|
 ONEVOTE'08 Tell the candidates global poverty is your voting issue!
Jesus talked about the poor all the time. He talked about how when we served the poor we serve him. But for all Jesus said, our presidential candidates don't seem to get the picture.
Candidates can get away with that when they are convinced the people don't care. Well, they won't be able to do that for long!
1. Save 15,000 lives a day by fighting HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria.
2. Prevent 5.4 million young children from dying from poverty- related illnesses and 400,000 women from dying in childbirth each year.
3. Provide free access to primary education to 77 million out-of-school children with a special emphasis on girls.
4. Improve the living conditions of vulnerable populations by, for example, providing access to clean water for 450 million people and basic sanitation to more than 700 million people.
5. Reduce by half the number of people in the world who suffer from hunger, resulting in 300 million "fewer" hungry people each year.
Former Senate Majority Leaders Bill Frist (R-TN) and Tom Daschle (D-SD), pictured above, ONE Vote co-chairs, were there to show these issues transcend party politics, and that the 30,000 children who die needlessly each day of extreme poverty are not pawns to play politics with.
For us, it's a chance for us to be disciples in the voting booth, not just at the altar rail.
What Can One Person Do?
|
| Jim Kelsey - Friend, Pioneer, Advocate |
 EGR Northern Michigan diocesan contact Burt Purrington offers this tribute to Bishop Jim Kelsey. As many of you know, one of the Episcopal Church's shining lights, the Rt. Rev. James Arthur Kelsey, Bishop of the Diocese of Northern Michigan, died in an auto accident Sunday, June 3. Jim was a champion of inclusiveness in the Episcopal Church and beyond, a pioneer in mutual ministry, a staunch advocate for the poor, disenfranchised and oppressed and a promoter of the MDGs well before the 2006 General Convention.
The Upper Peninsula is a region in severe economic decline, and the Diocese and congregations regularly suffer budget shortfalls. In the face of these fiscal challenges, Jim made a remarkable leap of faith and (successfully) asked the Diocese to set aside 0.7 per cent of its annual budget as a line item with the recipient(s) to be determined each year by our Justice and Peace Committee.
He also asked each congregation and each parishioner to prayerfully consider making donations of 0.7 per cent of their income to one or more programs consistent with the MDGs.
He believed that the search and vetting processes that go with selecting effective and accountable programs would be not only a learning experience but a transformative one as well. One congregation after another, already operating on a shoestring, has dipped deep in their pockets to do their part to make the MDGs a reality.
|
| More MDG Advocacy!
Raising your voice for the MDGs is only a click away! |
|
|
|
Grab Bag O' MDG Goodies! |
|
We couldn't fit all this cool stuff into one category -- so we're just lumping these together. Have fun!
*The Christian Formation Conference at Kanuga is in full swing right now with the theme "Making Disciples: Healing the World." EGR executive director Mike Kinman and Ruth-Ann Collins from the Church Center are the keynoters. Check out the picture (above) of the cross being made representing the number of children who die each day between breakfast and dinner (10,800).
*Check out the special issue of Vanity Fair on Africa, guest-edited by Bono. It hits newsstands today. The issue looks at the challenge, the promise of the future of Africa and has 20 different covers featuring people such as Don Cheadle & Barack Obama, Desmond Tutu & Brad Pitt, Chris Rock & Maya Angelou, Oprah Winfrey & Bill & Melinda Gates -- and even Bono, Condoleeza Rice & President Bush.
| |
|
|
|
|
What One Congregation Can Do |
Dick Kerner of Church of the Transfiguration in Dallas, shares a "One Congregation" story of MDG engagement that has transfigured him, his church and the people of La Ceiba, Honduras |
The clinic building is in good condition, has 3 examining rooms, a dental room, a pharmacy, reception area and running water and electricity. However, since the US doctor went back to the states in July 2005, the clinic has been closed, because the church does not have the money to hire a doctor, buy meds, etc.
There are over 8,000 persons living in Barrio Suyapa, most very poor. There are many children and to get medical treatment the people either have to walk, take the bus or a taxi to the public hospital or a private physician. Individual resources are almost nil, and many cannot afford either the doctors fee or the cost of any medicines prescribed.
In addition, general health/sanitary conditions among the people, especially the children are at best marginal.
La Ceiba is a city of around 150,000. There is one public hospital and a good number of private physicians. However the cost of seeing the doctor and getting any prescribed meds is very high, to the point that most people go without needed treatment. The level of competence among the health professionals is poor.
Transfiguration has brought US doctors and nurses to the clinic fori the past two years and reopened the clinic for one week. This February our four doctors saw more than 800 patients....with many more who lined up for treatment that couldn't be seen.
These conditions moved me and others to the point where I vowed to do my best to reopen the clinic, including hiring a Honduran doctor, a nurse, supplying medicines and supplies. Although the clinic is a part of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, it will be operated independently, and open to all who are in need.
During the last year the US doctor was in residence she saw about 10,000 patients...so the need is great and urgent.
In addition to direct medical care there is a big need for public health type of education, i.e., washing hands, toilet sanitation, Aid's, etc., which should significantly cut down the incidence of repeat sickness among the people.
We have talked with a very competent Honduran doctor and as soon as we have the needed funds to open for the first year he is ready to start to work. We have estimated an annual budget of $35,000 per year or $100,000 to operate for the first 3 years.
This small project can truly be one that changes and saves lives among those who are less fortunate than we are. I am involved because I have seen the needs and what can be done with just a little help. That's when I thought back to what Isaiah said, "..and whom shall I send, and who will go for us, and I said here I am send me!"...so here I am
|
EGR needs
your support
|
All of EGR's funding comes from the generous contributions of individuals, congregations and dioceses. Please help us keep this movement going by clicking on the button and making your gift to EGR.
|
|
|
*Urge your representatives to vote for the Jubilee Act (H.R. 2634), 
