08269
April 8, 2008
Rural Life Sunday is April 27
Annual observance pays tribute to rural churches, small farmers and ranchers
Hope Presbyterian Church in Keldron, SD, was among the originators of an overture on the family farm crisis that was approved by the 1999 General Assembly. And resulted three years later in a report called “We Are What We Eat,” which challenges the PC(USA) to get involved in issues relating to food production and consumption. PNS file photo LOUISVILLE — Presbyterians are being encouraged to celebrate Rural Life Sunday on April 27 by learning about issues facing rural communities and congregations and to look for ways to support small farmers and ranchers.
As part of the annual observance, rural, suburban and urban churches are being urged to get to know one another by learning from each other and finding ways to be mutually supportive.
“Rural Life Sunday celebrates not only the richness of congregational life but the folks in the rural communities who produce our food and who basically feed America and the world,” said the Rev. Phil Tom, associate for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s Small Church and Community Ministry office.
Tom’s office is providing a variety of online resources to help congregations plan services and other programs for Rural Life Sunday.
Lifting up rural congregations and small farmers is important, Tom said, since more than half of all smaller membership PC(USA) congregations are located in rural areas.
Times are hard for many PC(USA) farmers and rural congregations because of an escalating economic crisis, Tom said. Unless a miracle happens soon, a broad swath of rural America may be swept away, a casualty of the farming industry’s shift from family-sized operations to corporate mega-farming.
Tom said he’s been impressed with the ministry and mission in which many of the PC(USA)’s rural congregations are engaged. Often lacking significant financial resources and large memberships these congregations find abundance in their people, “their gifts and talents,” in putting their buildings to use and in partnering with other churches and community organizations, he said.
“It’s really tough,” Tom said of life for rural congregations. “But if any congregations apart from urban congregations are adapting well to their context it’s the rural congregations. They’re doing shared team ministry. They’re doing tent making. They’re doing incredible things.”
Among the Rural Life Sunday resources provided by Tom’s office is a call to worship and a prayer of confession and assurance of pardon. There are scripture readings from the lectionary of the day, including verses from Acts, Psalm, John and 1 Peter.
There’s a list of suggested hymns to mark the occasion such as “Sing Praise to God, Who Reigns Above,” “God Is Here!” and “Holy Spirit, Truth Divine.”
Small church and community ministry stories are featured as are a list of PC(USA) General Assembly extra commitment opportunities for congregations that are considering allocating a portion of their offerings to support rural ministry projects.
Meanwhile, churches can stay busy with a range of suggested activities for Rural Life Sunday that include:
- Networking with rural congregations to learn about issues they face while discovering ways to be supportive of one another.
- Setting aside time during educational programs to discuss issues related to food production and consumption.
- Encouraging local schools and other institutions to purchase and prepare locally produced food.
There are rural ministry resources, such as Internet Web links to the Center for Rural Affairs, the Farm and Food Project, and the National Catholic Rural Life Conference.
Print resources are available from the Presbyterian Marketplace Web site or by calling the Presbyterian Distribution Service (PDS) toll-free at (800) 524-2612.
Among the print resources:
- “We Are What We Eat” - A report adopted by the PC(USA)’s 214th General Assembly in 2002. The report, which can also be downloaded, calls on the entire church to become faithful stewards by supporting family farmers and ranchers. It also demonstrates the complexity of the issues affecting farmers and ranchers and urges the church to reflect theologically, become informed of the issues relating to food production and consumption and take action that will restore God’s justice to farming and ranching communities in this country and throughout the world. PDS item number 6860002003.
- “Just Eating? Practicing Our Faith at the Table” - A seven-session curriculum for congregations that explores the relationship between the way we eat and the way we live, published by the Presbyterian Hunger Program. The study uses scripture, prayer and stories from the local and global community to explore five key aspects of our relationship with food. PDS item number 7436505361. The leader’s guide for the curriculum can be ordered separately. PDS item number 7436505362.
In related news, April 27 is also the start of Soil and Water Stewardship Week, sponsored by the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD). This year’s theme is “Water is Life.”
Resources produced by NACD are available for the celebration of Soil and Water Stewardship Week from NACD. Among them are a church leader’s guide, litany, placemats with activities, program cover and program insert. Resources may be ordered from the NACD by calling (888) 825-6657 extension three. |
