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November, 2010
PRESIDENT'S COLUMN:
Healing a Hurting World for All of God's Children
Africa is a vast and diverse continent that holds a deep place in my heart and is at the core of Episcopal Relief & Development’s work to heal a hurting world. It is a place that has some of the worst levels of poverty, hunger, disease, strife and dislocation to be found anywhere. Yet despite the extraordinary hardships they face, the people I meet always astonish me with their spirit, intelligence, energy, optimism and selflessness.
It is also home to many of our closest friends and most treasured partners, something brought home to me in August when I led a delegation of Episcopal Relief & Development and NetsforLife® staff members to the second-ever All Africa Bishops Meeting in Entebbe, Uganda.
In total, I have been to Africa six times this year, and on each visit, I gain a deeper appreciation for why our work there is so vital. So with this issue of ERD Now devoted to Africa, I wanted to share with you some of these lessons.
First, the Anglican Church is strong and deeply embedded in most African countries. In nations torn apart by war, violence or a breakdown of civil society, it is often the only institution that can act to help, save and protect people. This makes the church more essential than ever in the Sudan, where a referendum on independence for the southern half of the country raises the specter of renewed fighting.
Our partners, Africa’s Anglican dioceses are uniquely able to identify needs, provide assistance and empower people in the most efficient, impactful way possible. In addition, a major aspect of our work is to help build their capacity to act — and that pays long-term dividends for the church as an institution, for our faith, and for the people they serve.
Second, because Africa is on the front lines of global human suffering, it is a place where our mission to achieve the Millennium Development Goals has heightened urgency. As a result, our programs incorporate integrated development strategies designed to impact multiple goals at once. For example, our NetsforLife® program partnership not only helps achieve Goals #4 and #6 — to reduce child mortality, and to combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases — it also promotes gender equality and empowers women (Goal #3) because communities of women organize together to participate in the program and receive training.
Third, there is a pervading sense of hopefulness throughout Africa, no matter what obstacles people face. That makes it all the more important that we support their efforts not only financially, but with our friendship and our prayers, as well.
I hope this issue of ERD Now helps you feel this bond with our brothers and sisters in Africa, and understand that each and every one of us possesses the ability to help them transform their lives for the better. I also hope it inspires you to participate in the NetsforLife® Inspiration Fund as a wonderful vehicle for Episcopal Churches in America to organize themselves for concerted action to save and improve lives in Africa.
Together, we can — and we are — healing a hurting world.
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Ghanians Make History to Save Lives
Either way, the first-ever Ghana net hang-up was a high point for Episcopal Relief & Development's NetsForLife® program partnership - and, more importantly, it was a triumph for the people of Northern Ghana and the Anglican Diocesan Development & Relief Organization (ADDRO). In a one-week period from May 3-9, 2010, 17,781 volunteers hung 655,369 insecticide-treated nets throughout this malaria stricken region, providing potentially lifesaving protection for nearly two million pregnant women and children under age five in Northern Ghana. read more |
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Episcopal Church Organizes for Inspiration
This is the driving force behind the NetsforLife® Inspiration Fund, recently launched by Episcopal Relief & Development with the enthusiastic support of the Episcopal Church, which is pledging 0.7 percent of its annual budget to fight malaria and renew its commitment to the Millennium Development Goals. read more |
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The Power of Partnerships: Beekeeping in Kenya
To support Mary and others like her, Episcopal Relief & Development is working with its longtime partner, Inter Diocesan Christian Community Services (IDCCS), on an integrated approach to community development in Kenya: providing training and equipment to enable them to keep bees and produce honey. Providing the equipment and technical training for small businesses like beekeeping is one of the greatest ways to spur economic development. It builds a skill base in the community, unleashing human capacity and enabling people to transform their lives themselves. read more |
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Give a Gift. Lift a Spirit. Heal a World.
Gifts for Life  Episcopal Relief & Development's Gifts for Life catalog offers you a special way to share the joy of giving during the Christmas season. Purchase a gift in honor of a friend or loved one through this unique gift catalog and not only will your gift directly impact the lives of those in need, it will help entire communities break the cycle of poverty. Give Now! |
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Double Your Impact
with our Matching Gift Challenge Now through November 30, any donation made to Episcopal Relief & Development will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $500,000. This means a total of up to $1 million for relief and development programs in the places that need them most. Give today and double the impact of your support!
$35 = $70
$50 = $100 $200 = $400 Don't miss this opportunity to DOUBLE your impact and help break the cycle of poverty.  |
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Bishops Blend: Coffee and Tea with a Difference
 This Christmas, enjoy Bishops Blend gift boxes! Bishops Blend, a premium line of coffees and teas offered by Episcopal Relief & Development and Pura Vida, is triple-seal certified Fair Trade and organic. It's great for home, office or church, and makes a great holiday gift as well. Let your friends and family know about this great-tasting way to change the world one cup at a time. Order gift boxes today on our website at www.er-d.org/BishopsBlend. |
