Church Action Guide

Beginning to think about food choices in the context of faith can be very overwhelming.  There are so many potential resources and starting points-where do we possibly begin?  Below are some suggestions and resources for working within your congregation.  Check them out and choose one that resonates with your resources and passions...then see where it takes you!

1. Observe World Hunger Sunday.  The Christian Reformed World Relief Committee offers tons of resources for helping your church pray and act on behalf of those around the world who don't have enough to eat. Pre-order resources from Faith Alive now for shipping in August.
2. Organize your congregation to fellowship with fair trade coffee.  Brewing only fair trade certified coffee ensures that the coffee farmer received a just wage for his or her labor.  Did you know the Christian Reformed  Office of Social Justice has its own fair trade coffee blend called Brew Justice?
3. Host Local Harvest potlucks.  Eating together is a wonderful way to build community with each other.  Think about how the potlucks your church hosts can also build community with local food producers by challenging participants to include at least one locally grown item in their dishes.
4. Sponsor a film showing and discussion.  There are an increasing number of documentary films that explore food issues in North America and beyond.  Consider starting with King Corn.  Also recommended: Global Banquet: The Politics of Food, which is broken up into two 28-minute segments with a discussion guide, which is perfect for an adult education time.
5. Form a book group.  Another good idea for adult education or even Sunday school with high school students is to read a book about food issues together and discuss the relationship between food choices and faith.  You might start with a collection of food and faith essays like Eat Well or with Barbara Kingsolver's Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, which is the story of a family's odyssey to eat as locally as possible.
6. Start a community garden at your church.  Many churches have extra land surrounding the building.  A community garden is a great way to be good stewards of church property and invite neighbors to gather together outdoors in warmer months.  For an example, check out the community garden club at Seymour Christian Reformed Church.
7. Involve the kids!  Food is something kids can grow, touch and taste, making it a great learning tool for demonstrating creation care, justice, creativity, vocation and more.  Grow a garden together.  Visit a local farm.  Cook a recipe from scratch.  Discuss food as part of a creation care curriculum.

Share more ideas below!