FIGHT AGAINST FAMINE
This is a matter worthy of our focused attention
Two years ago, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, in its national convention meeting in Minneapolis, approved the ordination of lesbians and gays who were in a same-sex committed relationship.
The media and some other large church bodies were highly critical. The "fuss" has since died down to some extent.
In my opinion, a much larger matter exists for all national denominations and also other religious faiths. I am referring to the worst famine in five decades sweeping over the Horn of Africa and threatening to kill hundreds of thousands.
People have said that we can't really help so many. Others raise questions about the terrorists in Somalia who are stealing gifts and trying to stop aid.
Minneapolis has the largest group of Somali immigrants in the United States, and one of its own is being held on charges connected to the terrorists in his home country.
Those who steal or use terror have to be punished, but we must not and should not use it as an excuse not to aid the children who are dying and who are just as precious in God's sight as our own.
The bishop of the ELCA has sent a letter to every rostered pastor to urge them to get their congregations to help in the huge effort to fight this famine. The Lutheran World Federation (most Lutheran denominations in the world belong to this) are responsible for opening the refugee camps in Kenya that are already serving thousands.
Churches cannot begin to do everything. All of God's people need to work and "push" -- not only their own denominations and congregations, but also the United Nations and our own nation -- to do God's work.