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9/15/08
On September 25, 2008, the United Nations will hold a Special Session to determine what the world still needs to do to realize the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015. The MDGs were developed by the international community in 2000 as a set of benchmarks to halve rates of global poverty. One year past the half-way point, there is still much work to be done to achieve the MDGs.
The importance of achieving the MDGs was highlighted at the Lambeth Conference in July/August 2008. Anglican bishops worldwide took part in the Lambeth Walk of Witness for the MDGs as a call to all members of the Anglican Communion to do their part to reach these life-saving goals. In response, the Provinces of the Communion are calling for a day of prayer, fasting and witness on September 25.
Episcopal Relief & Development is doing its part to reach the Millennium Development Goals. Its MDG Inspiration Fund, a partnership with the Executive Council of the Episcopal Church and Jubilee Ministries, aims to raise $3 million by the end of 2009 to promote health and fight disease in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean. So far, the Fund has raised over $2 million. A bulletin insert about the Fund asking for the continued partnership of congregations across the country to reach these goals has been prepared for churches to distribute on Sunday, September 21, in recognition of the United Nation’s Special Session.
“Episcopalians across the country clearly recognize the urgency of reaching these goals and creating a more just world,” says Rob W. Radtke, President of Episcopal Relief & Development. “We urge them to do their part to make them a reality by supporting our MDG Inspiration Fund.”
Episcopal Relief & Development is also working in partnership with Episcopalians for Global Reconciliation (EGR) and the Episcopal Public Policy Network (EPPN) to highlight the significance of the Special Session and the call of the Provinces of the Communion. EGR is encouraging Episcopalians to pray, fast and witness on September 25. EGR urges Episcopalians to speak out with their voices –by participating in online advocacy in support of the MDGS– and with their dollars –by giving the money that they would have spent on the meals they skipped, or however much they can give, to the MDG Inspiration Fund.
"Living our faith is about amendment of life—Praying, Fasting and Witnessing. It is about connecting our lives with the lives of those living in extreme poverty. This is what Christ calls us to do,” said the Rev. Mike Kinman, Executive Director of Episcopalians for Global Reconciliation. “We hope participating in this Day gives people a taste of what one can do every day to follow Christ in this mission and also shows them the power of what one Church can do through a fantastic, lifesaving program like the MDG Inspiration Fund.”
Episcopal Relief & Development is the international relief and development agency of the Episcopal Church of the United States. As an independent 501(c) (3) organization, Episcopal Relief & Development takes its mandate from Jesus’ words found in Matthew 25. Its programs work towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals. Together with the worldwide Church and ecumenical partners, Episcopal Relief & Development strengthens communities today to meet tomorrow’s challenges. We rebuild after disasters and empower people by offering lasting solutions that fight poverty, hunger and disease, including HIV/AIDS and malaria.
