For a study guide see page 22.
‘We believe it is important to support
our brothers and sisters
in developing countries.’
practices,” she said, adding, “A dollar spent is a vote cast” for the earth and the human family. Young believes people want to
know how to be responsible con- sumers. “Tey will go out of their way if you make it very easy for them,” she said, noting that word about corporate practices spreads fast on social media. Fair trade products are oſten a
starting point for ELCA congrega- tions. Tese products assure that small-scale farmers are given a fair and dependable price for their goods (coffee, chocolate, olive oil and others) on the world market. At First Lutheran Church, Little
Falls, Minn., the hospitality crew serves fair trade coffee and tea to about 250 worshipers each week. Susan Gust- ner, office manager and lay visitation coordinator, said, “We also have the products available for purchase at cost. We believe it is important to support our brothers and sisters in developing countries in this way.” Is being “socially responsible” a thing? “Absolutely!”
Gustner said. “Anything a person does will have an impact. … If we don’t believe that our world will suffer for it. Our neighbors aren’t just the people in the next house over but [people] on the other side of the world. God calls us to care for one another and for creation.” When serving only fair trade coffee was suggested,
there was no real resistance. Some members even con- tribute to a fund for buying fair trade products. “Our members are sup-
portive of giving a hand to people around the globe. Some have gone on mission trips and see buying fair trade as something they can do on a daily basis,” Gust- ner said. “We all buy coffee anyway—why not be helping
“I don’t think I’ll ever eat chocolate that doesn’t have the fair trade label on it again,” says ELCA pastor David Lose, president of the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia.
COURTESY OF THE LOSE FAMILY
‘That additional 50 percent or more makes an incredible difference to farmers.’
a small farmer while we do it? “We spend
a little more, but it is some- thing we think is worth doing as a mission.” Te women of
St. Paul Lutheran Church in Aber- deen, Md., have their own kiosk on wheels. Made by two men of the congregation, the kiosk goes wherever fair trade items can be displayed—in the narthex on a Sunday morning or in the fellowship hall for a special event. Lutheran World Relief is an important ELCA partner
in making fair trade products available to congrega- tions. Te organization cites Martin Luther’s explana- tion to the Seventh Commandment: “We should fear and love God that we may … help [our neighbor] to improve and protect his property and business.” During a trip to Honduras, David Lose, president
of the Lutheran Teological Seminary at Philadelphia, wrote in a blog: “Knowing a little more about where chocolate comes from and the farmers who work so hard to produce it, as well as seeing firsthand the differ- ence it makes to buy fair trade, I don’t think I’ll ever eat chocolate that doesn’t have the fair trade label on it again. “Typically farmers receive about 4 cents
for every dollar you and I pay for a choco- late bar. Fair trade groups … are able to raise this to 6 to 7 cents on the dollar. While
that is still a small amount, that additional 50 percent or more makes an incredible difference to farmers.” Immanuel Lutheran Church, Seattle, com- bines a monthly “Fair Trade Marketplace” with an “Advocacy Day,” said member Stacy Kitahata. In addition to fair
May 2015 17
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