For Bread for the World members in New Mexico, 40 is Also Really 30

Local members celebrated Bread's 20th birthday in 1995

You might have seen reports that 50 is America's favorite age. And some entertainers and other prominent personalities  have gone as far as to suggest that 50 is the new 30. Bread for the World is not quite 50 yet, but our beloved organization turned 40 this year. And I wouldn't try to make Bread any younger! Our milestone birthday means that we have a 40-year track record of advocating for policies to reduce hunger and poverty in our country and around the world. That is really a major source of pride!

A state coordinator in 1984

Brother Jim Brown at local 35th anniversary celebration

For Bread for the World members in New Mexico, however, 40 is really 30. In this case, we are celebrating both 40 and 30 (and not 30 instead of 40). You might not know that Bread for the World has been around in New Mexico for at least 30 years. There were Bread members here since the the 1970s, but 1984 was the first year we had any organized presence. Jim Brown, a member of the Christian Brothers from Santa Fe, agreed  to coordinate Bread activities shortly after he returned to New Mexico from Louisiana in 1984. In this role, Brother Jim encouraged groups in New Mexico to communicate and gather where possible. (That was a more difficult task in the days before Smartphones, Facebook and the current sophisticated versions of email).

An organized group in Albuquerque in 1989

Howard Corry (third from left) moderated candidate forum

The first recorded organized gathering of Bread members in Albuquerque took place on Saturday morning, April 15, 1989, when a group  of Bread members decided to form a chapter in the First Congressional District. According  to Lutheran Campus Pastor Howard Corry, a former campus pastor at the University of New Mexico and the first district coordinator for the Albuquerque area, local members started to gather monthly at Central United Methodist Church to write letters and discuss Bread-related issues. The meetings were  a launching point for an even more important task. " Everyone was urged to get their local church to conduct an offering of letters," said Rev. Corry.

Please join us on Saturday, October 25, to learn more (and see pictures) of how Bread for the World evolved in Albuquerque and elsewhere in New Mexico since 1984 and 1989. Below are details of our event, which like the national celebration in June will also highlight the Bread Rising campaign.  Please be sure  to register.

    Bread Rising 40th Anniversary Booklet

       Mark Your Calendars!
Bread Rising in New Mexico
Saturday, October 25
St. Andrew Presbyterian Church
5301 Ponderosa Ave. NE (Map)
3:30 p.m.

Click Here to Register 

Program

Prelude Song: Bread for the World (by Marty Haugen)
Welcome- Patty Emord (St. Andrew Presbyterian Church)

Call to Prayer  Rev. Gene Gries (Norbertine Community)
Song: Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow

Bread History/Flickr Slide Show -Carlos Navarro
Song: Pan de Vida

Reflection on Pray
Isaiah 55:6-11
Anne Morawski  (Luther House)
An Invitation to Continue to Pray
 (David Miner, Bread board member from Indianapolis)
Song Prayer of St. Francis

Reflection on Act
Matthew 25:34-40
[With contributions from Brother Jim Brown (Christian Brothers) and others]
An Invitation to Continue to Act
Ellen Buelow (Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Catholic Community)
Song Here I Am

Reflection on Give
Luke 9:12-17
John Foley (Mesa View United Methodist Church)
An Invitation to Continue to Give
Joanne Nazarian (Bread Staff)
Song: Now Thank We All Our God 

Reflection on Looking Forward/Ending Hunger by 2030
Psalm 145
Erik Medina (First Congregational Church)
Song: Lift Every Voice  and Sing

Closing Song Bread for the World (by Marty Haugen) 

Benediction: Karen Cobb (St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church)

Short Reception

(Musicians: Rev. Steve Miller, Terese Bridges, Erik Medina, Sister Joan Brown and others)