In the US as a whole, 1 in 4 (27.5%) of households with children were food insecure and almost 14% of adults in the US said in 2020 that there was often not enough to eat (US Census Bureau). More than a third of US adults have trouble paying bills and on average owe thousands of dollars on back rent. ELCA World Hunger is helping congregations across the country to address food insecurity as described below. Please consider making a gift to the Synod’s 40-40-40 Lenten Hunger Appeal which supports ELCA World Hunger.

ELCA Response to Hunger and Food Insecurity in the US

ELCA World Hunger (https://www.elca.org/hunger) has awarded Domestic Hunger Grants across 63 Synods

ELCA World Hunger Domestic Grants in 2021, ELCA World Hunger Domestic Hunger Grants, and Big Dream Grants accompany congregations and their partners throughout the United States and Caribbean as they draw on the strengths of communities to address local issues such as food security, housing, job readiness, clean water, human rights, policy change, leadership development and more. Together, these ministries are part of a comprehensive approach to breaking the cycle of poverty and hunger – for good. ELCA World Hunger gives thanks for the 168 ministries that will be receiving $1,241,095 in ELCA World Hunger domestic grants in 2021.

53 ministries across this church have been awarded 2021 Domestic Hunger Grants for a total 3- year (2021-2023) investment of $900,000 with an average 3-year award of $16,981 per ministry. [Note: This includes 3 Southeastern Synod ministries – the Christ Kiswahili Lutheran Mission Nashville, TN; the Stewpot Community Services Jackson, MS; and Inspiritus, Inc. Atlanta, GA]
43 ministries awarded 2020 Domestic Hunger Grants and 71 ministries awarded 2019 Domestic Hunger Grants will receive continued funding in 2021.
Four ministries have been awarded Big Dream Grants for a one-time investment of $200,000.
In summer 2021, ELCA congregations with feeding ministries will be able to access additional funds through Daily Bread Matching Grants.

If your congregation is interested in more information about applying for a Hunger Grant for your food ministry, or if you are interested in starting a food ministry, please contact me at cherylbopp@hotmail.com or 770-856-8464.

+ Cheryl Bopp, Southeastern Synod World Hunger Chair

ALL TENNESSEE 2020 - November 14

For all youth in 6th through 12th grades

THIS EVENT WILL BE HELD IN A HYBRID FORMAT!!!

MORNING SESSION: on your own, in your household, or with your youth group (if you are gathering in-person, physically distanced, of course). Suggested start time is 10:00am EST / 9:00am CST.

AFTERNOON SESSION: we gather via ZOOM at 3:00-4:30pm EST / 2:00-3:30pm CST

CONCERT WITH RACHEL KURTZ: after our afternoon session, Rachel Kurtz will join in our ZOOM call to lead a concert!!!

So cool! So excited!

PLUS, we get to reveal the theme that SESLYO developed for our 2020-2021 youth events for the synod...Accept. Embrace. Spread Grace.

Cost? FREE, since this event is a hybrid event, with part in-person / part-online

Who Can Come? This gathering is for 6th-12th graders from congregations in the WHOLE SOUTHEASTERN SYNOD,

but especially for the Lutherans and friends of TENNESSEE. ALL are welcome.

This year, we are taking registrations on an INDIVIDUAL BASIS, NOT through a congregational registration.

To see information from prior years, scroll down...

ALL TENNESSEE 2019 - November 9-10

Check out the pictures from 2019 All TN HERE

All TN 2019 took place at Trinity LC, Tullahoma, TN

ALL TENNESSEE 2018

122 youth and adults met November 10 & 11 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Hixson, Tennessee for All Tennessee. During the event youth from across Tennessee gathered to learn more about the "GODISNOWHERE" theme by participating in different activities throughout Saturday afternoon. Youth looked at where God was through an interactive Stations of the Cross activity, they also got to ask Pastor Ed Myers and Pastor Katherine Museus any question they wanted to ask, they learned about how we can be God's hands in the midst of disasters through the work of Lutheran Disaster Relief and put together hygiene kits for Lutheran World Relief. To finish out their service that day they moved mulch on to the church's playground. Worship started with a group of youth from Christ Kiswahili Lutheran Mission leading in song and during the confession participants were invited to take a piece of string to represent their confession and tie it on nails that formed "GODISNOWHERE" - a powerful way to see that God comes to us in the midst of our brokenness and as we communed together we saw God come once again in the body and blood of Christ. Special thanks to the volunteers of Trinity Lutheran Church for their hospitality and meals, as well as the ALL Tennessee planning team for their hard work putting it all together.