We have received a challenge from clergy and laity in the Cincinnati area and Bishop Gregory Palmer of the West Ohio Annual Conference has challenged Bishop Hagiya to use this weekend’s big game between the Rams and Bengals to do good.
Los Angeles is rallying behind our NFL Rams as they prepare to play the Cincinnati Bengals for Super Bowl LVI on Sunday evening, February 13, 2022, United Methodists in both cities are rallying for good. Without the typical trash talk of loyal fans, United Methodist congregations and individuals in each city are committing to raising food resources and financial support to address food insecurity in both cities.
To participate in this challenge, your local church is encouraged to collect funds (or food) for a project that addresses hunger–whatever makes sense for your community. Then, let us know how much you’ve collected by the end of the day on February 14 – via this online form: https://forms.gle/Qzz2UrGdAJAqA8oGA.
You can download graphics to customize and use here. (They’re designed so you can add words/directions on the bottom portion of the graphic, with details about how your folks can participate.)
John Wesley commended all Methodists to “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.” The Bible calls all followers of Jesus to “outdo each other in being helpful and kind to each other and in doing good.” (Hebrews 10:24)
Leading United Methodists in both cities have challenged one another other to give food or funds to feed people experiencing food insecurity in their communities. They have issues specific challenges to give proportionally (a percentage) of the amount of food and money they are going to spend on their own Super Bowl activities: tickets, travel, parties, bets, festivities, and snacks. If a UM has purchased a ticket for $600 they are challenged to give $60 (10%) in food or funds to a local food organization. If they have spent $50 on Super Bowl snacks and drinks, to give $10 (20%) or more in food or funds to a local food pantry.
The real super bowl competition is to outdo one another in doing all the good we can for those who struggle to put adequate, healthy food on their table.
Go, Rams! Beat the Bengals! Go, Los Angeles! Beat Cincinnati!
Go, United Methodists, beat hunger!
