Bread for the World Offering of Letters – An Invitation from Paul Manganiello

Posted on by Our Savior Lutheran Church and Campus Ministry

On Sunday, March 3, 2024, Paul Manganiello spoke during worship and invited participation in this year’s Bread for the World Offering of Letters.

Sunday was the kick-off of our annual Bread for the World (BFW) Offering of Letters (OofL)! OSLC is a Covenant Church with BFW, an ecumenical advocacy movement founded by the New York City Lutheran pastor Art Simon in the 70’s. This year’s OofL relates to the Federal Farm Bill.

The Farm Bill is usually re-authorized every 5 years. It was to be finalized in 2023, but a new Bill has not been formally enacted, so the 2018 Bill is being extended until an updated Bill is completed. The Farm Bill impacts every one of us in the US, anyone who sells, buys, or eats food. It also impacts those facing hunger internationally.

The Farm Bill covers specific areas of interest called chapters. The 4 major chapters include: 1st nutrition, 2nd crop insurance, 3rd commodities, and 4th conservation.

80% of the projected budget spending involves nutritional programs such as: SNAP (the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program); the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program; The Senior’s Farmer’s Market Nutritional Programs; The Community Food Projects; and the Gus Schumacker Nutritional Program (GusNIP).

SNAP supplies nutritional assistance to millions of Americans serving more than 40M individuals. It is the most effective tool to reduce hunger insecurity; GusNIP enhances SNAP providing benefits to purchase fruits and vegetables.

BFW is advocating for measures that will not only enhance nutrition but also assure equity and sustainability in the US and around the world.

Usually, we hold our Offering of Letters after the Easter Season, but this year we were encouraged to do it sooner. Lent is really a perfect opportunity to advocate for those who may not be able to advocate for themselves. All too often the season of lent becomes a “self-improvement project” giving up chocolate, alcohol, or some other vice. We might want to reconsider, rather than taking a negative approach, doing something positive for someone else. The simple act of writing to our elected officials, encouraging them to bring about public policy to enhance a sustainable, equitable Farm Bill will benefit all of us.

Because of delays in mail getting to our legislators, due to security screening, they are suggesting that they be sent electronically. All the information can be found here.

Also, please email me or Wendy when you have sent your letters so we can contact the national BFW office in DC.

Paul Manganiello

Opportunities to Put Your Faith in Action

Posted on by Our Savior Lutheran Church and Campus Ministry

Sign up to Volunteer at Cover – Outdoor Projects Every Week!  The COVER Home Repair program relies on the participation of community volunteers like you. By lending a hand with home improvement projects, you can help greatly improve the quality of life for local families, the elderly, and the mobility challenged.  It’s a great opportunity to learn new skills.  View volunteer opportunities and sign up here!

Advocate for Others: As members of the ELCA, we believe that we are freed in Christ to serve and love our neighbor. God uses our hands, through our direct service work and our voices, through our advocacy efforts, to restore and reconcile our world. Through faithful advocacy, the ELCA lives out our Lutheran belief that governments can help advance the common good. Get involved by visiting the ELCA Advocacy Action Center.

Knit or Crochet Hats for Seafarers International House: Are you looking for a knit or crochet project that will touch the lives of a seafarer or immigrant? Here is a tangible way to show Christ’s love to someone. Seafarers International House (SIH) is the Lutheran response to the urgent needs of vulnerable seafarers and immigrants. This is the year of SIH’s 150th anniversary, celebrating fifteen decades of uninterrupted services to over 2 million seafarers and immigrants in New York City and beyond! SIH is not a place, but rather a service to people on the way. Learn more here.  Chaplain Ruth Setaro at SIH when emailed about the need for knitted hats, wrote: “YES, YES, YES we love to get knitted hats. I actually give them out all year as even in the summer it can get cold out on the sea.”  Use a pattern from their SIH website or a favorite pattern such as the 1898 Hat. Use any yarn or color (but preferrably not pink). Wendy Manganiello will collect the finished hats periodically and mail them to SIH. Contact Wendy or the church office if you have any questions.

Donate Items for the Food Shelf at the Upper Valley Haven:  You can learn more about the Haven here.  You may bring donations directly to the Haven or bring them to worship on Sunday and we’ll make sure they get there. Pick up a printed list of food shelf needs at church, or view it below.


2023 Bread for the World Offering of Letters

Posted on by Our Savior Lutheran Church and Campus Ministry

Below is the text of a talk delivered by Paul Manganiello during worship on May 14, 2023. Visit bread.org/farmbill to start the BFW electronic letter which you can personalize. It is simple and quick. When you do contact your legislators, please let Paul Manganiello, Wendy Manganiello, or the church office know so that we can contact BFW’s Washington office. 

Good morning! For our visitors and new members, my name is Paul Manganiello, I am a member of OSLC and am on the Social Ministry Committee. Welcome to our annual Bread for the World (BFW) Offering of letters! OSLC is a Covenant Church with BFW, an ecumenical advocacy movement founded by the New York City Lutheran pastor Art Simon in the 70’s.  

In working for social justice, religious communities need to not only encourage personal acts of charity such as volunteering or financially supporting our non-profit charitable organizations but also work for justice to address the root causes which perpetuate generational poverty, such as the wealth gap; inadequate educational opportunities and job skills; unsafe “ghettoized” communities; etc. 

BFW helps us to speak up and speak out to support those who suffer from systemic poverty. 

Continue reading 2023 Bread for the World Offering of Letters

Amnesty International Write for Rights 2022

Posted on by Our Savior Lutheran Church and Campus Ministry

Write for Rights is Amnesty International’s largest annual Human Rights campaign, held throughout December to mark International Human Rights Day on December 10th.   During this season of Advent and throughout the year, many people wait in despair and without hope, often unjustly imprisoned.  These people are Prisoners of Conscience.  Jesus was a Prisoner of Conscience as he so often spoke out for Human Rights.  As people of God, we have an opportunity and a responsibility to be a voice for those who have no voice by writing letters on their behalf.  Through the power of collective action, these letters convince government officials to free people unjustly imprisoned and to end other abuses.   For the past 12 years, during the Advent Season, our Social Ministry Committee has sponsored a letter-writing campaign for members of the congregation to write letters on behalf of, and personally to prisoners of conscience.   These are letters of mercy (solidarity to the individual) and justice (to government officials for the release of the person).

To those who picked up a packet, thank you!  Wendy Manganiello will have more letter packets to share on Sunday, December 11.  If you have questions or would like copies, please contact Wendy. 

Thank you for taking your time during Advent to write and send these letters.  They do make a difference!

2022 Bread for the World Offering of Letters

Posted on by Our Savior Lutheran Church and Campus Ministry

As Christians, we are called to seek justice, care for those experiencing hunger and poverty, and embrace our Creator’s vision of hope, love, and peace. We are called to embody it in public as we commit to live in solidarity with those who are made vulnerable by the inequities that drive hunger and poverty in the United States and around the world.

Letters are a strong witness of community concerns and personal testimonies. Over the years, letters and emails from congregations, campuses, and community groups have helped inspire our leaders in Washington, D.C., to pass legislative victories that reduce hunger in the U.S. and around the world.

This year, Bread for the World is asking for your help urging legislators to permanently expand the Child Tax Credit (CTC). Expanding the CTC permanently would do more to reduce hunger and poverty among our nation’s children than any single policy has in decades.

Here’s how you can make a difference:

  1. Read this fact sheet to learn about the impact of the Child Tax Credit.
  2. Watch the brief video below from Bread for World.
  3. Act – click here to take action by emailing your members of Congress to help end hunger today! If you prefer to handwrite your letter, you can find a sample letter here and addresses here. Bring your written letters to church and we’ll offer them in worship on Sunday, May 29th before mailing them.
  4. Contact Paul or Wendy Manganiello, OSLC’s Offering of Letter organizers, to let them know you’ve submitted your letter.

Bread for the World Offering of Letters

Posted on by Our Savior Lutheran Church and Campus Ministry

As people of faith, we know that we are called to care for one another. We are called to speak out for all those in need, especially our children. What is critically needed now is our unified voice assuring that people receive the help they desperately need now. By participating in this year’s Bread for the World (BFW) Offering of Letters you will make a difference, not just to Bread for the World, but to those who experience hunger and poverty. 

Continue reading Bread for the World Offering of Letters