Hunger Team Update 

The Hunger Team has continued to focus on the Walk for Water campaign, which educates about a global water crisis that doesn't always make the headlines. The truth is that the water crisis claims more lives each year than war.  Globally, 1.8 billion people - that's about one out of every four people - drink from contaminated water sources. Unsafe water leads to illnesses that claim the lives of 840,000 people each year, almost half of whom are children under the age of 5. What's more, women and children spend hours each day collecting water. This keeps them from school, work, and time with family. This keeps families and communities from learning, earning an income, and contributing to the local economy.

 

ELCA World Hunger has a do-it-yourself track experience that teaches about the water crisis through experiencing what it is like to carry the water needed to live.  Our Synod Hunger Team has taken this track and made it into a very easy to use kit that is available for any congregation to use. We can also help your congregation set up and run the Walk for Water.  

 

Last Month, the Walk for Water was held at Mt Cross, Camarillo. Our track even made its way through the Sanctuary!

If you are interested in learning more, you can check out the Walk for Water website or email [email protected].

 

Thank you,  

The Synod Hunger Team

Sheri Groenveld, Melissa Henry, Mary Wennes, Susanne Maliski, & Pastor Steve Herder

Special Worship Service: Honoring Those Who Serve on the Front Lines of Emergencies

Ascension, Thousand Oaks

9:30 a.m. Sunday, September 11, 2016

All first responders and their families across the community as well as within congregation and school families are invited to be honored September 11 at Ascension Lutheran Church in Thousand Oaks. The event will include a blessing for firefighters, police, emergency medical technicians, sheriffs, medical and military personnel, Red Cross workers and all other professionals who serve on the front lines of emergency services. Special thank you's and music will be part of the service, too. A reception with refreshments will follow.

"It's about honoring the profession," said Ventura County Fire DepartmentDivision Chief Ted Smith, who is also a member of Ascension. Within the profession, he noted, "Ordinary people do extraordinary things."  

"We're Grateful for First Responders" caps Ascension's Summer of Gratitude celebration, during which the congregation has focused on different themes of thanks each week, from education (8/28) to creation (9/4) and more. The First Responders event falls on the 15th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, as well as the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America's day of service, known as God's Work. Our Hands.

For more information, contact  Stacy Bosco at (805) 495-0406 or

Marcie Aschbrenner at (805) 496-2419.