Bread & Justice
The newsletter of the Metropolitan New York Synod Hunger Committee
This issue of Bread and Justice focuses on the Syrian Refugee Crisis--the greatest humanitarian crisis since World War II. More than 50% of Syrians have been displaced from their homes by civil war and the growing threat of the Islamic State.  Hunger is a major issue in coping with this growing crisis. According to the World Food Programme (WFP, the food aid arm of the UN) nearly 6,000,000 people in Syria and neighboring countries require some sort of food assistance. The WFP currently requires  40,000 tons of food a month just to feed those internally displaced persons still in Syrian refugee camps.
 
The UN refugee agency, UNHCR, as well as WFP provide electronic vouchers to refugees to help pay for housing, food and medical care. The increasing demand for assistance and the lack of adequate funding have reduced the amount given each refugee to a level that is, at best, 80% of what is needed monthly. Other aid agencies have had to make similar cuts. The overwhelming majority of displaced persons fall well below national poverty lines. Though many refugees have crossed European borders, the overwhelming majority lacks the financial resources to undertake such a dangerous and costly journey. The aim of this newsletter is to inform you about the crisis and how you can respond.
 
We begin with a reflection on some passages in the Old and New Testament relating to strangers and how we should regard them. After a brief history of the Syrian conflict we highlight some of the psychological problems that surround refugees and the need to feed mind as well as body. We then analyze some of the main Economic consequences of hosting the Syrian refugees. We close with a personal story of what being a refugee entails and a Lutheran Call-for-Action.

The MNYS Hunger Committee 
I was a stranger
"As I write this, there is an article in the New York Times titled in bold letters 'Syrian Family of 7 Is Settled in New Jersey Against Christie's Opposition' and shows the Rev. Seth Kaper-Dale standing in front of the sponsoring congregation in Highland Park, NJ.  Welcoming strangers, including refugees, is in our DNA." Continue reading Rev. James Sudbrock's reflection on how welcoming strangers is a part of our Biblical DNA.
Syria: A Brief History of the Conflict
The Syrian Refugee Crisis began in 2011 when pro-democracy demonstrators protested against the government of Syria's president, Bashar al-Assad.  Government security forces responded harshly and the situation quickly escalated into civil war, involving not only rebels and pro-government forces but expanding to include the conflict between the Sunni majority and a Shia sect. Jihadist groups including the Islamic State, as well as neighboring countries and world powers are also involved.  It is estimated that nearly a quarter million have been killed, and nearly 50% of Syria's population has been displaced within Syria and neighboring countries.  Nearly 4,000,000 people have fled Syria, creating a severe humanitarian crisis.  Because living conditions in Syria's neighboring countries are difficult, nearly 700,000 refugees have made the perilous journey to Europe, hoping to find refuge there. Continue reading about the history of the crisis.
The Need for Psychological Services for Refugees
There are several classes of negative psychological outcomes that can befall a refugee. 1) Ordinary human suffering (O
HS). 2) Distressful psychological reaction (DPR). 3) Psychiatric disorder (PD). Bluntly, OHS is a part of life. DPR may or may not require specialist attention; an individual may just be resilient. PD, such as serious PTSD, major depressive or anxiety disorders, requires professional intervention. These categories show the rationale for providing psychological services for refugees, because the stimuli predictive of DPR and PD are much more likely to be present for a refugee and in higher concentration than for a control population.
 
Just recently my church, Our Saviour Lutheran Church in Croton on Hudson hosted a Lutheran World Relief (LWR) representative; Beth McKinley. In an informative presentation, she spoke for a while and showed a good video that reminded us that our support of LWR, whether in providing quilts or health kits, has a genuine person-to-person component. For instance, the labors of love by the quilting guild in making a beautiful quilt are performed for one of God's kids, or per Matthew 25:31ff, the Lord .

It particularly caught my attention that psychological services are also being provided by LWR and ELCA disaster response initiatives. This, as a staff member of the Lutheran Counseling Center, makes much experiential sense to me. Continue reading this exploration of why psychological care is needed for refugees from Rev. Anthony Stephens, Ph.D.
Syrian Refugees: Short-Term Losses, But Long-Term Economic Gains
When Jesus was asked who was the greatest in the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 18: 1-2) he replied that whoever takes the lowly position of the child is the greatest. Children are indeed lowly and vulnerable. In this way they are like the Syrian refugees. However, just as a child is only currently vulnerable and can be expected to grow into an independent and productive adult, a refugee also needs support in the short-term, but can be expected in the future to be a productive and independent entity that can look after him/herself and also, subsequently, care for others.

It is important therefore that when considering the Syrian refugee crisis that one does not focus exclusively on the initial economic burden that countries suffer when they host the refugees and ignore the longer-term benefits. Continue to read the economic impacts from Robert Brent, Ph.D.
Meet Wissam
Tall and skinny, Wissam walks up and down, shivering, in front of a health centre . He has come here to get a drug for his wife, who is suffering from diabetes. He knows that he will have to wait here for at least one hour before receiving it. Since the Jordanian government has decided that health care will not be free anymore for Syrians, this place, run by a charity, has become one of the very few that still provide free medical care. Since long time the waiting room has been overwhelmed with patients who are now waiting in the courtyard. The director of the centre has left his heated office to host some women with babies and is working outside, his laptop on his knees. The scene would be funny, apart from the cold and misery of these refugees.  Keep reading Wissam's story. 
Call to action:
Lutherans respond to the Refugee Crisis 
As a church we are called to respond to the needs of others, and Lutheran programs have been engaged with the Syrian Refugee Crisis since it began. Lutheran Disaster Response has so far committed $1 million to help in with the crisis.  LDR is working with our companion churches and other partners to meet basic needs by distributing food, water, blankets, health kits, and by providing psychosocial care, as well as continued support for refugee camps. 100% of your gift will go to help people.  Give here or through your congregation.
 
Lutheran World Relief is working with ACT Alliance, a coalition of 137 churches and faith-based groups, to provide hygiene items, emergency shelters, coats and blankets, and psychosocial services in Greece, Serbia, and Hungary.  LWR is also shipping quilts, hygiene kits, and baby care kits to Serbia for distribution to refugees.  Learn how you can make kits here . 
 
Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS)  is keeping people informed of developments in the crisis through their website and blog. It is also encouraging advocacy with Congress for policies that welcome refugees.
 
ELCA Advocacy is asking people to take action by contacting Senators to encourage them to co-sponsor the Food for Peace Reform Act of 2015. Food for Peace supports hunger relief abroad and is the largest donor to the World Food Programme. These reforms would help make our food aid more efficient, and would help with the hunger aspect of the Refugee Crisis.

Finally, as a church we join in prayer  for the refugees and those working to help them. You can use this prayer  or  Refugee Sunday Resources  from LIRS. Or  this prayer of intercession: 
Compassionate God, as you watched over Jesus, Mary and Joseph when they fled to Egypt to escape Herod's slaughter and led them to a new home in Nazareth, protect refugees as they flee violence, terror, and economic hardship. Lead them to places of welcome where they can rebuild their lives. Bless those who come to their aid, and inspire our generosity to support ministries that welcome the stranger in our midst.  Hear us, O God.  Your mercy is great.

Our church is continues to be closely involved in assistance and advocacy. In December, Bishop Eaton and two other Lutheran bishops visited one of the Syrian refugee camps in Jordan. Bishop Eaton reflected, "We believe that the cross of life is where there is suffering. It certainly is in that camp in Jordan, and it's our calling in God's world to alleviate these people's suffering."  Read the full news release.
 
Keep in touch
The Hunger Committee would like to keep in touch with you!  Let us know how we can help you raise awareness of hunger issues in your congregation. We would also like to hear about what your congregation does to address hunger locally and globally so we can share your ideas and activities with others. We can be reached at [email protected].  We look forward to hearing from you!
 
Winter 2016 

For I was hungry and you gave me food.

(Matthew 25:35)

 

 

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We raise awareness of world hunger issues and serve as a resource to congregations, assisting them in responding to the needs of hungry people, locally and globally.

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Hunger Committee
Dcn. Karen Nurmi,  Co-chair
Dr. Robert Brent, Co-chair
The Rev. Rosalind Brathwaite
The Rev. Perucy Butiku, 
MNYS Staff
The Rev. James O'Hanlon
 Ms. Beverly Small
The Rev. Anthony Stephens
The Rev. James Sudbrock
Ms. Eleanore Sudbrock
Dcn. Richard Thyden
Ms. Abigail Triebel
The Rev. Alex Walbrodt