The Rev. Devon Anderson, executive director of Episcopalians for Global Reconcilliation recently sent an email to the organization’s supporters:
Although the MDGs have been our church’s number one budget and programmatic priority since 2006, the draft budget coming to General Convention actually cut the MDGs line item. Our highest legislative priority is to reinstate the 0.7% line item for MDGs in the budget for the Episcopal Church. More than this, EGR proposes that this line item be increased to 1% as a cost-of-giving adjustment. EGR will work to reinstate the MGDs line item through two venues: the budget process and resolution D019.
To see the entire letter, click Read more.
Dear EGR Board Members, Deputy Friends, and EGR Leadership:
The 76th General Convention will be a defining moment for the Episcopal Church. In it we can recommit ourselves as a church to the MDGs. We will have the opportunity to choose to deepen our partnership with the world’s bottom billion-those that live on less than a dollar a day-or we can choose to back away from them.
At General Convention we can reaffirm, with renewed resolve, the promises we have made as a church to the world’s poorest people. Simply, we can lead this effort anew, calling on all dioceses, congregations and individuals to stand with us. Despite progress we have made, we are not finished.
The world needs us–actually, YOU–more than ever.
EGR is embracing General Convention’s opportunity with anticipation and joyfulness. Please join with us, inviting our church to face this moment with courage and confidence in the abundance of God.
Put MDGs back in the budget-and back in our hearts
Although the MDGs have been our church’s number one budget and programmatic priority since 2006, the draft budget coming to General Convention actually cut the MDGs line item. Our highest legislative priority is to reinstate the 0.7% line item for MDGs in the budget for the Episcopal Church. More than this, EGR proposes that this line item be increased to 1% as a cost-of-giving adjustment. EGR will work to reinstate the MGDs line item through two venues: the budget process and resolution D019.
Two other priorities are to:
1. Encourage all levels of our church to address the global economic crisis by dedicating Lent 2010 to prayer, study and action on the MDGs (D018).
2. Establish the first Sunday in Lent as ERD Sunday (A178).
You can view all these resolutions here: http://gc2009.org/ViewLegislation/
Please help! Give your heart to this mission through some simple actions.
Contact your diocesan deputation TODAY!
• Get their commitments to support these initiatives through their votes and testimonies.
• Ask members of your diocesan MDG network and other justice networks contact deputies, too.
• Let us know you’ve contacted your diocesan deputation and networks. Contact us at e4gred@gmail.com so we can continue to build on your work.
Testify on behalf of the MDGs at General Convention!
• EGR will provide talking points, testifying tips, and connections to our two EGR Legislative Coordinators: Tim Baer and Debbie Shew. We’ll also save you a place in line!
• Hearings will be held in several committees, including the Program, Budget and Finance Committee, which sets the budget.
• If you will testify with us, please contact Tim Baer, our EGR Legislation Coordinator at: tbaer07@gmail.com. He’ll answer questions and provide everything you need.
Follow us on EGR’s General Convention Virtual Booth
• We are re-launching our Web site – www.e4gr.org – very soon. For the duration of General Convention it will be known as the “Virtual Booth.” Though this site you will be easily linked to ERGs presence at General Convention.
• There you will find easy links to stay up to date on news and events through the blog, Facebook page, and Twitter.
• Participate in the new campaign “I’m Crabby for the MDGs”, play virtual Bishop Bingo, or view a noonday speaker.
With your help, we can make a bold and prophetic statement to live the Gospel faithfully through the MDGs, even in this current economic climate when making faithful choices seems to cost us the most. But the bottom billion need us and we have promised them-we have promised God. Thank you for your help in this good and necessary work.
Faithfully, and in God’s abundance,
Rev. Devon Anderson, Executive Director
Episcopalians for Global Reconcilliation
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email: e4gred@gmail.com
web: http://www.e4gr.org