"This church has said that our larger vision will be framed and shaped in the coming years by the vision of shalom embedded in the Millennium Development Goals? a world where the hungry are fed, the ill are healed, the young educated, women and men treated equally, and where all have access to clean water and adequate sanitation, basic health care, and the promise of development that does not endanger the rest of creation. That vision of abundant life is achievable in our own day, but only with the passionate commitment of each and every one of us. It is God's vision of homecoming for all humanity."

There was one moment during her investiture sermon when Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori was interrupted by applause -- it was after she said these words.

No surprise, really. Since the vision of God's mission of shalom, of global reconciliation is one that is not only embedded in our deepest beliefs but has swept anew across the entire church. Witness what has happened in diocesan conventions the past few weeks:

*In West Missouri, convention-goers built a cross out of 1,500 popsicle sticks -- one for every child who dies of preventable, treatable causes during an average Sunday Eucharist.

*In Minnesota, an overflow crowd of 80 people crammed into a "Theology and a Pint" conversation about the MDGs at a local brewpub.

*In Spokane, 48 people showed up at two organizational meetings to promote MDG ministry in that diocese.

*In Upper South Carolina, every delegate got a bracelet, a red sticker and a paper plate, with instructions to draw a circle on the plate every time they passed easilly obtainable food and water.

*Several dioceses riffed off North Dakota's idea and had an MDG poster where people could "vote" with post-its for the MDG they felt most passionate about.

*Many, many dioceses (full list coming soon) either reaffirmed their commitment to the MDGs and 0.7% giving from their budgets or jumped on board for the first time.

It is clear the Spirit is moving -- and it is exciting and humbling. God is calling us not just into a mission of social justice but into deeper relationship with each other around the world, relationship where Christ will be borne and revealed.

What we are finding through our presence at General Convention, through the work of EGR people at diocesan conventions and in the incredible MDG work being done in congregations is that the common denominator for success is joy. What is capturing the hearts and imaginiations of people and communities throughout the church isn't a sense of responsibility but a sense of joyful possibility, of incredible opportunity.

The Conventions are the parties, and there is a high that comes from success like God has wrought this fall. But as fun as those are, I think the real joy comes in the follow-up, the grunt work of helping people engage the MDGs not just on a weekend but with their lives.

And that's what we're here for. To help you do just that. To make this mission an everyday joy in your life and to help you spread that joy where you are.

To help you and your congregation and diocese know the deep joy of knowing that God is working through you to bring hope and healing to a broken world.

To know the deep joy of meeting Christ in an unfamiliar face -- and being changed forever by that encounter.

To know the deep joy of having our lives connected to the source of life, our visions connected to THE vision - -God's vision of homecoming for all humanity.

You think the past year has been amazing? Well, God is just getting started!