When you think of hunger and poverty, a lot of people think about 3rd world countries and they may not be aware that right here in Clarksville, Montgomery County we have a big need.  There are many people who are hungry, and although we have several local programs like Urban Ministries Grace Assistance Food Pantry, Loaves and Fishes (Soup Kitchen), FUEL and others, the need is still great. Agencies have reported close to a 40% increase in the number of persons they are serving, up from last year at this time. According to the USDA, over 36 million Americans are food insecure…and just do not have enough to eat.

Empty Bowls

Last year the First Annual Clarksville Empty Bowls initiative raised over $ 10,700 helping raise awareness about hunger issues and putting food on the tables of many local families. Much of the Clarksville community pitches in to fill the Empty Bowls. Local restaurants supply the breads, churches provide desserts, and local businesses and others donate funds for the ingredients to make the homemade soups that are served at the supper.

The 2010 Empty Bowls event will be held on Tuesday, February 23, 2010 from 4:30-7:00 pm. at the Waterstreet Events Center on Riverside Drive in Clarksville.  More than 500 bowls have been made and donated for the upcoming soup supper by artists from the Tennessee Association of Craft Artists, APSU Art Dept. students and local citizens.  A silent auction and a few other fundraising efforts at the event will all go towards supporting Loaves and Fishes, United Methodist Urban Ministries-Grace Assistance Food Pantry and the F.U.E.L program, local programs feeding Clarksville’s hungry.

Organizers plan to serve 500 at the 2010 Empty Bowls Event. There will be plenty of comfort food for everyone. This year there are plans to have crafters on a potter’s wheel crafting bowls while soup is being served and local musicians providing entertainment.

Sponsors, donations for soup ingredients and volunteers are needed. For more information, contact Rita Arancibia at 931-551-5450 or e-mail: rita.. Tickets will go on sale in mid December.

Photos from the 2009 Empty Bowls

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He used these macabre terms recently to describe the University’s annual Percussion Ensemble Halloween Concert. For the last 25 years, this strange blend of music and mayhem has set the mood for the October holiday, and it’s proven to be wildly popular among Clarksville residents.

“It’s a very family-friendly concert, and it’s always a sell-out,” Steinquest said.

At 6 and 8 p.m. this Friday, APSU musicians will once again don costumes and perform a mix of Halloween music in an eerily decorated concert hall inside the Music/Mass Communication Building.

The 2008 Percussion Ensemble Halloween Concert

The evening begins with “This is Halloween,” from the Tim Burton-produced film “The Nightmare Before Christmas.” It’ll feature the APSU voice faculty, including Gail Robinson-Oturu, Sharon Mabry, Doug Rose, Tom King and Korre Foster.

“There is scary classical piano music by Bela Bartok and creepy orchestral music by Hector Berlioz arranged for the ensemble,” Steinquest said. “The voice faculty may be forced into playing a life-or-death game show during the Berlioz!”

If they survive, the show will continue with a strange, robotic piece, titled “Starship Groove,” and “two violently percussive ensembles,” Steinquest said, known as “The Doomsday Machine” and “Ku-Ka-Ilimoku.”

“But ‘Mist,’ a beautifully haunting all-keyboard piece, acts as a counterbalance,” he said.

This year’s performance marks the concert’s 25th anniversary, but Steinquest is still hesitant to give away too many details about the show. He likes to keep attendees guessing from year to year as to what elaborate costume he might be wearing.

“It’s a bigger secret than anything from Dan Brown’s latest novel,” he said. “You’ll just have to come to find out.”

He did, however, let slip that the two big drumming apes from last year, Chris Brooks and Chris Crockarell, might make an encore appearance. He also said the show will close with “Above,” a song by the Blue Man Group, featuring APSU music professor Stanley Yates on electric guitar.

Admission to the Halloween concert is two cans of food, which will be donated to Loaves and Fishes, or $3. For more information, or tickets, contact the music department office at 221-7818.

Images from the 2008 Halloween Concert

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They are looking for individuals and businesses to help sponsor this years event. If you, or your business can help either with a cash sponsorship, or by taking care of one or more of the items needed from the list below, you will be making a big difference! Loaves and Fishes is a 501(c3) non-profit so all donations are tax deductible.

Contact Susan Chapman via email or via phone  at 931-645-9020 to offer your assistance, or for ticketing information.

Volunteers prepare trays of bread for heating and serving

Wish list

Fruits & Vegetables

Bell Peppers	30 lbs
Celery	30 lbs
Onions	50 lbs
Pinto Beans	50 lbs
Long grain White Rice	8 bags of 20 lbs or 25 lbs
Minute Rice	50 lbs
Whole Pecans	75 lbs

Meats

Smoked Sausage links	75 lbs
Hamburger	25 lbs
Turkeys	40 chopped (20 pots, 2 turkeys per pot)
Chicken Broth

Dairy

Sticks of Butter

10 lbs

Dry Goods

White Sugar	100 lbs
Brown Sugar	100 lbs

Images from last years Louisiana Saturday Night

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State Senator Tim Barnes and State Representative Joe Pitts speaking at Veterans Plaza during the 2008 Election.

NASHVILLE – Senator Tim Barnes and Representative Joe Pitts co-sponsored legislation that will make it easier for organizations that feed the homeless to do their work.

The legislation, which passed unanimously in both the Senate and the House, allows not-for-profit groups to provide meals for the homeless without paying costly permit fees that govern restaurants and other commercial food service establishments.

“These organizations and the good folks that run them depend on donations to do their work,” Senator Barnes said. “Their resources, especially in times like these, are small, and the need for their services is great.

“Sen. Barnes and I became aware of this problem by working with Loaves and Fishes,” Rep. Pitts said. “Loaves and Fishes provides invaluable services to Montgomery County, and with this legislation, they will no longer have to bear the costly burden that regulations would place on them.”

Loaves and Fishes is located in Clarksville and serves 150-200 meals from 10:30 a.m. until noon six days a week. They have operated a food kitchen and food distribution center for 25 years.

The legislation co-sponsored by Senator Barnes and Representative Pitts also makes allowances for non-profit volunteer organizations that provide food and lodging for families of out-of-town children undergoing medical treatment – such as the Ronald McDonald Houses.

Sen. Tim Barnes represents Cheatham, Houston, and Montgomery Counties. You can contact his office at sen.tim..gov or 1-800-449-8366, extension 1-2374 or 305 War Memorial Building, Nashville, TN 37243-0222.

Rep. Pitts represents Montgomery County. You can contact his office at rep.joe..gov or 1-800-449-8366, extension 1-2043 or 109 War Memorial Building, Nashville, TN 37243-0222.

Your support will benefit Clarksville’s F.U.E.L and Loaves and Fishes programs as well as provide fresh, home-grown veggies for your family.

The Garden of Hope is a local community outreach program sponsored in part by the City of Clarksville Office of Housing and Community Development, UT/TSU Cooperative Extension program in Montgomery County, other organizations and businesses.

How can you help?

• By volunteering to adopt a section of the garden and care for it throughout the garden season.
• Sign up for the Garden of Hope CSA, and for a nominal fee of $20 each week of the 12 week growing season you will receive a box full of fresh, seasonal vegetables.
• Shop at our Downtown Market booth on Saturdays later this season.
• Shop at the On-Farm Market Stand

Would you like to help? Please contact:

Karla Kean 931-648-5725

Application

If you are interested in helping complete the following and mail to:

Karla Kean, Extension Agent
UT-TSU Montgomery County Extension
1030 Cumberland Heights Road, STE-A
Clarksville, TN 37040

Name:

______________________________________________________________________________

Address:

____________________________________________________________________________

City/State/Zip:

________________________________________________________________________

Phone:                                                                       Email:

________________________________________  _______________________________

I would like to: (check what applies)

[   ] Volunteer to garden (pull weeds, harvest etc.)
[   ] Donate supplies
[   ] Sign up for CSA (weekly box of vegetables)
[   ] Make a monetary donation to the cause

The City of Clarksville Office of Housing and Community Development, Tennessee State University, The University of Tennessee, USDA and County Governments Cooperating and The Agricultural Extension Service offers its programs to all persons regardless to race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

A sampling of bowls created by volunteers

Large bowls.  Small bowls. Soft muted colors or bright flamboyant tones. each bowls signed by its creator and donated to to benefit locals social service programs in their  fight to end hunger.

Empty Bowls Clarksville 2009 was held Thursday at the Montgomery County Civic Center, and each of those bowls was sold — hundreds of them, raising a total of $8000 to be divided between the Loaves and Fishes Soup Kitchen and Urban Ministries.

“Hope Not Hunger” was theme of the event. For a $15 donation, patrons  could choose a handmade and signed bowl from the hundreds on display; each bowl was places in a small rafia bag. Guests then sat down to enjoy a meal that included a choice of soup (hearty beef vegetable, vegetarian vegetable or chicken noodle), along with chunky bread, a beverage and dessert.

So many choices...

Over the past few months, volunteers have taken the time to create hundreds of  unique and colorful ceramic bowls for this  event; those bowls were stacked in cases awaiting display for the guests. Four hundred tickets to this event were pre-sold.

Members of the APSU Baseball served as ushers and servers for this event. the sponsor list was a who’s who of local business and government.

Napoleon Smith was new to volunteering; Empty Bowls was his first venture. “I plan to do a lot more of it,” he said, adding that he is looking at several opportunities to put his time and energy to work for others.

Loaves and Fishes Director Susan Chapman

Susan Chapman, director of Loaves and Fishes, noted that the soup kitchen now serves 200 people a day, six days a week, with teams of 5-6 volunteers daily, Monday through Saturday, giving five hours of time to prepare and serve a meal to those who are hungry.

Chapman said the Second Harvest organization has allowed Loaves and Fishes to get items they could not get before. Second Harvest has refrigerated trucks to transport perishable food that needs refrigeration, Chapman explain, something that volunteers in cars cannot pick up and transport.

Sponsors for the event include:

APSU Student Art League, City of Clarksville, Fort Campbell federal Credit Union, Clarksville Association of Realtors, Customs House Museum, United way, Excel, F&M Bank, Q108, Lamar, B.R. Miller and Co. Inc, Legends Bank, Grace Community Church, Loaves and Fishes, Eagle 94.3, Hilldale Baptist Church, Beaver 100.3, Sam’s Club, Longhorn Steakhouse, Hodgepodge, Trininity Episcopal Church, Dr. and Mrs. Robert Kasper, Ken Shipley, The Children’s Dentist, The Pottery Room, Evanwood Bakery, United Methodist Urban Ministries, H.O.P.E., Silke’s Old World Breads, Knights of Columbus, Blackhorse Pub and Brewery, Kroger, Food Lion, Forrest Street United Methodist Church, APSU Baseball Team, Jenanie Beauchamp DDS, Party Station Rentals, Mayor Carolyn Bowers, 101st Family Dentistry,  O’Charley’s Riverside Drive, Dan Meadows Construction Company, Phi Kappa Alpha Fraternity, Mayor John E. Piper, Nashville Predators, Clarksville Arts and Heritage Council, Total Package Catering, Governor Phil Bredesen, Jimmy Wayne, APSU Health and Human Performance Club, Stone Rudolph and Henry PLC, Sango United methodist Church Women, and the many volunteers who made this event happen.

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While on active duty as a U.S. Army Chaplain, I appreciated serving, ministry and  working with chaplains who were also assiociated with the same denomination as President Obama.

Already our new president is strengthening the bonds of religion and society and how government, churches, and religious organizations can work together to better community and country. However, there are guidelines and regulations for each to follow to ensure maximum success.

On the campaign trail. President Obama emphasized his Christian faith;  in speeches he connected faith and public policy. For instance, he spoke about the present “faith-based” initiatives. He recognized the value of a partnership between government and religious faith organizations dedicated to improving communities. He is already pledging  and committing to expanding and renaming the faith-based office.

During the campaign, the Montgomery County Democratic Party established a list of 12 goals to be enacted by Obama should he be elected. First on the list was to rebuild the military. Second, to reform the faith-based office and its mission: he’s already discussing its mission.

Here is what we can glean from his present statements: “He explicitly rejects taxpayer-funded evangelism and religiously-based hiring discrimination with public funds.” This gives us reassurance that our tax dollars will not finance specific evangelistic efforts  to save souls.  That’s the mission of donations by church members in offering plates. Proselytizing on our tax dollars is forbidden.

President Obama succintly gives insight into his policy when he says:

“If you get a federal grant, you can’t use that grant to proselytize to the people you help and you can’t discriminate against them — or against the people you hire — on the basis of their religion. Second, federal dollars that go directly to churches, temples and mosques can only be used on secular programs. And we’ll ensure that taxpayer dollars go only to those programs that actually work.“

I give kudos to faith groups who are dedicated to such principles. the Catholics and Lutherans set a high standard in public services without proselytizing. Our own Loaves and Fishes, United Way, and Urban Ministries are giving aid to the disenfranchised without requiring any profession of faith.

President Obama and the Obama family are people of faith and support the mission of serving the public. We, too, can assist by requiring inclusivemness and accountability in the use of our tax dollars by religious organizations.

In summary, we can benefit our needy neighbors and fellow Clarksville residents by recognizing and endorsing the following principles for religious groups receiving tax dollars:

• Groups don’t have a so-called “right” to take in tax money yet still discriminate on religious grounds when hiring staff.
• Ensure that no denomination uses tax dollars for any form of evangelism or religious education.
• Religious schools are part of our American fabric and make a significant contribution to the building of moral character. However, such fine educational institutions are not to be funded with tax dollars.

In addition, I request the following in the beginnings of their new administration:

• Reform of the Justice Department
• Sever ties between fundamentalism and the military
• Do not base  public policy on theology
• Preserve the ban on church politicking

For more information on these issues, read the January edition of “Church and State.”

Volunteer Wanda McMoore brews to first of many pots of coffee for the days meal.

Local volunteers for the January 17 “National Day of Service” turned out at Loaves and Fishes Soup Kitchen to prepare and serve the day’s meal — chili con carne — and accept monetary and food donations for this program, which serves approximately 200 meals a day, six days a week, to Clarksville’s families in need.

Clarksville for Obama coordinated the event, which was designed as part of the President-elect Barack Obama’s commitment to community service. Event coordinator Terry McMoore hosted the event, citing a need for communities to “get back to the basics to make life better for everyone.”

Loaves and Fishes Manager Mike O’Connell was grateful for the outpouring of community support, and accepted a number of monetary donations from the NAACP and the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, along with the stream of food donations.

Day of Service volunteers were a roster of "Who's Who" in the Clarksville community: John Ferguson, Sheriff Norman Lewis, Wanda McMoore, Terry McMoore, Reggie Chapman, Kate Krevel, Tim Barnes, "Shirley", Noah Gurley, Rev. Charles Moreland and Mrs. Gurley.

“Obama himself was very involved with community service as a young man, and his commitment to the concept of this ‘Day of service’ is intended to create more opportunities like for people to become involved,” McMoore said, noting that as ideas ‘come down the Obama pipeline, we will continue to be involved.” McMoore noted that unlike earlier political grassroots organizations, Clarksville for Obama and similar groups across the country will continue to grow and sustain the movement for change that began in the Obama campaign. “There is still a lot of work to be done.”

Sheriff Norman Lewis speaks with Senator Tim Barnes

County Mayor Carolyn Bowers, County Trustee Brenda Radford, Senator Tim Barnes, Sheriff Norman Lewis, City Judge
Charles Smith,  City Councilor Mark Harris and NAACP president and School Board member Jimmie Garland joined a gathering of community and church volunteers to greet donors and visitors, sort donated food, and serve the days meal.

Pat Warner joined  Janice  and Joe Franklin as part of her church’s Team Hope, one of several church teams that regularly volunteers to work in the  Loaves and Fishes kitchen.

“We go out into the community. It’s a way to put our faith in action,” said volunteer Pat Warner.

In the back room, volunteers Reggie Chapman and Noah Gurley helped unload donations and restock shelves. Both young men said their moms were instrumental in their decision to help out.

“My mom told me about this and I thought it was a good thing to do,” Chapman said. Gurley echoed that thought even as he kept on putting groceries away on the Loaves and Fishes shelves.

Photos by Kelly Anne LaPlante

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President-elect Obama started his career by serving Chicago communities struggling with tough economic times. He saw what could be achieved when ordinary people organized and worked together and that idea was at the core of this campaign.

In keeping with the theme that President-elect Obama and Vice President-elect Biden have set for the up coming inauguration, “Renewing America’s Promise”, people across the country have been invited to mark this historic occasion with a renewed commitment to service in their own communities.

During the days leading up to the Presidential Inauguration thousands of grassroots organizations, community groups and agencies will participate in National Day of Service events across the nation.

On January 17th, you can be part of a movement that will stretch from coast to coast, bringing together people from all walks of life acting as one nation, with a common purpose.

The group performs all kinds of music on all kinds of percussion instruments: classical music such Carmina Burana as used in the movie “Excalibur,” rock music such as “Walk Like an Egyptian,” music from the movie “Casper” and real percussion ensemble music using instruments from drums, timpani, gongs and cymbals to bells, xylophones, marimbas and chimes.

“We even do some body percussion,” said David Steinquest, director of the Halloween Concert and professor of music at APSU. Also, there will be special guests: the University Choir, two new faculty members, Emily Crane on violin and Jeanette Zyko on oboe, two of the composers, and a rock-and-roll electric guitar player, Steinquest said.

The hall will be decorated and all the performers dressed in costume. Special lighting will create a mysterious atmosphere, and the mass communication program will provide live video feed.

Admission is two cans of food, which will be donated to Loaves & Fishes, or $3. Tickets go on sale Monday, Oct. 27 in the department of music office, located in the Music/Mass Communication Building, Room 139.

For more information, call the music department, 221-7818.

Volunteers prepare trays of bread for heating and serving

Volunteers garbed in bright purple Loaves and Fishes T-Shirts, decorated the hall on Third Street, and were ready to serve the food that had been “in preparation” for hours.

Susan Chapman, director of the non-profit Loaves and Fishes, said the event “gets better and better each year.” Raising funds is critical to the organization’s success, since “we have had over 200 people to feed on some days,” Chapman added.  The group exists on a mix of grants, public donations and support from local churches and other organizations.

Smart shopping, good networking, and community donations of money and food keep the shelves full, and the day’s menu is often decided at least in part by food donations received.

Chapman credited Janice and David Traxler for spearheading the program and planning Saturday’s Louisiana Cajun event.

From Monday through Saturday, teams of volunteers donate the time from 8-10:30 a.m. preparing the day’s meal, and most shift to a “serving” position, loading up plates, pouring out beverages, from 10:30 a.m. to noon. As an occasional volunteer, I once served meals on day when that Louisiana jambalaya was on the menu, and that was perhaps the most popular meal I’ve ever seen served there.As for Saturday’s meal, I can attest to the amazing aromatic taste of that Cajun rice.

As gas and food prices rise, and budgets seem to shrink proportionately, the lines at this local soup kitchen grow. Saturday’s Cajun night will add a bit more to the budget, which in turn feeds more of Clarksville’s people in need. For  more information on Loaves and Fishes, call 931-645-9020.

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Photojournalist Charlie Woodward and an intern from News Channel 5 visited our campus last week to shoot a feature story for “School Patrol” which airs each Wednesday evening on the 6:00 P.M. news.  Two classrooms, Mrs. Frost’s fourth grade and Mrs. Huggins’ Honors Algebra II, were the focus of the filming.  These reporters were extremely impressed with our school, faculty, and students.  They commented off camera that from their observations while visiting schools across the state, Clarksville Academy is on the leading edge of blending technology with student learning. The scheduled times for airing are:  September 3 at 6:00 P.M. and September 4 at 9:00 A.M. In addition, the story may air on one of the Saturday newscasts.  Please note:  These are scheduled times and are subject to change.School Photo Day: Individual fall photos for all students in grades PK – 11 will be made on Thursday, September 4.  The photographer recommends that students wear colorful clothing. Pullovers or tee shirts with writing on them do not photograph well.  In a few weeks, parents will receive a proof envelope to view with a selection of packages to order if you wish.  Questions?  Please contact the school office.

Seniors sell Smart Cards: Members of the Class of 2009 are selling Clarksville/Montgomery County Smart Cards to raise funds for their class trip.  If you are interested in purchasing a Smart Card, please contact a senior or send $12.00 for each card you wish to purchase to your child’s teacher and the card will be sent to you.  Thank you for supporting our seniors!

Sports passes available: Season passes for all home sports events are on sale in the Business Office for $50.00 each for students or adults.  This will allow the pass holder admission to all home, regular season games.  See Mr. Turnage or Mrs. Henson to purchase your pass.

Magazine sale underway: Last year we had requests from parents to receive magazine sale packets early in order to allow extra time to contact out-of-town friends and relatives. Although the magazine sale officially begins on September 11, the sales packets were distributed early this year.  We hope this allows every family to reach the goal of $100 in sales per student by the final turn-in date of September 23.

Loaves and Fishes fundraiser: Loaves and Fishes, “An Agency Working to Feed the Hungry”, invites everyone to their Louisiana Saturday Night fundraiser on Saturday, September 13th from 4:00 – 7:00 P.M. Tickets are $10.00 per person and are available at the door.  There will be Cajun food galore!!  Carry outs are available.  This agency provides meals for the hungry of Clarksville six days each week.
Clarksville Academy is in need of the following items:

• Gas grill
• Life-size cut out of sports or entertainment figure
• Washing machine
• Clothes dryer2-wheel hand cart

If you have any item listed above that you would like to donate to CA, please contact Bill Turnage in the CA Business Office.

Concert Choir annual sale: The CA Concert Choir is taking orders for Classic Cookie Dough, coffee, and candles through September 8.  See any member of the group to make a purchase.  These purchases will help us raise money for our trip to New York City in the spring.

Fall Festival planning meeting: The annual Fall Festival is planned for October 25th from 10 A.M. until 2:00 P.M.  If you are a room parent, or would like to assist your class with Fall Festival preparations, please join us at the first planning meeting on September 3rd at 8:15 A.M. in the auxiliary gym.

Moms in Touch prayer group: Are you interested in praying for your child or children with other mothers?  A Moms in Touch group of praying mothers will begin meeting soon and will pray weekly for Clarksville Academy and their children.  Please contact Becky Bourne at 931-647-2752 with questions or to say you will join us.

Yearbook news: You may purchase your 2009 Clarksville Academy yearbook at www.jostensyearbooks.com.  Additional information regarding this year’s edition will be published in an upcoming edition of the Monday Messenger.

Dates to remember:

• September 4 – School Photo Day
• September 18 – Chuck E. Cheese Spirit Night
• September 29 – Spirit Week begins

Key Club corner: Key Club will not meet this week. All members (new and old) must pay $20 dues no later than September 12. New members must also pick up two teacher recommendation forms and have them completed and returned to Mrs. White by September 12.

Service Opportunities

• September 5 & 6,  Riverfest
• September 20, Franklin Frolic
• September 27, LBL Clean Up Day
• October 18, Kentucky Kingdom Zone Rally – cost is $30 per person
• October 25,  Fall Festival helpers
• Concessions workers are needed for all home football and volleyball games.

2009 Tennessee Governor’s Schools for 10th & 11th Grade: Applications for 2009 Governor’s Schools are available for 10th & 11th grade students online or in guidance in the following areas:  Agricultural Sciences, Computational Physics, Emerging Technologies, Engineering, Humanities, Information Technology Leadership, International Studies, Prospective Teachers, Science, Scientific Exploration of Tennessee Heritage, Scientific Models & Data Analysis and Arts.  The websites can answer many of your questions or concerns.

The Arts website:  www.gsfta.org.

Due in guidance Oct. 20, 2008: www.tennessee.gov/education/govschools

Due in guidance Oct. 31, 2008: Students in grades 9-12 interested in applying to Teen Court of the Montgomery County General Sessions and Juvenile Court may pick up an application from Ms. Mazzei in guidance or call Danette Woodcock at 931-648-5766 for more info.

Seniors: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) invites you and your parents to an information session on Sunday, October 5, at 3:00 P.M. at Montgomery Bell Academy, Nashville, TN.  For more information, go to http://web.mit.edu/admissions/falltravel.

The Clarksville Police Department is offering an excellent student driver awareness class called STAT (Student Traffic Awareness Training).  It is a “shock and awe” type class designed for drivers and permit holders at least 16 years of age.  If you have a student driver, this class is a must.  The next class dates are September 27 or October 25.  Students can pick up additional information and forms from Mrs. White at assembly or break.

fasting is a sacrifice where a person voluntarily abstains from consuming food or drinking liquids. I grew up in an evangelical church environment that suggested and encouraged regular fasting as a means of spiritual growth.

As a teenager in St. Louis, I accepted the challenge of abstaining from one meal a week, a challenge for a 16-year-old boy with a typical appetite. For me, I purposely opted to abstain from the Friday school lunch. To heighten my appreciation for this weekly event, I retreated to a quiet place in the high school for an hour of meditation and reflection. This discipline became a spiritual growth hormone for me. This sacrifice aided my efforts to a good teen and to say no to the temptations of being a junior in high school.

Upon graduation, this act of discipline was so integrated into my spiritual nature that it continued in college. At Southern Nazarene University, I became a member of the Fasting and Prayer Fellowship meeting on Fridays, an hour of spiritual discipline. I elected the ritual voluntarily and found it to be a means of renewal and sometimes I benefited from a natural emotional high. The end result was resolve, persistence, and steadfastness to finish college and work with the Lord. I know the performance of this prescripted habit enabled me to capitalize on my spiritual resources.

Precipitating these thoughts on fasting was an article in The Upper Room [Mar-Apr 2008] describing how to make thebdiscipline even more profitable to our well-being.

The following is the verbatim experience of another person on an evangelical pilgrimage and how her fasting contributed to her enrichment. She received an epiphany on how to sacrifice even more than missing a meal:

“My 24 hours of fasting, solitude, introspection and prayer were finished. I was mentally and spiritually fulfilled but physically starved. It was time to break my fast. The food before me was one of my favorite meals, and as is my custom before eating, I said a prayer of thanks for this Bounty from God’s earth. Here was the food my body craved, now blessed and ready to be eaten. Yet I could not eat; something was missing. What was it?

“I could not define the problem for some time. Finally my mind focused , and the answer was right in front of me. What would I do with the money that I had not spent for food wile fasting? How would I spend it? What did God want me to do with it? I broke my fast by eating, and as my physical hunger subsided, I spotted a copy of The Upper Room.

“The answer was clear: take the money saved by fasting and send a subscription to The Upper Room to alleviate the spiritual hunger of someone in need of God’s guidance. This way my fast can help spread the word of God and send spiritual encouragement to someone.” — A. Brooks Drake

In college, I never had the money to donate, since I was living “on a shoestring” in my 20s. If you adopt this discipline and wish to donate to a worthy organization, the Loaves and Fishes will use that gift to feed the hungry and provide spiritual encouragement. For spiritual guidance, read The Upper Room, available at all United Methodist Churches.

As a child, peanut butter mixed with honey was a much anticipated treat. Even now my mouth waters as I think of that delicious treat. Today, peanut butter is found in ice cream and candy, and remains a popular snack.

Our granddaughter, Madeline, invited us to be her guests at a grandparents day rally at her school in Evansville, IN. Our visit included a lunch of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with a red apple.

In a food basket prepared for some friends in need, I made sure there was an abundant supply of peanut butter; apart from being just plain good, it’s nutritional, economical and healthy. Packets of this “foods of the gods” is even found in the MREs (meals ready to eat) provided to our soldiers.

Peanut butter sandwiches are easy to prepare and assure parent s that their children are receiving a nutritional meal or snack. Charlotte, mother of a 2nd grader, tells of one such experience with her daughter, Sara.

“Every day I make a peanut butter sandwich for my little girl to carry in her lunch box. Fed up with the same food, she asked ‘ why do you give me butter every day?’ My friends have all different kinds of nice food.”

Charlotte replied:

“Always thank God for what you have. Do you know that children in Darfur, Niger, and the democratic republic of the Congo are starving?”

That night on her knees for bedtime prayers, Sara, gave God a suggestion as to her problem with peanut butter and her mommy. She earnestly pleaded:

“Lord Jesus, please tell mommy to send the peanut butter to the children of Darfur and get me something else.”

At Loaves and Fishes, our local soup kitchen, meals are served to both children and adults, and it is surprising how much the little can eat. They often return for second helpings. especially for the pizza. They never leave hungry at Loaves and Fishes, even when the servers prepare stacks of peanut and jelly sandwiches.

Presently there is a dwindling supply of canned vegetables vegetables to serve on the Loaves and Fishes menu, but the soup kitchen will continue to feed the hungry and disadvantaged of our community with your help. You are invited to donate large jars of peanut butter and large cans of vegetables to Loaves and Fishes to help us in feeding the children of God. For more information, call 645-9020.

Today’s Prayer Focus: Those who are hungry.