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What One Diocese Can Do
Bethlehem reaches out to Southern Sudan with "capital campaign for others"
 Bill Lewellis of the Diocese of Bethlehem shares this ground-breaking story.
Bishop Paul Marshall of Bethlehem (PA) had asked Charlie Barebo to help run a capital campaign to develop a diocesan camp and conference center. But, a funny thing happened on the way.
"I woke up one morning in Sudan," said Barebo, CEO of a lake and pond water quality management firm. "It was a life-changing event that has deepened my faith and altered my outlook on this world.''
Barebo was one of four who immersed themselves in the life of Kajo-Keji, Sudan in January. They met with local officials and clergy, teachers, representatives of the Mothers' Union and heard them talk about their priorities and dreams. Within a few months, the diocese launched New Hope, "something unique," Marshall said, ''a capital campaign for others.''
The goal was set at $3.6 million: 75 percent to help the destitute in Sudan, 25 percent to enable parishes to expand projects and develop new initiatives to serve ''the poor among us.''
After a few months of advance gifts solicitation, the ''campaign for others'' went public in September. More than $2.3 million has been raised.
Marshall has led by example, saying experiences in Sudan inspired him to delay his retirement and live more simply so his family could pledge $53,000 to the campaign.
'We are responding to the request of the Diocese of Kajo-Keji for assistance in building the educational and organizational centers that will allow them to provide for their own future,'' he said. ''Through revolving micro-finance funds, enterprising individuals, largely women, will be able to make a new start in a war-torn country.''
Youth leaders in the diocese have pledged to raise $7,000. Fifteen-year-old Katie Kolepp of the Cathedral Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem, will donate her $20 weekly allowance, which means a lot fewer new clothes, she said.
Since 2001, the Diocese of Bethlehem has sent more than $400,000 to Kajo-Keji to provide, in addition to life-saving relief, scholarships, agricultural tools and oxen, and to support primary education and the Mothers' Union ministry with orphans and widows as well as their vocational education projects such as sewing classes that include dress making and embroidery.
This did not happen in a vacuum. Relationships began to develop when Bishop Marshall returned from his first trip to Africa.
'I have always known, intellectually,'' he said at that time, ''of the disparity between what we Americans take for granted and how most of the world actually lives. Seeing it produced a jumble of thoughts and feelings. I was grateful, embarrassed, a little sick, but mostly convinced that it is not possible for a Christian to see this much suffering and not lower his own standard of living in order to help brothers and sisters. I came back with the determination never again to let myself be gulled by our culture into feeling deprived.''
Ten missioners from the diocese have traveled to Africa to meet sisters and brothers on their Kajo-Keji homeland and in resettlement camps in northern Uganda. Some have made the journey several times. All have been deeply affected by their visits.
The bishop and his wife spent five days there in 2005. ''Diana and I baked in a bus for 14 hours,'' he said. ''I knew God wanted my attention. I decided to sacrifice some of my brick-and-mortar dreams. One question intrigued me. Could we dare to have a capital fund drive where we didn't get the money?''
With more than $2 million raised so far, the answer is a resounding "YES!" that hopefully will open the door for other dioceses and congregations to likewise realize big dreams of What One Can Do.
If you'd like to contribute to New Hope, contact Charlie Barebo at 610-965-6018, ext. 210.
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| Diocesan Conventions & the MDGs |
Here's the latest on the MDGs coming out of diocesan conventions across the church.
 The Diocese of Arizona passed a budget including 0.7% for the MDGs (a first for that diocese), as well as a resolution embracing the MDGs and encourating individual congregations to start contributing 0.7% of their annual budgets toward MDG efforts within one year. The convention, which was themed "Into the Regions Beyond" also saw the diocese join in a companion diocese relationship with the Diocese of Western Mexico, joining one it already has with Dar Es Salaam (Tanzania). In addition, three new mission congregations were celebrated -- including a Sudanese mission congregation in suburban Phoenix. Read more about the convention here.
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| Raise Your Voice - Advocacy for MDGs |
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U2charist update! |
 The U2charist (or U2 Eucharist) is one of the most popular ways to introduce people to the MDGs. It's a Eucharist using the music of Irish rock band U2 ... and they're happening everywhere.
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What One Congregation Can Do |
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When is trivia anything but trivial? When it raises more than than $2,000 in one night for the MDGs.
That's what happened in St. Louis earlier this month when Holy Communion, University City held a "Trivia Night" to raise money for two groups working toward meeting theMillennium Development Goals: Episcopalians for Global Reconciliation and Episcopal Relief and Development.
Trivia nights have become very popular in the St. Louis area but may not be familiar to people in other areas. Here's how they work:
Trivia Nights are usually held on Friday or Saturday nights in a church hall, school, or other large gathering space. Players group themselves into teams of 8 or 10 depending on the size of your tables, and the tables are reserved ahead of time (admission fee is $10-$20 per person).
One or more people writes a set of questions, usually grouped into ten rounds with categories like history, T.V., music, science, geography, movies, or sometimes more creative categories. Each round usually consists of 10 questions. The questions are read aloud by an emcee, and each team discusses the questions in an allotted time, having one member of the team record the team's answers on an answer sheet.
You don't have to know a lot of trivia to enjoy the evening, because you're part of a team, and everyone knows something. In fact, you won't believe how much trivial knowledge a table of people possesses!
One or more judges grades the sheets, posting a running total for each team as the evening goes on. The correct answers are read by the emcee after each round is scored. The winning team or teams are usually given a cash prize.
In addition to the main competition, trivia nights are made more enjoyable through raffles, door prizes, sometimes silent auctions, and 50/50 cash raffles. These add to the proceeds as well.
Snacks are usually provided, as are beverages. Local businesses and sports teams can be solicited for door prizes and raffle items, and grocery stores will often donate snacks if asked far enough in advance. So the overhead cost of running the event is minimal. People also often bring their own snacks and beverages to share at their tables. Some trivia nights include cash bars, open bars, or beer, while some (especially if held at a public school) are non-alcoholic affairs.
Trivia Nights are really a lot of fun. They have become so popular in St. Louis that there are sometimes 10 on a given Saturday night posted on the website TriviaNights.net! Schools, churches, and organizations often hold one annually. To plan one, it will probably take several months and a committee of at least 8 people.
On the Sunday morning after the Holy Communion trivia night, Holy Communion rector the Rev. Brooke Myers summed it up by saying "There's probably no funner way to feel stupid!" Our whole church is looking forward to doing it again next year. Interested in running a trivia night and want more information on how to do it? E-mail Lisa Hummel.
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| Quote of the Week |
"I think good mission happens when people recognize their own gifts and then figure out the best place to apply them. This can be a wonderful discernment process. You will do better mission when you are doing something that you can feel good about, not necessarily just doing what someone else perceives to be the greatest need at that particular moment. One size definitely doesn't fit all."
We have lost, for now, a friend, a collaborator and an inspiration, but in Christ we can never be separated. | |
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*Reform the Farm Bill in the Senate -- The Farm Bill is in the home stretch, and this is our last chance to demand our Senators make changes that will eliminate portions deadly to small farmers around the world. 
