Outbreak of Grace: Psalm 121

Welcome to Monday in the Pastor’s Workshop!

Last week we were blessed by Psalm 46.  This word celebrated God as our Refuge, Strength and Very Present Help (vs. 1).  It called us to “Be Still” and to “Know” deeply and fully that “The Lord is God”. (vs. 10). 

I hope you had opportunity to move through the creative process with us last week.  But more, I hope you were able to experience Sunday morning worship to see how it all came forward as an offering of ministry.  If not, you still can!  Just check out our website svumc.org, the “see and hear” tab and you’ll find this message, “An Outbreak of Grace”!

This week we’ll continue in our “Outbreak of Grace” series.  We’ll be working with Psalm 121.  This is called the “Psalm of Ascents”.  It invites us to “Lift our Eyes”, knowing that where our eyes look our feet often follow.

Monday is an “Immersion Day”.  It’s a day to submerge in the Scripture.  Let it begin to sink into your mind and heart.

Read Psalm 121 silently.  Repeat.  Then read it aloud.  Repeat that too!  As you read and re-read, Listen.  Listen to the words, the images, the phrases, the cadences.  Listen to your thoughts and imagination.  What is starting to stir?  Whatever it is – write it down!

If you’ve got extra time and energy, Copy the Psalm.  In fact, if you really have extra time and energy, copy it from several translations!  Biblegateway.com is an excellent resource to check out additional translations of a Scripture passage.  In the copying, does this open up any additional insights?

A third and final phase – for those who want to go a “third mile” – is Paraphrase the Psalm.  How would you bring forward the meaning and message in your own words if you were the Psalmist?  Again, any fresh ideas?

Monday is always the day where we open ourselves to the moving of the Spirit as it would open the meaning, depth and power of the Scripture.

I hope you’ve enjoyed your time in the workshop today.  I pray it was productive.  I look forward to learning together how “The Lord is the Keeper of our lives, our going out and our coming in, in these days and forevermore. “ 

Claim the Cross: Follow

"Claim the Cross:  Follow"

 "If anyone would come after me, let them deny themselves, take up their cross and follow me."

                                                                                          Matthew 16:24

Prayer:

Almighty God, you who continually call your people to yourself, draw us by the power of your Holy Spirit into such a warm and binding relationship that we may faithfully follow you all the days of our lives. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Scripture readings:

Sunday:            Matthew 16:24-28

Monday:          John 1:35-46

Tuesday:          Luke 9:57-62

Wednesday:    Matthew 10:34-42          

Thursday:         Luke 18:35-43

Friday:              Matthew 19:16-30

Saturday:         John 10:22-30

Hear my prayer, O Lord, those I offer for myself and for others.

_________________________, __________________________, _________________________, __________________________, _________________________, __________________________,

 Almighty God, down through the ages you have called out men and women to be your faithful servants. You now call us to join that great company who seek to follow you. Grant us a clear vision and the strength to fulfill our service to you. In the name of Christ. Amen.

Reflection:

 What a crazy way to start a religious movement. In Matthew's gospel, these words of Jesus follow right after Jesus has explained to his disciples that he must return to Jerusalem and Peter, aware of the danger, tries to talk him out of it. They argue and Jesus rebukes him "Get behind me Satan."

Then Jesus goes further and tells his disciples that to be his followers they must deny themselves and take up a cross. Who wants to do that? Talk about a radical, difficult message. With self-denial being a central tenant of Christianity, how did the church ever survive and grow? Is it possible that self-denial and taking up a cross transcends day-to-day life? Is it possible that in those rare moments that my concern for others overtakes my concern for self that something divine is happening? Is it possible that when I take action to help those Jesus seems most concerned about (the sick, the poor, the marginalized), that I am finding life? Are those moments the times that I am actually drawing closer to Christ?

I am going to ponder these questions through the rest of lent and beyond.

P.S. I'm writing this the day after President Trump has declared a national emergency and Sunday corporate worship has been cancelled at Spring Valley for the first time in my memory. My understanding is that this reflection will be circulated a little over a week from now. By then who knows where the current crises will stand. Whatever has transpired my guess is that I will be struggling not to let self-concern prevent me from living true life.

- Paul Ledbetter

Outbreak of Grace - Prayer

Outbreak of Grace – Saturday, March 21, 2020

Welcome to Saturday!  I’m glad to be with you on the final day of weekly preparation in the “Pastor’s Workshop”.

What’s the last step before Sunday? 

The step of Prayer. 

Prayer is what opens us to the Presence and Power of God that is with us throughout the whole process of preparation and in the moments of proclamation.

As I get ready for Sunday my Prayer is 3 fold:

1.     I pray for you and all the listeners.  Specifically I pray that whatever blessing of God I’m seeking to proclaim on any particular Sunday, I pray that blessing for you, upon you, within you. 

2.     I pray for myself as the preacher.  I pray that I would be fully prepared and faithful in my proclamation.  I pray that I go forward as a servant with an offering, trusting in God to be at work as we join in worship together.

3.     I pray that God will be God in great and grace-filled ways in and through the time of worship today.  I pray that something special and spiritual is happening in the hour that will touch and transform our lives and our world today.

So specifically, for Psalm 46 what is my prayer?

1.     I pray that in the midst of everything that is shifting in the world around you and swirling in your heart within you, that in the midst of everything, the Spirit of God would continue to draw you into the unshakeable Center of God’s Love for you in Jesus Christ.  I pray that you would “Know that I (the Lord) am God!”  (vs. 10) I pray that you would experience this solid Core of Compassion as your Refuge, your Strength, your Hope and your Peace.

2.     I pray for myself that I might be more sensitive to the disruption and the fear that is so pervasive and at the same time turn to and draw from that same inner Stability and Strength that I am calling you into.   I pray too that I might be clear and strong in bringing that hope.

3.     I pray God would reveal God’s self as the Refuge, Strength, and Present Help to all the world in these days, that everyone might know in fresh, new ways that the Lord is God.

That’s my Prayer.  What’s yours?  What do you pray for yourself, your family, your friends, our community, our country and world, our church and your preacher?  Jot down your thoughts.  Keep them in prayer in the days ahead as we move into Sunday worship.

Prayer:  Jesus, you have said to ask anything in your name and you would do it. (John 14:14).  And so we ask and pray that You would be working in our lives and our world according to your great and gracious will.  Help us experience afresh and anew, even and especially in these difficult times, that you are God, God of these days and God always, God who is our Refuge and Strength, our Help and Hope, through Jesus Christ our Lord.  In whose name we pray.  Amen

Outbreak of Grace - A Sermon Tells a Story

Glad to be with you today as we continue our time together in the "Pastor's Workshop."

This week we've been working on Psalm 46. Our focus - "Comfort in the midst of Chaos."

Monday, we listened to the Scripture. We read and re-read the whole Psalm, silently and aloud. We listened for words, phrases and images that caught our attention and inspired our "holy imagination". We jotted these down.

Tuesday, we looked at the Psalm. We examined its structure. We tried to discern some of the Psalm's "big pieces" and how they fit together. We noted these.

Yesterday, we looked at the Context for the Text, the World into which this Biblical word was and is being spoken. We received a very brief historical background and reflected on the experiential setting of this Scripture. Again (as always), we recorded our thoughts.

Today, using your thoughts and notes from the last three days, we start to tell a story. A sermon is a spiritual journey that (like a story) has a beginning, middle and end. It has a "from", a "to", a "thru" and a "through."

A sermon starts by connecting with how we experience life. It is vulnerable to and explores some of the deeper, more troubling aspects of that experience. Even as it descends into the tension of trouble, the sermon proclaims a word of faith and hope. In that word of faith and hope, the listener receives (or is reminded) of something/someone (our God) we believe in. More than that, a sermon calls us to do something to live into what we believe.

What might this journey look like for Psalm 46?

Look back into your notes from Wednesday. As we look into our "world", we need to be speaking on our individual and collective experience of the Coronavirus. It truly has been a surreal time in so many ways. Your own notes detail your personal trials.

More than that, the Biblical words of "shaking", "roaring", "trembling", "tottering" invite us to dive deeper into our feelings and our fears. Certainly as you speculate what might be ahead it becomes easy to fall into an abyss.

In the midst of those inner voices of worry and woe, we hear the call and command of faith, "Be Still!" Know who it is who truly holds your life. "Know that I am God!" Let that faith lead you towards an unshakeable assurance that "shall not be moved". (vs.5) 

 Let that faith be your refuge, your abiding place. In that security and stability find inner spiritual strength. This inner strength is God's Comfort. Let it lead you beyond the chaos surrounding the coronavirus into how you can be a blessing to others even in these troubling times.

And as we live into this outbreak of grace we experience over and over the recurring "chorus" and benediction of this Scripture - "The Lord of Hosts (the God of the Angel Armies) is with us, The God of Jacob (an ever- faithful covenant God) is our refuge."

You get a sense of the story as it weaves and moves. The Sunday morning message will take us on this journey with more fullness and nuance.

Tomorrow we'll look into a final step in the "Pastor's Workshop". I think it is the most important part of the whole week. It's the step that brings power to the message. (So you'll have to check back in).

More than checking in tomorrow, I encourage you to turn to our website Sunday at noon (or after) to share in a full hour of sanctuary worship. The music, prayer and message will be a blessing that grounds you in God's grace and provides a foundation of faith for whatever you'll face in the week ahead! I look forward to this time with you. In that blessing, we'll "see" you on Sunday at svumc.org!

In Christ,

Paul

Outbreak of Grace - Pastor's Workshop

Welcome to the "Pastor's Workshop". As I shared on Monday my hope is to welcome you into a creative process which happens each week as a pastor seeks to discern and give voice to a word from God, based in the Scripture as the word of God.

This week we are working with Psalm 46. It is a Psalm of Comfort in the midst of Crisis.

On Monday we Listened to the Text. We read and re-read the Scripture (Psalm 46) silently and aloud, noting words, phrases, and images that spoke to our minds and hearts.   We prayed for spiritual inspiration (a "holy imagination") as we went into this weekly time of creating.

On Tuesday we Looked at the Text. We examined the Scripture's structure. What are the parts of Scripture? How do they fit together? What is the function of each in advancing the overall message of faith?

On Wednesday (today) we look at the Context of the Text. What is the World that the Word is spoken into? How does understanding the Context and the World shape and sharpen the message of the Text and the power of the Word? We seek to look into the Context of the Text and the World of the Word both historically and existentially.

Historically:

As a background for Psalm 46 we need to know that Jerusalem was considered the city of God built on the holy mountain of the Lord. It is the location where Abraham is to have offered up Isaac, where David established the political and religious capital of the united Israel, and where Solomon built the Temple. Yet even as Jerusalem held this supreme status, it endured sieges from many enemies throughout the centuries. The images of "nations raging", "kingdoms tottering" and "wars, bows and spears" mentioned in Psalm 46 were never far from anyone's mind.

Existentially:

Verses 2 and 3 of the Psalm picture a world convulsing with an earthquake. The earth is changing, mountains shaking and waters roaring and foaming. Everything that seemed immovable and certain is now unstable and insecure. The whole of what constitutes life is now in tumult.

In the midst of this upheaval the powers that be are in an "uproar" (verse 6). Nations don't seem to know exactly what to do. "Kingdoms" can't keep up with the demands and they "totter" under the weight of the crisis.

Verses 8 and 9 raise the images of "desolation" and "warfare."

Your Reflection:

As you reflect on the Scriptural images lifted up in Psalm 46 how do they give expression to what you are experiencing in our world and in your life? Jot down your thoughts.

As you find yourself moving through this time of tumult in what ways do you find yourself getting caught up in the crisis? Again, jot down your thoughts.

What "threats" are you experiencing in these days? How do the words of the Scripture give voice to them?

What "fears" are you experiencing these days?   How do the words of the Scripture give voice to them?

As you think about the "threats" and "fears", how do they impact and amplify the call to "Be Still and Know that I am God"? Jot down your thoughts.

As you do all of this, know that as you get more in touch with the trouble and trial a text is speaking into you can experience its power more fully and clearly.

Prayer:

O God of Calm and Peace, who would speak into our every "lifequake" and crisis, fill us with an assurance of your Presence and Power in these days through your Holy Scripture. Let us hear again the call to "Be Still" and know that in your love in Christ we find how faith rises above fear.   And even as we would know your peace, let us be those who pass your peace to so many who are caught up in the anxiety and fear that permeate our world. Lord, we lift this prayer to you, in the name of the One who is our Refuge, Strength and Very Present Help, Jesus Christ our Lord.   Amen

In Christ,

Paul

Outbreak of Grace - Psalm 46

PSALM 46

 God is our refuge and strength,

    a very present help in trouble.

2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change,

    though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea;

3 though its waters roar and foam,

    though the mountains tremble with its tumult. Selah

4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,

    the holy habitation of the Most High.

5 God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved;

    God will help it when the morning dawns.

6 The nations are in an uproar, the kingdoms totter;

    he utters his voice, the earth melts.

7 The Lord of hosts is with us;

    the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah

8 Come, behold the works of the Lord;

    see what desolations he has brought on the earth.

9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;

    he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear;

    he burns the shields with fire.

10 "Be still, and know that I am God!

    I am exalted among the nations,

    I am exalted in the earth."

11 The Lord of hosts is with us;

    the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah

Read the Psalm (and if you have time handwrite or type the Psalm).

See how the Psalm is structured.

• There is an Opening Statement about Who God is --- Our Refuge, Our Strength, Our Very Present Help in Every Time of Trouble.

• Then there is our Response of Faith - "Therefore I shall not Fear"

• There are 3 major sections each outlining a different scenario of disaster.                   

  • A Seismic Shift in life (a "LIfequake", an Earthquake), where what you thought was immovable (the mountains) became molten and the world around you (the sea) was in total tumult.(vs. 2,3)

  • The Powers that Be (the Nations and Kingdoms) seemed helpless and

  • lashed out (they rage and totter). (vs.6)

  • A Desolation akin to a War threatened. (vs. 8)

• And In each of the scenario of disaster there is an outbreak of grace.

  • Verse 4 witnesses to a "River", a flowing, whose streams feed the unshakable dwelling of God. God is in the midst of this abiding place, from the start of every day, to be a solid rock ("the city shall not be moved').

  • Verse 9 speaks of a God whose will is Peace (who makes wars cease, breaks the bow and shatters the spear).

• There is a climaxing Call to Faith in verse 10. It summons us in the midst of all the Disasters to Take a Breath, Step Back, Stop being Carried Away by Fear

  • "Be Still and Know that I am God. I will be Exalted among the nations. I will be Exalted in the Earth"

• Then, there are the "Choruses" - the "Selahs" that in a regular rhythm repeat the powerful word of faith:

  • "The Lord of Hosts (the God of the Angel Armies) is with us

  • "The God of Jacob", our faithful, covenant God is our Refuge (our Abiding Place).

Questions to Consider:

• As you read this Psalm how does it describe our present world as we wrestle with the Coronavirus? What are the connections you make?  (How do images like "Seismic Shift", "LIfequake", "the mountains falling into the midst of the sea" speak to you?) . These are very powerful images describing a very tumultuous time. Jot down your thoughts.

• How do the Affirmations of Faith in this Scripture speak to you? (The Lord is my Refuge, my Strength, My Present Help in this time of trouble) Jot down your thoughts.

• How is the climaxing Call to Faith - "Be Still and Know that I am God" - an anchor point for you in your own experience of upheaval? Repeat that statement several times (3 or 4 for good measure). How does that help? Jot down your thoughts.

• How do the choruses - the regular rhythms of grace - (The Lord of Hosts - the God of the Angel Armies - is with me. The God of Jacob - our covenant faithful God- is here to protect me). How do they offer security, peace of mind, reassurance in the midst of your fears? Jot down your thoughts.

Prayer for today:

Gracious God, you who are my Security, my Rock, my Help; By the flow of your Holy Spirit, (that River which makes glad the city of God) draw me ever more deeply into an outbreak of your grace. When I am afraid, let me hear your Voice calling "Be Still, and Know (deep within) that you are God, Lord above all". In that unshakeable reality lead me into all the tumult of today in your ever sustaining Strength, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

In Christ,

Paul

An Outbreak of Grace

Tuesday of last week we at Spring Valley were crafting our response to the Coronavirus Outbreak.   To put it very simply our policy consisted of: Wash your hands, Keep your distance, Snacks are no longer provided.

By Friday we were cancelling church and postponing all meetings and activities.   Not having church on Sunday was a surreal experience for me.  And this was just in our congregation. When you look at the rest of the country what happened here was so mild.  

Cases of the Coronavirus exploded around the country.  The stock market plummeted.  Sports on every level were suspended.  All extra endeavors were cancelled. Bars and restaurants were shut down. Travel bans were put in place.  A national emergency was officially declared.

I know that in your personal life you also experienced dramatic change of seismic magnitude. 

Some have compared this past week to the time right after 9-11. It’s like overnight “our world” became a different and far more dangerous place.

Where do we go for a word of comfort when all seems chaotic?  Where do we turn to hear a voice that speaks peace into moments of panic?

For generations people of faith have turned to the Psalms as a wellspring of hope.  They have experienced in these hymns a spiritual word from God that has “restored their souls”.

And so during these tumultuous days, I invite you to join me in opening our minds and hearts to the sustaining strength that the Psalms bring.

I am going to welcome you into the “Pastor’s Workshop” as I creatively work through the week in crafting each Sunday’s message.  Several times during the week I will be posting on our Website reflections on the upcoming Sunday message.  If you would want to personally receive these as an email I’d be glad to include you in that communication as well.

In the “Workshop” you’ll be invited to prayerfully open the pages of the Scriptures.  We’ll listen for a word of God from the word of God.  We’ll seek to give voice through our fallible words to the voice of truth and hope that would speak to our human spirits by God’s Holy Spirit.  

It will be a creative time.  And, as with all creativity, it won’t always be clean, clear and crisp.  To be honest sometimes to get to the “promise land” on Sunday I have to “wander in the wilderness” during the week.   

The series during this season of the Coronavirus is called “An Outbreak of Grace”.  As we go through this time my hope is that whether or not a message gets preached on Sunday, you get an opportunity during the week to explore spiritual insights and have worshipful moments that provide blessings day by day.  

As  we begin “Outbreak of Grace” we’ll start with an “anchor” psalm of spiritual comfort.  (And how hard it is to find “comfort” is in these days.) The word “comfort” literally means “strong with”.   Psalm 46 opens like this, “God is our refuge and our strength, a very present help in time of trouble.”  To experience how the Psalmist leads us into a deeper dimension of the strength here for us in our faith … that’s the outbreak of grace we’ll be looking into this week.

In the midst of these fearful times, staying linked not only electronically but also spiritually is critical.  Remaining connected with one another and with God is essential.   In that gift of support and sustaining strength that God gives in the Holy Spirit, I look forward to journeying through these next weeks together with you.

A Next Step In Psalm 46:

A step of Listening -

Read Psalm 46 in its entirety. 

Read it again, aloud.

Read it again, aloud with emphasis and feeling.

What words, images, feelings stick in your mind? Write these down in a notebook.

For your meditation, a Great Hymn of Faith:

“ A Mighty Fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing; our Helper he amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing.  For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe; his craft and power are great and armed with cruel hate on earth is not his equal.

Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing, were not the right man on our side, the man of God’s own choosing.  Dost ask who that may be?  Christ Jesus it is he; Lord Sabbaoth his name, from age to age the same, and he must win the battle.”

“A Mighty Fortress”, Martin Luther

Pause and Pray for our church, our community, our country and our world.  Ask God to be our “present help” in this time of trouble.  Ask God how you can be a “present help” to another in need in your neighborhood.

Updates on Coronavirus

In light of the rapidly changing response to the Coronavirus outbreak, we wanted to provide you with an update regarding SVUMC Worship, Sunday School, and Preschool. We will not be holding Worship or Sunday School this Sunday, March 15. We are taking this step in the interest of everyone's health, in a spirit of collaboration with the public health efforts of Dallas County, and in cooperation with a request from the Bishop's office. Additionally, we will be postponing meetings until the risk subsides. The Preschool will be following the lead of RISD regarding school closures. If RISD does not reopen on March 23rd (following our Spring Break), we will not reopen on the 23rd.

Even as we take this step we want to support everyone spiritually in these difficult days. In that effort:

1. The Worship Service Bulletin, Sermon notes, and Lenton Devotionals will be available online on our website Monday. Also, printed copies will be available at the office and Welcome Desk.

2. Besides the message, we will also have service music from Bert and John online on our website.

3. The office will be open and follow our regular hours.

4. The Sanctuary will be open for prayer on Sunday morning and during our business hours.

5. We will be working at getting a quality live stream worship experience in place as quickly as possible.

We will be monitoring our response in an ongoing way. Also, please stay tuned through the Behold Newsletter as well as here on Facebook for updates.

As we move through these difficult days we do so together as a church family and as a people of faith. We do so trusting in God as our Refuge and our Strength. Psalm 46 is a great word for these times. In that truth of God's Word and the grace of Christ's love, we advance ahead at Spring Valley.

In Christ - Paul

Claim the Cross

March 1—First Sunday in Lent

“Claim the Cross”

“The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are being destroyed. But it is the power of God for those of us who are being saved.”           1 Corinthians 1:18

Prayer:

Almighty God, I desire to take refuge in you. Keep me from the snares of the world and protect me. Give me faith to trust you as those who have gone before trusted in the knowledge that you were their protector. Amen.

Scripture readings:

Sunday:             1 Corinthians 1:17-25

Monday:           Mark 8:31-38

Tuesday:           1 Corinthians 2:6-13

Wednesday: Psalm 145           

Thursday:         1 Peter 2:4-10

Friday:                Colossians 2:15-23

Saturday:         Psalm 34:1-10

Hear my prayer, O Lord, those I offer for myself and for others.

_________________________, __________________________, _________________________, __________________________, _________________________, __________________________,

For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross.

Colossians 1:19-20

Reflection:

In verse 18 Paul divides the world into two groups of people.

The 1st sentence focuses on “those who are being Destroyed”.  In other translations, the words perishing or headed to destruction are used instead of destroyed.   The point of the 1st sentence is that those being destroyed are destined for eternity apart from God, as an ungodly, unsaved people…

The 2nd sentence focuses on “those who are being Saved”.  Implying by Gods word and power that those being saved are destined for an eternity of sharing in God's glory, as Believers…

To the first group—those being destroyed—the cross of Christ is "folly." The original Greek term used here is mōria, the root of the English word moron. Paul is saying that to the unsaved world, those who preach the gospel look like morons. Also, Greek and Roman cultures believed in all kinds of gods. It wasn’t Atheism in claiming the message of the cross to be foolishness. It was because Jesus Christ was rejected by His own people as Messiah and crucified on a cross. From a Pagan perspective, this was no kind of god to worship.

So, let us consider that The Cross of Christ was not foolish.

The second group - those who are being saved – due to their faith in Christ, the cross is understood to be God's most powerful act.  God sacrificed His Son Jesus for all human sin.  Jesus, in spite of limitless power and authority, gave up His life to cover the sins of those who were “being destroyed“.  Those who trust in Christ understand that without that powerful act, we would be lost and without hope.  Those who don't know the power of God are lost if they only rely on themselves or other men… It is those of us that come to know what and who we really are and most importantly, whose we are, that as Believers in Christ, we are destined for an eternity of sharing in God's glory - beginning here and now.  Amen

Robert Blome

Christmas at SVUMC

SVUMC Honored at RISD School Board Meeting

Spring Valley UMC was recognized at the monthly Richardson ISD School Board meeting on Monday, November 4th for our church’s efforts in supporting the RISD’s High School Snack Locker initiative to combat student hunger.

RISD Board Member Kim Caston had recently addressed Spring Valley about this project and our congregation responded generously with gifts of over $2,600 as well as food donations. 

In addition, the Missions Committee approved an additional $1,000 donation to help jumpstart this project.

On hand for this honor and to present the check to Richardson ISD were Rev. Paul Gould and Missions Committee member David Smith, who has worked extensively on both the Snack Locker project and with Network Ministries’ Mobile Food Pantry, which also works with RISD schools to alleviate hunger. 

Rev. Paul Gould and David Smith are pictured with RISD Superintendent Dr. Jeannie Stone (far left) and RISD Board member Kim Caston (center) along with other RISD Board members. SVUMC was recognized for its support of new RISD initiatives to eliminate student hunger.