For the Rev. Michael Mulberry, no other component is more critical to the mission of the Christian church.

"I so strongly believe that healing and health ministries are a baseline for all we do as Christian churches," said Mulberry, pastor of United Church of Byron (Ill.) UCC.

Mulberry is among the first –– and the most enthusiastic –– about "Just Eating? Practicing Our Faith at the Table," a seven-session course of study born out "Mindful and Faithful Eating," one of the resolutions approved by delegates at last summer’s General Synod 28.

The UCC’s Justice and Witness Ministries, which is implementing the resolution, encourages congregations, Associations and Conferences to engage in "Just Eating?" as a Lenten study opportunity. The Lenten season begins on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 22.

Benefit to Rockford
"This is especially important for places such as the Rockford (Ill.) area," said Mulberry, whose church in Byron is just 12 miles from what he calls "the poorest multicultural, multiracial zip code" in the United States. "The whole west side of Rockford has been declared a food desert by the USDA. And it's growing. You can imagine what their food choices are presently."

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Economic Research Service (USDA) reported in November 2009 that 11.1 percent of Illinois residents are "food insecure" –– lacking consistent access to adequate amounts of nutritious food. Rockford continues to struggle with the highest unemployment rate (13.2 percent) of any metropolitan area in the state, feeling the brunt of a sluggish national economy and cuts to social service programs.

A collaborative effort among Advocate Health Care (a member of the UCC’s Council for Health and Human Service Ministries), Church World Service, Bread for the World, and the Presbyterian Hunger Program, "Just Eating?" uses scripture, prayers and stories from the local and global community to examine food and food sharing from a smorgasbord of perspectives:

• Representing sacramental gestures
• Maintaining healthy bodies
• Ensuring access to food
• Realizing how food choices influence the health of the earth
• Using food to extend hospitality and enrich relationships.

A leader's guide and resources are included, as is a book of readings for action and reflection.

Mulberry is planning a major food-justice event for late April. More than 30 workshops will be offered on such topics as table blessings, preserving and canning, making church meals more faith-full, starting a community garden, food and immigration, food and hunger policy, and food deserts and security. 

"We’ll also have an organic meal at Angelic Organics, just outside of Rockford," said Mulberry. "It is the largest Community Supported Agriculture family farm in the country. We’re also developing for the event a detailed list of local and organic alternatives to the corporate or industrial farms."

The Rev. Kirsten Peachey, a prominent advocate of "Just Eating?," will deliver the keynote speech April 28, and food-justice author Anna Lappe ("Diet for a Hot Planet") has been invited.

"We’re also having a food film festival in February," said Mulberry in an email. "It will feature a local rabbi discussing ‘the new kosher’; an African-American pastor talking about fasting with fruits and vegetables; and a Latina pastor who is an agri-eco justice expert working with Latino/a ministries along with Presbyterian USA and the Evangelical Lutheran Churches Association."

In preparation, Mulberry has been discussing with church members sermons on food, how to make food "rules" for today, and how to become part of the movement. 

Pa. Conference focuses on 'Just Eating'
In the UCC’s Pennsylvania Southeast Conference, the Rev. Mary Sicher is ambitiously spreading the news about the campaign.

"We need to focus on families and helping parents share their faith with kids," said Sicher, Conference minister of Christian education. "We have families who need help daily. Both parents are working, running to soccer practice . . . there’s no time for dinner.

"Do they want to go to the fast-food drive-through –– or would they rather arrive at church to a well-prepared, healthy meal?" she asks.

Modern-day thinking and a kid-friendly approach are crucial, said Sicher. "I was raised in the era of, ‘There are starving children in China who need that food. Don’t waste it!’ I don’t think that’s the right approach today."

Sicher has compiled a brief bibliography of eight children’s books centered on food and food justice. "I have a passion for children’s literature," she said.

Along with the workshop-rotation component from the UCC’s "Faith Practices" and the "Build a Better World" resource from CWS, Sicher is optimistic that "Just Eating?" will help to meet the needs of younger people.

"There is a treasure trove of activities of things for children to do around food issues," she said.

For further information, visit www.ucc.org/justice/just-eating or www.eatwellguide.org.