Let’s make it simple: every day tens of thousands die because of the lack of clean water. Children, women, and men around the world struggle every day to meet this basic need.
Some facts about water in our world today:
- More than 1 billion people still lack access to clean water
- Each day women and girls walk an average of 3 miles to find water for their families
- Over 4,000 children die daily from diseases and parasites from dirty water
These statistics can be overwhelming.
They can also call us to action.
And let’s make that simple, too. We gather “Living Water” offerings – pocket change, piggy bank coins, cash, and checks. Then we give 100% of those offerings to organizations that dig wells, build cisterns, install purifying systems, meet crisis needs, and things like that, wherever they are needed. (We also give money to our local food banks and nutrition programs for the children of low-income families.)
Our goal is to collect $3 per person per week to fight the pervasive hunger problem that confronts our world, dealing with immediate needs and providing lasting infrastructure. Over the last 6 years those offerings have totaled over $600,000. Over the last 6 years we’ve brought water, clean water, to communities in Tanzania, Uganda, Bangladesh, Mexico, Nicaragua, Haiti, Ghana, the U.S. Gulf Coast, India, Ethiopia, Honduras, and more.
Our reasons for doing this are simple, too. It’s our call as Christians to care for those in need, to pour out our concern in ways that make a difference. That’s really what we mean by “Living Water” – it is faithful compassion pouring out in positive action. Its source is faith, its destination is hope.
Pick up an offering box in the narthex and continue to gather your change - a special processional offering is given on the first Sunday of each month. If you want to write a check, make the check payable Trinity Lutheran Church and mark LIVING WATER clearly on the memo line. Place your check in one of the ELCA World Hunger envelopes found in your pew and place it in the offering basket during the offertory.
Living Water
is a partnership of
Trinity Lutheran Church, Lynnwood, WA and
Edmonds Lutheran Church, Edmonds, WA
"Out of a believer's heart shall flow rivers of living water."
John 7:38b
In this section:
"Those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty."
John 4:14a