R08-7 A Resolution Establishing a Sunday in Lent as “Episcopal Relief and Development Sunday”
Resolved, that the Diocese of Southern Ohio annually dedicate, as selected by the Bishop Diocesan, any of the first three Sundays in Lent as “Episcopal Relief and Development Sunday” and that congregations and individuals be encouraged to support Episcopal Relief and Development’s life-saving work through prayer and a special offering that will help heal a hurting world, and be it further
Resolved, that the Diocese of Southern Ohio, through its Synod Delegates submit the following resolution to be considered and adopted by Province V, and be it further
Resolved, that the Diocese of Southern Ohio, through its Deputation support the submission of the following resolution to the 76th General Convention of The Episcopal Church, meeting in Anaheim, California, July 2009:
RESOLVED, THE house of _(Deputies or Bishops)______________concurring, this 76th General Convention of The Episcopal Church dedicate any of the first three Sundays in Lent as “Episcopal Relief and Development Sunday” and that congregations and individuals be encouraged to support Episcopal Relief and Development’s life-saving work through prayer and a special offering that will help heal a hurting world.
Presented by:
Jon B. Boss, ERD Diocesan Fund Coordinator, 76th General Convention Deputy & Province V Synod Delegate
Contact: jbboss@fuse.net
Richard E. Tuttle, Associate ERD Diocesan Fund Coordinator
Paul Rank, Chair, The National and World Mission Commission
Explanation:
In 2008, the Presiding Bishop designated the first Sunday in Lent as “Episcopal Relief and Development Sunday” and as an annual celebration of Episcopal Relief and Development’s role in our collective mission to seek and serve Christ in all persons.
The Episcopal Church’s ongoing commitment to fight poverty and disease around the world is lived out in a variety of ways. Advocacy with our government for the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals is one vital way. Another is through the ministry of Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD), which, as the relief and development arm of the Episcopal Church, works globally to alleviate hunger, fight disease, and strengthen communities. Formerly known as the Presiding Bishop’s Fund for World Relief, this major outreach arm of The Episcopal Church began with an idea suggested by members of the Diocese of Southern Ohio during World War II in response to the refugees displaced by the devastation underway in Europe.
Impact on formation and mission in the Diocese of Southern Ohio:
The 131st (2005) Annual Convention designated the last Sunday after the Epiphany as “Appalachian Ministries Sunday.” Designation of any of the three following Sundays as “Episcopal Relief and Development Sunday” helps reinforce annually that our call to help others is both nearby and far away.
Financial and Program Impact Summary:
Budgetary Impact: No cost to the Diocesan Operating Budget. Congregations that choose to use the Sunday Bulletin Inserts provided by Episcopal Relief & Development will have a small cost associated with duplicating those inserts.
Program Impact: Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) enjoys the routine support of many individuals and congregations in our diocese each year. As expected, the number of contributors increases significantly in times of national or international tragedies due primarily to the publicity of those events, and the awareness that Episcopal Relief and Development is “our” way of responding to those needs. That is the “relief” side of ERD’s ministry. The other is “development’ and much of that focus is on a response to the Millennium Development Goals. Sustained effort by ERD at “healing a hurting world” requires sustained financial support. An ERD Sunday provides an opportunity to reinforce that need, and to reinforce that ERD’s work is not just responding to emergencies. The ERD Diocesan Fund Coordinators are responsible for keeping our congregations informed, and for coordinating with the work of the National and World Mission Commission
5 comments:
From the Cincinnati meeting at Christ Church, Glendale:
Question: Has the Presiding Bishop not already designated a Sunday for this?
From the Columbus Deanery:
• Over $85,000 collected as of August 2008 from DSO
• Resolution to be presented at General Convention 2009
From the Dayton Deanery:
• Jon Boss noted that this resolution aims to bring attention to the development, rather than the relief, portion of Episcopal Relief and Development. The resolution stipulates a Sunday during Lent be set aside to give prayers and offerings to Episcopal Relief and Development.
• Currently, the language designates that one of the first three Sundays in the Lenten season be used for this purpose in part because some congregations already have a practice of using the first Sunday for Appalachian ministries.
• Mr. Boss agreed to make himself or other staff members available to speak to congregations about ERD.
Passed with amendments (bold indicates addition, italics indicates strike-thru):
R08-7 A Resolution Establishing a Sunday in Lent as “Episcopal Relief and Development Sunday”
Passed as amended
Resolved, that the Diocese of Southern Ohio annually dedicate, as selected by the Bishop Diocesan, any of the first three Sundays the fourth Sunday in Lent as “Episcopal Relief and Development Sunday” and that congregations and individuals be encouraged to support Episcopal Relief and Development’s life-saving work through prayer and a special offering that will help heal a hurting world, and be it further
Resolved, that the Diocese of Southern Ohio, through its Synod Delegates submit the following resolution to be considered and adopted by Province V, and be it further
Resolved, that the Diocese of Southern Ohio, through its Deputation support the submission of the following resolution to the 76th General Convention of The Episcopal Church, meeting in Anaheim, California, July 2009:
RESOLVED, THE house of _(Deputies or Bishops)______________concurring, this 76th General Convention of The Episcopal Church dedicate any of the first three Sundays the fourth Sunday in Lent as “Episcopal Relief and Development Sunday” and that congregations and individuals be encouraged to support Episcopal Relief and Development’s life-saving work through prayer and a special offering that will help heal a hurting world.
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