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President's Column: Fulfilling Our Spiritual Mission

Episcopal Relief & Development exists to put our spiritual ideals and moral principles into action — to be the compassionate response of the Episcopal Church to human suffering around the world.

That is why I was so proud and profoundly moved that the 2009 General Convention of the Episcopal Church recognized and honored our efforts both in its formal proceedings and in the many informal discussions I had with deputies and attendees.

In particular, General Convention passed a resolution proposing to “Establish the First Sunday in Lent as Episcopal Relief & Development Sunday” and inviting congregations and individuals to remember and support our life-saving work during Lent through prayer and special offerings, as well as another resolution of Commendation and Celebration for our efforts.

These actions make clear that support for Episcopal Relief & Development is one very important way parishioners can live out our commitment to Jesus and our Baptismal Covenant.

I am especially pleased that we are now officially recognized by the Church during the Lenten season, a time for Episcopalians to reflect and act on the needs of our sisters and brothers. Over the next few months, Episcopal Relief & Development will prepare materials, devotionals and other valuable tools that congregations can use on this special Sunday to engage with the Church’s ongoing commitment to fighting extreme poverty and disease wherever it exists.

This is but one example of the excitement in dioceses and parishes across America for Episcopal Relief & Development. Another is the remarkable success of the Millennium Development Goals Inspiration Fund, which surpassed its fundraising goal of $3 million in less than three years thanks to the outpouring of support from so many congregations and generous friends like you.

Our embodiment of the highest values of our faith and our track record of getting proven results has made Episcopal Relief & Development a place of common ground where Episcopalians come together no matter what differences we might have on other matters. In that sense, we are strengthening our Church as we strengthen the lives of our fellow human beings experiencing poverty, illness, disaster and despair.

You will see more reasons why this is so as you read the articles in this issue of ERD Now. The programs we highlight are especially timely, reflecting our efforts to ease the harsh impact of the global recession on people’s economic opportunities and food supply. As you will note, we are making life better in both a material and spiritual sense, ensuring that our shared faith is a positive force for hope, change and a better future.

Thank you for being in the vanguard of the Episcopal Church’s commitment to healing a hurting world by supporting Episcopal Relief & Development and making a positive difference where it matters the most.

       Yours faithfully,

       Robert W. Radtke
       President