At God’s Table: Food Justice for a Healthy World

Ecumenical Advocacy Days’ 2013 National Gathering in Washington, DC focused on fighting injustices in the global food system and the reauthorization of the U.S. Farm Bill

Friday, April 5 – Monday, April 8, 2013

View EAD 2013 Speaker videos on our speaker pages and worship videos on our worship page.

Over 700 Christian advocates gathered at the 11th annual Ecumenical Advocacy Days to seek Food Justice for a Healthy World! In a world that produces enough food for everyone, EAD explored the injustices in global food systems that leave one billion people hungry, create food price shocks that destabilize communities everywhere, and undermine God’s creation. At God’s Table, all are invited and fed, and the poorest in our midst are given a special place. Together we sought the abundance and equality that we find reflected in the biblical image of God’s great banquet table (Exodus 16:16-18 & Luke 14:12-24). Inspiring speakers offered a faith-based vision for fair and humane food policies and practices, along with grassroots advocacy training, all culminating with Monday’s Lobby Day on Capitol Hill.

EAD 2013 followed in the wake of national elections, a new Congress, a lingering Farm Bill debate, and devastating droughts and floods, all with lasting consequences for our society and world. April 5-8, 2013 was a critical time to raise faith voices in support of ending hunger, improving nutrition, creating more just and sustainable food systems and protecting God’s creation – and advocating for a “Faithful Federal Budget.”

SCHEDULE

View the National Gathering schedule and program book.

LOBBY DAY

View and download resources for EAD's Lobby Day.

Recent News

EAD 2013 Ask Effort Continues as Congress Debates Farm Bill

- May 9, 2013 – WASHINGTON - The U.S. Senate’s and the U.S. House of Representatives’ Agriculture Committees are expected to mark-up their respective versions of the U.S. Farm Bill very soon – beginning May 14 and 15! EAD advocates are strongly encouraged to contact their Representative and Senators to continue advocacy efforts and relationship building that began during EAD’s 2013 Continue Reading

A Wider Circle Extends Gratitude to EAD Participants

- April 18, 2013 – WASHINGTON - As part of Ecumenical Advocacy Days’ 2013 National Gathering focusing on food justice education and advocacy, EAD’s Director Douglas Grace called upon participants to “build together the image of God’s great banquet table as found in Luke 14:12-14.” EAD began with a blank table and slowly filled it to overflowing as part of the Continue Reading

Scenes From EAD 2013 Day 4 (Lobby Day) – April 8, 2013

Scenes From Day 1 | Scenes From Day 2 | Scenes From Day 3 On Monday, April 8, 2013, hundreds of Christian advocates headed to Capitol Hill to urge Congress to pass a Farm Bill that promotes food justice and ends hunger for all.

Scenes From EAD 2013 Day 3 – April 7, 2013

Scenes From Day 1 | Scenes From Day 2 | Scenes From Day 4 Sunday, April 7 was a busy-but-enriching day at the 2013 National Gathering – encompassing morning and lunch plenaries, issues and advocacy skills workshops, preparation for Lobby Day, and capping Dinner Banquet. Rep. James McGovern of Massachusetts’ second district addressed the banquet on our moral responsibility to feed the Continue Reading

Scenes From EAD 2013 Day 2 – April 6, 2013

Scenes From Day 1 | Scenes From Day 3 | Scenes From Day 4 Saturday, April 6 was a busy day for the 700-plus Christian advocates gathered to explore the injustice in global food systems that leave one billion people hungry, create food price shocks that destabilize communities everywhere, and undermine God’s creation. The day began with a policy plenary, “Missing at Continue Reading

Scenes From EAD 2013 Day 1 – April 5, 2013

Scenes From Day 2 | Scenes From Day 3 | Scenes From Day 4 More than 700 Christian advocates gathered for the first evening of the Ecumenical Advocacy Days 2013 National Gathering in Washington, D.C. The evening featured an opening celebration and keynote sermon by the Rev. Dr. Barbara Lundblad of Union Theological Seminary, as well as an opening reception sponsored Continue Reading

Film Screenings Slated for EAD 2013

- April 1, 2013 – WASHINGTON – Ecumenical Advocacy Days is pleased to announce five film screening options during EAD 2103, “At God’s Table: Food Justice for a Healthy World.” Friday, April 5 4:00 – 5:00 pm Two Film Screenings about Torture and Solitary Confinement: The National Religious Campaign Against Torture (NRCAT)will show two short films following NRCAT’s strategy session Continue Reading

Denominational Gatherings Slated for EAD 2013

- March 30, 2013 – WASHINGTON – Each year at EAD, various denominational gatherings occur during the weekend. Below is a listing of denominational sponsored events occuring at EAD 2013: Disciples of Christ & United Church of Christ Join United Church of Christ and Disciples justice advocates for dinner and fellowship on Saturday, April 6, beginning at 5:30 pm in the Continue Reading

EAD National Gathering Ritual to Include Donation to D.C.-based ‘Wider Circle’

- March 29, 2013 – WASHINGTON - As participants prepare to gather At God’s Table for EAD’s 2013 National Gathering Opening Celebration on Friday, April 5th at 7:00 p.m., organziational leadership is asking them to bring an item of tableware to be donated to a Washington D.C. anti-poverty organization “A Wider Circle.” As part of the upcoming weekend of education and Continue Reading

EAD Releases Lobby Day and National Gathering Materials

- March 27, 2013 – WASHINGTON – EAD is please to announce that the Program Agenda Book and Lobby Day “Ask” Resources for EAD’s national Gathering, April 5-8, 2013, are now available online. In addition, EAD wishes to highlight the pre-event Orientation Session on April 5 at 4:00 pm, and to note that a Lobby Day Resource Room will be Continue Reading

Rep. Jim McGovern Confirmed as EAD Banquet Speaker

- March 22, 2013 – WASHINGTON - Ecumenical Advocacy Days (EAD) is pleased to announce that Congressman Jim McGovern has been confirmed as the keynote speaker for EAD’s annual dinner banquet on Sunday, April 7 during EAD’s 2013 national gathering, ”At God’s Table: Food Justice for a Healthy World,” at the DoubleTree Crystal City Hotel, just across The Potomac River from the Continue Reading

Oxfam America to Sponsor Lunch Plenary at EAD 2013

- March 8, 2013 – WASHINGTON - Ecumenical Advocacy Days (EAD) is pleased to announce that Oxfam America will sponsor the Saturday Lunch Plenary at EAD’s 2013 national gathering, “At God’s Table: Food Justice for a Healthy World,” April 5-8, 2013. The lunch plenary, titled, “Land and Food Justice: Managing Our Natural Resources to End Hunger and Achieve Justice Around the Continue Reading

EAD National Gathering Exhibitor Space Sold Out

- March 7, 2013 – Due to overwhelming response, all exhibitor space for the EAD 2013 National Gathering in April has been SOLD OUT. We are no longer able to accept any additional exhibitor requests. Guidelines and related information for exhibitors are still available here.

EAD Early Registration Ending Soon – Register Today and Save

- March 6, 2013 – Early registration ends March 15 for EAD 2013, “At God’s Table: Food Justice for a Healthy World.” Up until that date, you can take advantage of the early registration rate of $180. If you haven’t registered yet, be sure to do so today to take advantage of this savings. While doing so, be sure to Continue Reading

Church World Service Highlights EAD Impact with Promotional Videos

- February 27, 2013 – WASHINGTON - Ecumenical Advocacy Days is please to offer two outstanding promotional videos prepared by Church World Service as we prepare for EAD’s April 5-8, 2013 National Gathering. Church World Service is a major sponsor of EAD, and we thank them for this gift. Watch the videos below and help EAD get the word out by sharing with friends through email, Continue Reading

EAD Announces 2013 Lobby Day Congressional “Ask”

The U.S. Farm Bill: What It Is, Why It’s Important – February 25, 2012 – WASHINGTON - Ecumenical Advocacy Days is pleased to announce that the U.S. Farm Bill will be the focus for the 2013 Congressional “Ask” that nearly 1,000 EAD advocates will take to Capitol Hill for the Monday Lobby Day of “At God Table: Food Justice for A Continue Reading

Lenten Reflection from EAD Director

- February 13, 2013 – Ash Wednesday Dear Friends of Ecumenical Advocacy Days, Lent is a season for introspection, reflection, and for a spiritual commitment to Christ’s sanctifying mission and ministry of justice and peace. As we begin the Lenten journey today, I invite you to spend time in reflection on EAD’s 2013 Theme and Biblical Guidance, and to consider, Continue Reading

EAD Workshop Presenter Interviewed on CNN

- February 7, 2013 – WASHINGTON - EAD 2013 speaker, Saru Jayaraman, Co-Founder and Co-Director of the Restaurant Opportunities Centers United and the Director of the Food Labor Research Center at the University of California, Berkeley, was featured this morning on CNN’s Starting Point about her new book Behind the Kitchen Door. Saru will speak during two EAD workshops, “Working and Continue Reading

Ecumenical Advocacy Days Announces Slate of Speakers and Workshops for 2013 National Gathering

- February 6, 2013 – WASHINGTON – Ecumenical Advocacy Days for Global Peace with Justice (EAD), a movement of the ecumenical Christian community, has announced over fifty advocacy and policy workshops for its 2013 National Gathering ”At God’s Table: Food Justice for a Healthy World.” In addition to a slate of plenary sessions, workshops, and worship, EAD has prepared young adult Continue Reading

Women of Faith for the 1,000 Days Movement Becomes National Sponsor of EAD 2013

December 19, 2012 WASHINGTON - In this Advent Season when we reflect on Mary’s Song of Praise to the Lord (Luke 1:46-55), Ecumenical Advocacy Days (EAD) is pleased to announce that Women of Faith for the 1,000 Days Movement has joined the ranks of fifty plus denominations and national faith-based advocacy organizations as sponsors of the EAD’s national gathering, April 5-8, Continue Reading

EAD Celebrates Thanksgiving with Call for Food Justice; New Website and Communications Strategy

November 20, 2012 WASHINGTON - During a week where we sit down together at the Thanksgiving table, Christian awareness reminds us that At God’s Table, where the least are given preference (Luke 14), we are called to seek Food Justice for a Healthy World. As we give thanks for the many blessings God has bestowed in our lives, EAD advocates Continue Reading

EAD Welcomes Three New Ecumenical Partners to its Mobilization for Advocacy

November 2, 2012 WASHINGTON - Ecumenical Advocacy Days for Global Peace with Justice is pleased to announce three new sponsors to its advocacy mobilization for justice, peace and integrity of creation. Strengthening EAD’s voice and joint Biblical witness, The Christian Reformed Church, The Community of Christ, and Christian Connections for International Health join a total of fifty-four U.S. denominations, religious congregations, Continue Reading

EAD Encourages Commemoration of World Food Day

October 12, 2012 WASHINGTON - On October 16, World Food Day, join the global movement to end hunger by making a commitment to attend EAD 2013, “Food Justice for a Healthy World” on April 5-8, 2013. Be a part of the solution by registering today for EAD 2013 where you will join nearly 1,000 Christian advocates “At God’s Table!” Register HERE! As you prepare for Continue Reading

EAD Announces 2013 National Gathering Focus on Food Justice

August 17, 2012 WASHINGTON - God’s loving abundance is highlighted throughout the entire biblical story. This is especially true with food. Whether it is God feeding the Israelites with manna in the desert (Exodus 16) or Jesus’ call to invite all to the Great Banquet (Luke 14:12-24) there is enough to eat at God’s Table. As inheritors of this tradition, the Continue Reading