shaped me to be a more faithful follower of Jesus." Before coming to First Presbyterian in September 2009, he was Associate Pastor for Preaching and Outreach at Westminster Presbyterian Church in West Chester, Pennsylvania (2003-2009). Prior to that, he served as Seminary Intern at First Presbyterian Church of Moorestown, New Jersey ... [more]

Plenary Presentation: "Expanding the Circle of Protection" with Larry Hollar Larry Hollar is Senior Regional Organizer with Bread for the World. He is also an ordained Presbyterian elder, a professional Biblical storyteller, church musician and liturgist. Before coming to Bread for the World's staff in 1985, Mr. Hollar spent a dozen years in government legal positions in Washington, serving as staff counsel to the Committee on Banking, Finance and Urban Affairs of the U.S. House of Representatives, and as special assistant to the General Counsel and staff attorney with the U.S. Department of Transportation.... [more]

The 2012 Offering of Letters campaign will address specific legislative topics that will come before Congress in 2012: nutrition, poverty-focused development assistance, tax policy, and food aid.

See www.bread.org/go/OL2012 for more details about the Offering of Letters. For additional background reading on the issues, view or download the BFW report: Hunger 2012: Rebalancing Act: Updating U.S. Food and Farm Policies [194 pages,with study guide.]

The April 21st workshop will offer materials, key information, and creative learning experiences to equip you to organize an Offering of Letters in your church, campus, or group.

The program will also include presentations on local food and hunger issues, and workshops on advocacy skills.

Workshop topics (in two breakout sessions) will include: Food Aid & Development Assistance Getting Healthy Food to Kids The 2012 Farm Bill Tax Policy - U.S. and Pennsylvania Pennsylvania Public Policy: Impact of PA Budget Cuts and SNAP Assets Test Dealing with "Push-Back" and Negative View of Government Food, Nutrition, and the Cost of Health Care "How-To" workshop: Public Policy Advocacy 101 Offering of Letters Working with Media Letter-Writing Basics ...

Continental breakfast and lunch are included. (Suggested donation: $5, Students/Low Income: free)

Please pre-register by April 18: Register on-line here or by phone: 610-433-6421.

Sponsored by Bread for the World and Lehigh County Conference of Churches (Justice and Advocacy Comm.), and Second Harvest. For further information, contact the LCCC office at 610-433-6421; or Bob Walden ja-bfw@ppjr.org.