Off the Shelf, Into the Soul

A quick note from Brenda: As I was dropping off the last of the 10.10.10 food donations yesterday, I was able to spend a few moments with the patrons of Metro CareRing. Mothers, grandfathers, siblings lined the chairs of the front room, waiting their turn to receive the care they were clearly searching for. Volunteers attended to their needs, staff responded to their concerns.

As your donated items were placed on the scale, there were families literally taking food off of the shelves behind me. Their need was immediate, their hunger obvious. The visual of food going out as quickly as it was coming in will remain in my heart. 10.10.10 was a moment in time for us to rally, yet the need is far from over.

It seems right that today happens to be the 20th day of the month, because results of both goals for Hunger Relief Day soared into the twenties. Thanks to your generous spirit, we were able to provide 20,046 pounds of food to Metro CareRing and cut a check for $22,389.05. We cannot say thank you enough for these blessings - twice what we had hoped and prayed for! The first and final verses of Psalm 46 come to mind:

God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear,
though the earth give way 

and the mountains fall
into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam 

and the mountains quake
with their surging.

Twenty-thousand, forty-six pounds of food.
Thank you for helping when the earth seemed to give way,
and the hunger pains could not be ignored.

Twenty-two thousand, three hundred
eighty nine dollars and five cents.
Thank you for giving when the circumstances of life
loomed like mountains, about to fall into the sea.

"Be still, and know that I am God; 

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth."

The LORD Almighty is with us; 

the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Twenty-thousand, forty-six pounds of food.
We give thank to God for letting us be still and
asking Him to walk beside us on this journey.

Twenty-two thousand, three hundred
eighty nine dollars and five cents.
Thank you for fortifying the shelves with food,
and our souls with hope.

Connections

The tenth day. The tenth month. The tenth year.

A wall of food at Bethany Lutheran Church!

As one member observed, "It was neat to watch the food being dropped off. Each bag of food was carefully placed in its own, particular spot, and had to physically touch another bag, as if it didn't want to be alone. There was an energy in those bags - a connection between each giver."

The offering of the jars

Oodles of Noodles

The wall of food, on its way to the Metro CareRing BBQ!
(Who needs to see out the rear-view mirror?!)

There's room for just ONE more bag, right?

Metro CareRing hosted a BBQ on 10.10.10 to celebrate the efforts of the community. We were able to tour the facility, enjoy live music, and meet the many caring volunteers of Metro CareRing.

Lynne Butler, Executive Director of Metro CareRing,
and the head, heart, and soul behind Hunger Relief Day.

Pastor Ron and his wife, Sue Ann, enjoy a
bit of time on the 'dance floor' while local blues
singer Erica Brown and friends entertained.

Bethany members and fervent 10.10.10 supporters Vicky and Larry Daub were featured in the Denver Post on October 11th, and helped serve food the day of the BBQ. (Photo by Judy DeHaas)

Bestselling author and Colorado resident Philip Yancey, his wife, Janet, visit with Pastor Ruth Ann Loughry and Brenda Greenwald at the Metro CareRing BBQ.

We were able to sneak a peek at Yancey's latest book, "What Good is God: In Search of a Faith That Matters", which is being released this week! (Click here for more information about the book and here to visit Philip Yancey's website.)

CHECK it out: $17,800 for Metro CareRing!
Larry, Vicky, Scott, Cathy, Brenda, Pastor Ruth Ann, Sarah, Pastor Ron

Since Sunday, we were able to
thankfully collect and carefully count
the many over-flowing Dollar a Day jars.

We found one-of-a-kind jars...

...jars from Poker Games...

...and hand-made coin slots to get that change inside!

Buried within the many thousands of coins, we found lots of
other treasures, too! Foreign currency, buttons, souvenirs, etc.

In the middle of it all, we discovered a shiny stone
proclaiming the central message of it all: LOVE.


Saturday, 10/16/2010: just 6 days past Hunger Relief Day,
our current totals of overwhelming generosity are:

$20,783 and 19,592 lbs of food!

Our sincerest thanks for all of your prayers,
words of encouragement, donations, and kindness.

Join us this Sunday evening, October 17th, for a Friends of Metro CareRing Concert - all food donations will still be collected and given in honor of 10.10.10!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Friends of Metro CareRing Concert
Sunday, October 17, 2010

A Concert in Support of the
Hungry in our Community

Organist Kathy Singh and other musicians from Bethany and from around the community present a fun-filled concert to reach out and support Metro CareRing and those in need right here in Denver.

5:30 pm - dinner provided by Olive Garden

• Reservation required
• Contact Forrest Guittar at 303-504-2665 or forrest@bethany-denver.org

7:00 pm - concert (admission: non-perishable food item)

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Day 100: Daily Bread

...give us this day, our daily bread...
Matthew 6:11

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A message from Pastor Ron Glusenkamp: I'm so very grateful that our partners have made a promise to give money, to live in new ways and most important of all be joined together in a Metro CareRing of Hope, Action, Love and Grace. This is truly God's Work, Our Hands. So, from the bottom of my heart, I say thank you, God bless you and I love you!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A message from Brenda Greenwald: Back in July of 2010, as we began this 100-day journey together, we asked to you join us in song, facts, images, prayer, food, service, and scripture.

Our goal was that the past 100 days would be informational, that we would learn together the impact of hunger around the world and be more conscientious about what we put in our bodies.

Our hope was that the past 100 days would be intentional, that our actions would be purposeful and that we would seek new ways to renew our commitment to ending hunger and realizing our role was not out of guilt, rather, out of grace.

Our prayer was that the past 100 days would be inspirational, that through mutual encouragement, we could see God's work was indeed alive through our hands!

Hunger Relief Community, while striving to provide these things for you, you have in turn gifted these things upon me! I have been blessed beyond measure by this journey and will sincerely miss the daily devotion of reaching out to you through images and text. I know our connection does not end here, however, as we've all been touched by the Holy Spirit's amazing ability to bless and inspire us to go out and serve the Lord! Thanks be to God!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Day 100. Dollar 100. Make us worthy, Lord, to serve our fellow human beings throughout the world who live and die in poverty and hunger. Give them through our hands this daily bread, and by our understanding love, give peace and joy. Amen. (ELW, additional prayers, Mother Teresa)

Day 99: Baptismal Reflections

Reflecting back upon the last 100 days brings to mind the parallel journey our Confirmation students will celebrate this coming Sunday morning. Each experience has been washed in the waters of the Holy Spirit and has helped build upon the foundation of a life lived in faith.

At it's core, Hunger Relief Day has been a baptismal journey to remember the mark of Christ, set upon our heads. This has been a chance to physically recall the marking of that cross as we helped our neighbors bear theirs.

In it's mind, Hunger Relief Day has been a baptismal journey to remind us that we have been claimed and gathered and sent for the sake of the world. As we have nourished the children in their community of faith, we have nourished one another and those struggling with hunger by gathering and providing the food they need to survive and thrive.

In it's heart, Hunger Relief Day has been a baptismal journey to let our light shine on those who perhaps thought their light was dimming or had gone out. Providing that light for others in the form of beans, grains, rice, monetary gifts, time, love, and prayer has brought about a rekindling in the light of our own hearts.

In it's soul, Hunger Relief Day has been a baptismal journey of awareness and appreciation for the gifts of the Holy Spirit:

• the spirit of wisdom and understanding (contemplating our relationship to the created world and moving that faith forward),
  
• the spirit of counsel and might (standing up in action, and finding the strength to follow through),
  
• the spirit of knowledge and fear of the Lord (using the lens of God to act in the world while always recalling His grace), and
  
• the spirit of joy in God's presence (God's joy is reflected and shared through us).

Day 99. Dollar 99. Our reflections will continue well past Day 100. The message we will celebrate and affirm upon our Confirmation students tomorrow is the same message we extend to those in the hunger community: We pray to God that He might enlighten you with the gifts of His Spirit, nourish you in the community of faith, uphold you in the gifts and promises of baptism, and unite the hearts of all whom you have brought to new birth. We ask this in the name of Christ, Amen.

Delightful Details

The day has finally arrived!
Here are the details of the exciting
events involving 10.10.10!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Sunday, October 10, 2010
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

FOOD: Please place any food donations along the glass wall facing the courtyard. There is already a large pile of food there, so you won't have trouble finding it.



JARS: Thank you again for your commitment to a Dollar a Day! Please place your full jars up on the floor, in front of the altar.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

8:00 am - Worship
9:00 am - Worship
10:30 am - Worship: the Affirmation of Baptism of our Confirmation Students (special music: Jonathan Rundman)

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

12:00 - 2:00 pm - Metro CareRing Hunger Blues BBQ

• Admission: 10 lbs of food and/or $10
• Location: MetroCareRing: 1100 E. 18th Ave., Denver, CO 80218, 303-860-7200
• Parking options: street parking on adjacent streets
(17th Ave., Marion St., Downing St., Ogden St.); St. Joseph Hospital Lot F South (on the west side of Lafayette St. between 18th and 19th)
• Current Pantry Needs: Hearty Soup, Canned Meat, Canned Fruit, Canned Tomatoes, Pasta Sauce, Peanut Butter, Cash (for every $1 donated, MCR can turn it into $4)

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

7:00 pm - Folk/Blues Concert by Marty Johnson in support of Metro CareRing. Visiting from China, Marty will hold a Folk/Blues concert in the Bethany choir room/lecture hall. Admission: non-perishable food item.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

u p c o m i n g - e v e n t s

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Sunday, October 17th, 2010

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Friends of Metro CareRing Concert
A Concert in Support of the Needy in our Community

Organist Kathy Singh and other musicians from Bethany and from around the community present a fun-filled concert to reach out and support Metro CareRing and those in need right here in Denver.

5:30 pm - dinner provided by Olive Garden

• Reservation required
• Contact Forrest Guittar at 303-504-2665 or forrest@bethany-denver.org

7:00 pm - concert (admission: non-perishable food item)

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Day 98: Sweet

How sweet are your words to my taste,
sweeter than honey to my mouth!
Psalm 119:103

Honey is a 100% pure and natural sweetener made and stored in honeycombs by the honey bees. Nearly one million tons of honey is produced worldwide every year.

Eat honey, my son, for it is good;
honey from the comb is sweet to your taste.
Proverbs 24:13

The 3 key health benefits of honey: (1) honey is nature’s energy booster, (2) honey is a great immunity system builder, (3) honey is a natural remedy for many ailments.

Pleasant words are a honeycomb,
sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
Proverbs 16:24

Honey is a rich source of carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. Full of antioxidants, honey is fat-free, cholesterol-free, and sodium-free. (Source: Honey Facts)

For an extra-sweet treat, click here to watch and listen
to "Sweet Hour of Prayer" (instrumental version).

Day 98. Dollar 98. Sweet hour of prayer, sweet hour of prayer, thy wings shall my petition bear. To Him whose truth and faithfulness engage the waiting soul to bless. And since He bids me seek His face, believe His Word and trust His grace. I’ll cast on Him my every care, and wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!

Day 97: Ring of Care

Just as the Holy Spirit has been working through each member of the Hunger Relief Community over these last 100 days, the Holy Spirit has been busy feeding and guiding the members of Metro CareRing for nearly 40 years.

Today, we give thanks for these dedicated employees, volunteers, and caregivers who strive to meet basic human needs, promote self-sufficiency, and advocate for social change right here in our own community. The tireless efforts and genuine care of Metro CareRing has given us new understandings into what it looks and feels like to truly be hungry, and their tangible example of feeding one's neighbors will live within us, well beyond the 100th day.

Formed with Care: Metro CareRing is a non-profit organization, offering food and personal items, utility payments, transportation assistance, and identification documentation. Utilizing over 150 regular volunteers and eight staff members, Metro CareRing serves over 119,000 individuals each year. Metro CareRing strives to create a "ring of care" around the people in the community most needing emergency assistance.

Rooted in Care: Metro CareRing was initiated in 1974 by five downtown Denver churches to offer a comprehensive response to people in need. Thirty-six years later, partnerships and funding sources include foundations, businesses, faith communities, agencies, schools and individuals.

Serving with Care: About one third of the households receiving services at Metro CareRing are considered “working poor”: they are working, but do not earn enough to meet their basic needs. Over one third is on fixed incomes, and while their incomes never change, the cost of living in Denver continues to rise.

Other clients have experienced a financial setback, such as unemployment, loss of a family member, or medical emergency. Many have physical or mental disabilities and cannot work. Most have little or no money for food, clothing, child or health care, or transportation.

Providing Care: Metro CareRing provides bags of food, toiletries and work-related resources to meet immediate needs. They also provide a listening ear and short-term solutions to current situations. Educating and mobilizing the community to affect long-term solutions to hunger, poverty and homelessness is also a goal.

Day 97. Dollar 97. God of unity and peace, you give each of us grace through the gift of Christ. We give you thanks for associates in ministry, especially Metro CareRing, through whom your people are equipped for the work of ministry and for building up the body of Christ. With your Holy Spirit empower your servants in their calling, so that together we come to the unity of the faith and to the measure of the full stature of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen. (Additional prayers, ELW)

Day 96: Feed My Lambs

Day 96. Dollar 96.
Hunger.

The Angel of Gratitude

~ g r a t i t u d e ~

the quality of being thankful;

readiness to show appreciation for

and to return kindness

A true attitude of gratitude: Bethany member Delia Stewart recently crafted this beautiful metal angel, appropriately titled "Gratitude". This angel is currently being auctioned off on eBay, with all proceeds being donated to Metro CareRing's Hunger Relief Day: 10.10.10. WOW!

Bids for this 22-inch angel made out of welded metal begin at just $50, and will continue until 10:10 am EST on 10.10.10. For every $1 that is donated, Metro CareRing can turn it into $4 worth of assistance! Imagine the kindness that could be returned!

Click here to place your bid today!

"The ship of my life may or may not be sailing on calm and amiable seas. The challenging days of my existence may or may not be bright and promising. Stormy or sunny days, glorious or lonely nights, I maintain an attitude of gratitude. If I insist on being pessimistic, there is always tomorrow. Today I am blessed."

Maya Angelou

Grace and Peace

Grace to you and peace from God our Father
and the Lord Jesus Christ.

1 in 8 Americans are still struggling with hunger.

Every 6 seconds a child dies from hunger.

Metro CareRing alleviates hunger
by providing food to the hungry.

Last year, MCR gave away 1.7 million pounds of food
to more than 68,000 hungry adults and children.

Providing a meal and hope.

We called you to serve,
we called you to act,
we called you to give.

YOU are helping us end hunger.

YOU are helping us meet our goal of
$100,000 and 100,000 lbs of food.

YOU have committed to ending hunger.

YOU have joined us in the fight.


Hunger Relief Day: October 10, 2010