(A178) Establishing the First Sunday in Lent as ERD Sunday

EPISCOPALIANS FOR GLOBAL RECONCILIATION TALKING POINTS

for MDG-Related Resolutions

EGR has three top legislative initiatives at the 76th General Convention: A178, D018 and D019
There are many other legislative initiatives which EGR wholeheartedly supports and will advocate to pass, specifically those surrounding just economy, and unsustainable debt in the developing nations.

A178: Establishing the First Sunday in Lent as ERD Sunday

Background
In 2008, our Presiding Bishop designated the first Sunday in Lent as ERD Sunday and advocated for an annual celebration of ERD’s role in our collective mission to seek and serve Christ in all persons.
Since that time, six dioceses have submitted resolutions to General Convention to establish this practice across the church (in the form of several “C” resolutions) and over 30 dioceses officially observe ERD Sunday on the first Sunday in Lent already. This initiative enjoys widespread support as a set-aside Sunday to recognize and celebrate ERD.

Talking Points

Our church, at General Convention 2003 and 2006, placed peace and justice as expressed through the Millennium Development Goals at the top of our programmatic and budget priority list.
ERD is our church’s relief and development agency – the “on-the-ground” ministry in far-reaching places across the globe to alleviate extreme poverty and preventable disease.

Designating a special Sunday for ERD would provide the church opportunities to:

•   Celebrate the reality that when we as individuals combine our resources, prayers, and intentions through ERD we can make significant change in the world
•   Learn about – and delight in – the work of ERD which is saving lives on a daily basis on our behalf as a church
•   Draw attention to the needs of the “bottom billion” of the world who live in extreme poverty.
(over)
•   Raise our voices together in worship through song and prayer in giving thanks for God’s abundance and reminding ourselves of our baptismal promise to “strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being.” ERD Sunday can remind us that one way to be responsive to this promise is to participate in ERD’s ministry.
•   Designate a “loose plate offering” on ERD Sunday for the ministry of ERD
•   Lend our own organic creativity to new ways of observing this Sunday across the generations and sharing it with each other

(A178) Establishing the First Sunday in Lent as ERD Sunday

Referred to: Prayer Book, Liturgy, and Music

Resolved, the House of ______ concurring, That this 76th General Convention of The Episcopal Church dedicate the first 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 any costs incurred by the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society to implement this action shall be reimbursed by Episcopal Relief and Development, provided such costs are approved by Episcopal Relief and Development in advance.

EXPLANATION

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, which, as the relief and development arm of The Episcopal Church, works globally to alleviate hunger, fight disease and strengthen communities.

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 Board of Episcopal Relief and Development believes that a Resolution of General Convention designating the first Sunday of Lent as Episcopal Relief and Development Sunday would focus the church’s attention on the important work of healing a hurting world.

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