Today, Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) welcomes the Rev. Lynn C. Sanders as the Director of Church Relations. Sanders comes to ERD with a wealth of expertise, particularly at the diocesan and parish levels.
As the Director of Church Relations, Sanders will direct ERD’s programs that serve Episcopal churches and dioceses in the United States. In this role, she will: lead the Speaker’s Guild, volunteers and staff who speak about ERD’s programs to parishes and groups nationwide; oversee the agency’s church programs including youth and annual initiatives; and direct ERD’s developing Volunteer/Service Learning program, a project for adults and youth to spend a week or more at an ERD program site. Sanders will supervise ERD’s Network, a group of volunteers consisting of diocesan coordinators, parish representatives, and seminarian coordinators who actively support and advocate ERD’s ministry.
“ERD is delighted to have Lynn join our team as Director of Church Relations. Lynn will serve as a vital link between ERD and congregations as we partner with parishes around the country to fight poverty and disease and fulfill the Millennium Development Goals,” said Robert W. Radtke, ERD President.
Before joining ERD, Sanders served as Assistant Rector at Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in Austin, Texas. She holds a Master of Divinity degree from Church Divinity School of the Pacific in Berkeley, California, and an MBA. Prior to ordination, she enjoyed a career in business and management consulting in New York. She was an active lay leader at St. Bartholomew’s Church in New York City, and served as a church consultant for the Episcopal Diocese of New York, working with parishes undergoing change.
“Lynn brings a wealth of experience that will be crucial in strengthening our partnerships with parishes in this country and garnering support for ERD’s work around the world,” said Lorenzo Martinez, ERD’s Vice President of External Affairs.
“I am excited to join the ERD team,” said Sanders. “ERD offers powerful, practical ways for all of us in the Episcopal Church to live out the ministry to which we are called in baptism. I look forward to our accomplishing this vital work together,” she said.
Episcopal Relief and Development is the international relief and development agency of the Episcopal Church of the United States. An independent 501(c) (3) organization, ERD saves lives and builds hope in communities around the world. ERD’s programs work toward achieving the Millennium Development Goals. We provide emergency assistance in times of crisis and rebuild after disasters. We enable people to climb out of poverty by offering long-term solutions in the areas of food security and health care, including HIV/AIDS and malaria.
