Week of October 12 (Thanksgiving Day, World
Food Day, Eradication of Poverty Day)
Scripture: Philippians 4:1-9
Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love
and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the
Lord in this way, my beloved. I urge Euodia and I
urge Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord.
Yes, and I ask you also, my loyal companion, help
these women, for they have struggled beside me
in the work of the gospel, together with Clement
and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are
in the book of life.
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord
is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let
your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will
guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is
pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise,
think about these things. Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and
seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.
PWRDF Story: Hope and Challenge, by PWRDF Diocesan Representative Mary Dove (Anglican Parishes
of the Central Interior - APCI), July 4, 2014
Editor’s Note: As part of its three-year Food Security Campaign, launched in November 2013, PWRDF
partnered with the Sorrento Centre, the Anglican conference and retreat centre on Shuswap Lake, B.C.,
to develop and run a course on food security. The course explored the complex issues of food security
both globally and in Canada in dialogue with partners from Cuba, farmers from Canada, PWRDF
volunteers and other interested Anglicans. Participants explored themes such as food and health,
community-based farming, sustainable food production, and the complexities of food aid, food security
and food sovereignty, among other issues. Presentations, group discussions and activities were
complimented by opportunities to “dig a little deeper” on the Sorrento Centre Farm. PWRDF volunteers
present at Sorrento were invited to write a daily blog that was posted on the PWRDF website between
June 29 and July 7, 2014. Look for the learning resource “Sharing Bread,” that has been developed out of
the course, available from PWRDF this fall.
From our wonderful outdoor chapel overlooking Shuswap Lake and with the warm sun breaking through
the leaves, we heard the message of Moses’ encounter with God through the burning bush. The
message to us was to look around again and open our eyes to our environment and to be prepared to
examine issues through the eyes of others. That prophetic thought certainly played out in our activities
of the day as we explored Food Aid vs. Security vs. Sovereignty.
Under the guidance of our delightful Farmer Devon, we watched as the children were guided into an
understanding of Food Aid vs. Security vs. Sovereignty. She did it very simply by using three bowls of
candies:
1) Food Aid – All the candies were the same in this bowl, one was given to each child and they ran out
of candies before everyone got one.
2) Food Security – Everyone was given two candies and there was just enough for all.
3) Food Sovereignty – Everyone got to choose three candies that they wished and there was an
amount left over.
This was a very simple procedure with very few words, lots of interaction and a good understanding of
the concepts. We were all impressed.
Farmer Dave then gave us a wonderful slide show on faith and farming. He talked about the number of
faith-based organizations in both Canada and the US that are committed to developing sustainable
farms as a moral issue. The Sorrento Farm has been running now for six years and it is unique in that it is
the only one operated by Anglicans in Canada. Many churches across our country are moving towards
developing church gardens for their parishes and neighbours. It was certainly a “feel good” experience
to know that the movement is growing and flourishing at a practical and local level.
Then came our time to grapple with these concepts on a global basis. Andre Visscher who works for the
Canadian Foodgrains Bank (CFGB) and has extensive experience in this whole area of food production
and distribution presented us with a world-view. He was able to walk us through some of the
accomplishments and challenges of his work. CFGB [of which PWRDF is a member] is a Christian
response to hunger in the world. The good news was that globally the percentage of hungry people
went from 23.6% in 1990 to 14.3% in 2012. The bad news was that that is still not good enough and that
climate change, wars, monopolies of food and greed still threaten the state of hunger. As we discussed
these facts and figures we became frustrated and passionate about the whole situation.
It was interesting to observe on this fourth day of our conference that people were intermingling more
and having deeper discussions. We had reached that point where people were sharing their stories
more easily and discussing our common journeys. Sorrento has that wonderful ability to help strangers
be friends and to help us all dig down to our spiritual roots again in order to continue our lives.
For Reflection: Grappling with “big picture” issues like food security can sometimes feel overwhelming.
It appears that Paul’s “co-workers” struggled too. Both Paul in his message to the early Christians in
Philippi and Mary in her blog from Sorrento emphasized the importance of community. Paul
encouraged his followers to “be of the same mind in the Lord.” Mary wrote about how, “We had
reached that point where people were sharing their stories more easily and discussing our common
journeys.” Where have you found “community” in your life? How has it enabled you to address big
picture issues? What do you give thanks for in light of those experiences?
Concluding Prayer
Editor’s Note: When I was growing up in Cranbrook, B.C. the Book of Common Prayer was still used at
some of the worship services at Christ Church Anglican. Paul’s letter to the Philippians brought back to
mind that “old fashioned” but beautiful, evocative language.
“ALMIGHTY and everliving God, we most heartily thank thee that thou dost graciously feed us, in these
holy mysteries, with the spiritual food of the most precious Body and Blood of thy Son our Saviour Jesus
Christ; assuring us thereby of thy favour and goodness towards us; and that we are living members of
his mystical body, which is the blessed company of all faithful people; and are also heirs through hope of
thy everlasting kingdom.
“And here we offer and present unto thee, O Lord, ourselves, our souls and bodies, to be a reasonable,
holy, and living sacrifice unto thee. And although we are unworthy, yet we beseech thee to accept this
our bounden duty and service, not weighing our merits, but pardoning our offences; through Jesus
Christ our Lord, to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honour and glory, world without
end. Amen.
THE peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and
love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord: And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son,
and the Holy Ghost, be amongst you and remain with you always. Amen.”
Book of Common Prayer 1962 (on line)