The Anglican Deacon's Bench

Koinonia Day 2

2010-11-14T03:30:00.000-08:00

Saturday, November 15

Koinonia, Day 2. It starts at 9am. WOW! I could sense the presence of God’s spirit in the room. Sitting at the back table I could watch the different tables with the participants and how they we responding to the talks and the conversations at the table. I was also moved by being part of the prayer team that went into our small chapel to pray for each speaker before and after their talks. The music was outstanding, and again, often I felt tears on my checks as I could worship God in this very powerful way.

The talks were wonderful and right on target. Then came the evening where we gathered in chapel to worship and then provide an opportunity for those who wished it to come to a healing team for prayers for healing. I was asked to be with my friend, Pete on one team. Those who came to us for prayer moved me deeply. I wanted to take away their tiredness, their pain and hurts, but I know that’s God’s job, not mine. My role is to vocalize God’s concern for them and to join my prayers with God’s for the relief of their pains and hurts.

Fr Doug decided to end the day with an informal “rite III” Eucharist. In this setting, besides being the “deacon of the mass” I could also worship.

Following the service I talked with one of the participants who I have been praying for and talking with for a while. This person was “slain in the spirit” at one of the healing station. This person didn’t realize what had hit them in that healing session. I called over another member of the healing team to help explain the experience. It moved me deeply to see God’s action so powerfully in this person.

Koinonia, Day 1

2010-11-14T03:03:00.000-08:00

Friday, November 14, 2010

Koinonia started today. There are around 25 participants. I was moved by the stories many of them told in their introductions of themselves. The music lead By Scott Gardner and included my friend Ron Kohl, Jeremy Rudacille, Jeff Hartnett (Fr. John Hartnett’s son) with Dan Lemley on drums and joined by Michele Rudacille on flute was very moving. It felt wonderful to be singing what is often called “praise music” in community again. Of course any kind of music that praises and give glory to God, even if it was written thousands of years ago, can be considered “Praise Music.”

I am anxious for Saturday to hear the talks, to sing and to talk with people, as they encounter God in this new and special way.

The Prodical Son

2010-11-14T02:51:00.000-08:00

Thursday, November 11

The gospel reading for today was from Luke’s re-telling of the parable of the “Prodigal Son.” In Kairos we learned that there was a better name for this story that Jesus told, and it would be the “parable of the Loving Father.” As I read it at Morning Prayer, my eyes filled with tears because the images that aroused in me reminded me of persons I know living today, and even countries like my own. How far many of us have strayed squandering the wealth of the land and people that God has graciously given to those who came before us and to our own generation. Our current economic crisis felt in many ways around the world, mostly in sovereign debt, and here in the USA with the housing bubble, foreclosures, liar loans, the raise in employment, and the resulting personal bankruptcies. Have we reached the point that we are willing to say “We will go back to our Father and tell him that we have sinned against him and heaven and are no longer worthy to be called his children?” For the sake of political correctness we removed prayer from schools, took down your ten commandments from many public buildings, spread a gospel of profit only without ethics and morality, that there was no longer a need for God in our society. We have misused your creation that you put us in charge of. We have not taken care of our brothers and sisters here at home and around the world, who are hungry, thirsty, strangers, naked, sick and in prison. We had a chance through the Millennium Development Goals, but we spent our resources on wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. We spent our children’s and grandchildren’s money (through increased debt) on what we perceive to be our needs of today.

We know how the original parable ends in the gospel, because the Father seeing his returning son, far off in the distance ran out to him, and rejoiced that his son had returned to him, brought him back home and declared a celebration. The key to this parable is humility, followed by repentance and then finally forgiveness. It’s a story about God’s grace, unearned and undeserved that is always there if we chose to live into the divinity that he has offered us through Jesus Christ. It’s not too late for us to go home. It begins when we recognize that we have not been living in God’s favor, not because he has not given it to us, but because we have chosen not to accept it and live by it. I pray that we may wake up soon like the prodigal son, and realize how far we have gone from being in relationship with our Creating, Redeeming and Sanctifying God. It’s time to accept God’s favor towards us, and live into that high calling that he has given us, at whatever the cost. I can only make that decision for myself, but I will start on the road back home. Is there anyone who wants to join me?

God comes first

2010-11-10T04:34:00.000-08:00

Tuesday November 9

Today’s gospel reading (Luke 14:25-35) is a difficult one for me. In it Jesus says “Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple.” It’s one of those quotes from Jesus that I would just as soon pass over and forget, or excuse it as an error in translation. But I remember preaching on this same verse several months ago, and at that time I was inspired to point out that what Jesus was saying is that God has to be first in our lives, before mother, father, wife and children. Of course these relationships are very important, but they all derived their meaning from our relationship to God first. Where does our love and sacrifice come from that we experience with those around us. Isn’t Jesus the best example of agape love? As a disciple of Jesus, he provides the model for how I should be living my life. So, loving God comes first, and through that relationship the love I receive is then available to give to the others I encounter daily in my life.

“Love is the answer” . . .God’s love for us comes before anything else.

A new beginning

2010-11-10T04:00:00.000-08:00

Monday, November 8 2010

Beginnings: Fr. Doug and I have agreed to start a daily journal meant to be aware of God’s presence in our daily lives and to publish that journal on our blogs.

A note before I begin: As a vocational Deacon, my ordinations vows require me to “interpret to the Church the needs, concerns, and hopes of the world.” That is a pretty broad statement, but it provides a lens through which I view the ministry that God has called me to serve in. Consequently, I read Holy Scripture through that lens and I look for comparisons in our world today so that I may bring an interpretation of current events to the Church for awareness and possible action.

The daily office for today begins a series of Old Testament reading from the Book of Joel. We are not sure when Joel lived, or the date of authorship.

I have never read Joel seriously before, but this book records a description of a locus invasion, a call to repentance (for Judah), and salvation in the coming “Day of the Lord.” Today’s reading is the beginning of the book and a records a terrible invasion of locusts and the impacts on the farmers. Joel also states that It’s a call to wakeup to the destruction happening around them. As I read this, I immediate thought about the continuing destruction of our economy, the raising number of people who are losing their homes to foreclosures, the rising number of those who are being laid off from work and the increasing number on unemployment. How are we as Christian people supposed to respond to our brothers and sisters in these times of increasing need? How can we help others in our neighborhoods and communities? I would suggest that we have an opportunity, especially as we approach the holiday season, to provide assistance to those in need through Metropolitan Ministries, ECHO, Angel Tree, Meals on Wheels and other such programs. Joel has issued a “wake up” call to those around him. I am reminded that same “wake up” echoes down through the ages to us as well.

Blessings, Gary

Saturday Feb 28 - MDG #4 - Reduce Child Mortality

2009-02-28T04:05:00.000-08:00

For Saturdays during Lent I have asked you to meditate on the mortality of infants in the world today;

Fact: A child born in a developing country is 13 times more likely to die within the first five years of life than a child born in an industrialized country. Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for about half the deaths of children under five in the developing world.

Isn't that astonishing? Every one a child of God who due to malnutrition and rampant disease (many diseases we have preventative medicine in the west) is not given the chance to live a full life.

Target 1:
Reduce by two thirds, between 1990 and 2015, the under-five mortality rate

Where are we?

World wide, deaths of children under 5 years of age declined from 93 to 72 deaths per 1,000 live births between 1990 and 2006. That certainly is progress, but we are still left with a staggering number of deaths among those under 5 years old - most of which preventative medicine and medical care that we have in the west could take care of.

However our goal is reduce the 91 by 2/3 (61) or 31 deaths per 1000 by 2015. We have 6 years left and much to accomplish.

I ask you to remember the plight of the newly born in your prayers and to consider making a donation to any respectable child heath oriented group that is working towards improving the health of children under 5.

I also ask you pray the following prayer daily:

Most loving God,
as your desire for mercy for the poor is unrelenting,
may we be unrelenting in our pursuit of mercy for all;
as your compassion for the suffering of the poor knows no limit,
may our hearts overflow with compassion for all;
as you long for justice for the poor,
may we strive for justice for all.
Open our eyes to the structures of oppression from which we benefit,
and give us courage to accept our responsibility,
wisdom to chart a sound course amid complexity,
and perseverance to continue our work until it is finished.
Breathe your life-giving Spirit afresh into your Church
to free us from apathy and indifference;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Thank you, Deacon Gary

Thursday February 26 - MDG#2 Achieve Universal Primary Education

2009-02-25T18:58:00.000-08:00

As a continuing Lenten meditation on the MDG’s, today we will look at Achieving Universal Primary Education.

Target 1:
Ensure that, by 2015, children everywhere, boys and girls alike, will be able to complete a full course of primary schooling

Recent Status

Globally, 570 million children are enrolled in school. The number of children of primary school age who were out of school fell from 103 million in 1999 to 73 million in 2006. In that year, primary school enrolment in developing countries reached 88 per cent on average, up from 83 per cent in 2000.

In sub-Saharan Africa, the net primary school enrolment ratio has only recently reached 71 per cent, even after a significant jump in enrolment that began in 2000. Around 38 million children of primary school age in this region are still out of school.

In Southern Asia, the enrolment ratio has climbed above »» 90 per cent, yet more than 18 million children of primary school age are not enrolled.

"Projections suggest that without further acceleration, 58 out of the 86 countries that have not yet reached universal primary education will not achieve it by 2015. In all regions, inequalities in access to education are a major barrier to reaching Goal 2. The children most likely to drop out of school or to not attend at all are often girls and those from poorer households or living in rural areas. For example, recent estimations show that 25 per cent of children of primary school age in rural areas of the developing world are out of school, compared with 16 per cent of children in the same age group living in cities."

Please see http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/2008highlevel/pdf/newsroom/Goal%202%20FINAL.pdf

Achieving Universal Primary Education is an important step in a country’s move towards economic development. I ask you to pray for the children, parents, teachers and school administrators that all children may have a opportunity for a primary school education. The poorest children are affected the most and children from rural areas.

As part of your Lenten devotions I ask you to pray the following:

Most loving God,
as your desire for mercy for the poor is unrelenting,
may we be unrelenting in our pursuit of mercy for all;
as your compassion for the suffering of the poor knows no limit,
may our hearts overflow with compassion for all;
as you long for justice for the poor,
may we strive for justice for all.
Open our eyes to the structures of oppression from which we benefit,
and give us courage to accept our responsibility,
wisdom to chart a sound course amid complexity,
and perseverance to continue our work until it is finished.
Breathe your life-giving Spirit afresh into your Church
to free us from apathy and indifference;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Thank you.

Ash Wednesday - Eradicate Extreme Poverty and Hunger

2009-02-25T03:19:00.000-08:00

In your devotions today I ask you to meditate on the plight of our poor. MDG Goal number states: Eradicate Extreme Poverty and Hunger.

Target 1:
Halve, between 1990 and 2015, the proportion of people whose income is less than $1 a day. (yes this includes 1.3 BILLION brothers and sisters)

Target 2:
Achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all, including women and young people (given our current world-wide economic downturn, this goal becomes increasingly more difficult - but we must keep it in prayer and a realistic target to continue to work towards)

Target 3:
Halve, between 1990 and 2015, the proportion of people who suffer from hunger

Recent news on this goal can be found at:

http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/poverty.shtml

Please remember that although the faces we see regarding poverty seem to be African or Asian, we too have our poor in this country and the current economic times are pushing more people over the poverty line. Some who were able to support their families last year are now without jobs. Some have lost their homes and others who were renters are on the streets because the owners have defaulted on their mortgages.

Please keep in your prayers for today the plight of the extreme poor. Ask God to enlighten you on how you may help. Yes, one person can make a difference.

Please add this prayer to your devotion today:

Most loving God,
as your desire for mercy for the poor is unrelenting,
may we be unrelenting in our pursuit of mercy for all;
as your compassion for the suffering of the poor knows no limit,
may our hearts overflow with compassion for all;
as you long for justice for the poor,
may we strive for justice for all.
Open our eyes to the structures of oppression from which we benefit,
and give us courage to accept our responsibility,
wisdom to chart a sound course amid complexity,
and perseverance to continue our work until it is finished.
Breathe your life-giving Spirit afresh into your Church
to free us from apathy and indifference;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Blessings,

Lent 2009

2009-02-25T02:53:00.000-08:00

During the season of Lent, I will be asking you to remember in your daily devotions one of the Millennium Development Goals

Wednesdays: Eradicate extreme poverty
Thursdays: Achieve Universal Primary education
Fridays: Promote Gender Equality and Empower Women
Saturdays: Reduce Child Mortality
Sundays: Improve Maternal Health
Mondays: Combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria and other Diseases
Tuesday: Ensure Environmental Sustainability

Each day I will try to give you an update on each goal, and any news that pertains to that goal.

I also ask you to add the following prayer to your Lenten devotions:

Most loving God,
as your desire for mercy for the poor is unrelenting,
may we be unrelenting in our pursuit of mercy for all;
as your compassion for the suffering of the poor knows no limit,
may our hearts overflow with compassion for all;
as you long for justice for the poor,
may we strive for justice for all.
Open our eyes to the structures of oppression from which we benefit,
and give us courage to accept our responsibility,
wisdom to chart a sound course amid complexity,
and perseverance to continue our work until it is finished.
Breathe your life-giving Spirit afresh into your Church
to free us from apathy and indifference;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

I invite you to allow yourself to become more aware of the plight of many of our brothers and sisters who suffer from poverty and disease. God's concern for the poor is unrelenting. He wants us to join our concerns with His and to take action. Prayer is the first and most important step. Then allowing the Holy Spirit to speak to you about your response would be the next step. Acting on the promptings of the Holy Spirit would be the final step.

Reconciliation in Rwanda

2009-01-08T05:32:00.000-08:00

Since 2003 I have had a friendship with a priest from Rwanda name Fr. Philbert Kalisa. He is the executive director of REACH (Reconciliation, Evangelism and Christian Healing). He started this organization in 1996 following the 1994 genocide in Rwanda where 1.2 million people (Tutsi’s and Hutu moderates) were murdered by Hutu militia. It was horrific. In some cases people were told to go into the local church, then the gunmen came and murdered everyone (once in awhile a few survived to tell the story).

I helped start the REACH_USA board of directors (which I am still on) in 2004. Our website is here:

http://www.reachusa.org

The work of REACH has been very successful in bringing peace and unity back to Rwanda. Now offenders who did the genocide are coming out from prison. REACH is helping them and their victims to be reconciled and for the offenders to be accepted back in their communities. It is very difficult and heartbreaking work (with REACH’s support one offender went to a grandmother whose family of 28 he had murdered, and knelt before her asking for her forgiveness – she forgave him after an hour of conversation).

I invite you to see this utube video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5aD0zlT4n50

What REACH has accomplished can be a model for other countries.

In Christ,
Gary

Fighting poverty - one person at a time

2008-12-29T13:39:00.000-08:00

The numbers of those in deep poverty can seem to be overwhelming and often it seems like the problem is too big to be addressed. However, I have a friend, Craig Cole, who is the executive director of "Five Talents" based in Virginia. Five Talents’ mission is to fight poverty, create jobs and transform lives by empowering the poor in developing countries using innovative savings and microcredit programs, business training and spiritual development.

Five talents has been in operation since 1999 and has many success stories. One of the most recent ones involved A small town in southern Sudan named "Liethnom" which is part of the Anglican Diocese of Wau. This area has 500,000 people, and until Five Talents came on the scene, no bank to provide small business loans. There is now "The Lietnhom Community Bank" which was established by local people with financial and business experience by Five Talents in conjunction with World Concern, the Economics Trust Fund of the Navigators, Stromme Foundation and integra Foundation. The bank loans out money to residents to start their own small businesses. Some recent stories:

Anyuon grew up in extreme poverty and hunger. Often his father would be forced to sell one of the family's cows in order to buy food entrenching them in deeper poverty. Thanks to a loan from Five Talents Anyouon and his wife now have a small family business. His 8 year old daughter recently told Craig: "My mom and dad have bought many goods for our shop. These days they buy milk and meat for us. They get money from the business they are doing."

Through this program Anyuon and his wife have learned to read and write as well as gain basic math skills. They have used their loans to expand and diversify their small business. With this income they p[lan to send their children to school so that their lives will be improved as well.

Other success stories: Two new village and savings loan groups have formed in the town of Luanyeker. This is the results of the Lietnhom program duplication itself . Each group has 20 women.

Another story is about a mother named Ahok, who used a $75 loan to start a food business in Lietnhom. Thanks to the income from the business she is now able to send all five of her children to school, including 10 year old Akot.

"When I finish school, I would like to be a doctor." Akot said. "I will also start a business like my mother and when I get money I will build a house for my mom."

It doesn't take a lot of money to help these families become self-reliant. Donations to Five Talents goes directly to these micro-business projects in many places in the world.

Please consider giving a donation to:

Five Talents
P.O. Box 331
Vienna, VA 22183

This will help fight poverty one person and family at a time

"The alleviation of material suffering in the world . . ." What can one person Do?

2008-12-15T09:51:00.000-08:00

As we struggle to understand and adapt to the increasing economic crisis that affects us more and more every day, it would be understandable to forget that this is a reflection of a much larger world-wide crisis in poverty and economics. The Rev. Dr. Sabina Alkire (an Episcopal priest , now in England) recently said :

“The Alleviation of material suffering in the world and the spiritual renewal of the Church go hand in hand.”

Dr. Sabina Alkire, is currently the Director of the new Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI) Oxford University, and author of “What can one person do?”

World-wide poverty is a spiritual problem that affects all of us. Jesus has been very clear about that.

In Matthew 25:31-40, it says:

"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at his right hand, 'Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.' Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?' And the king will answer them, 'Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.'

Bono (Paul David Hewson) is the lead singer for the Irish U2 Band. He is a world-wide activist for the alleviation of extreme poverty. Not satisfied with just making statements he and his wife Ali have worked in Ethiopian feeding camps, as well as sponsoring many initiatives to raise money for those who are literally starving to death. Some quotes from Bono:

“Distance does not decide who is your brother and who is not. The church is going to have to become the conscience of the free market if it's to have any meaning in this world - and stop being its apologist”.

“We can be the generation that no longer accepts that an accident of latitude determines whether a child lives or dies. But will we be that generation?”

“It's an amazing thing to think that ours is the first generation in history that really can end extreme poverty, the kind that means a child dies for lack of food in its belly. That should be seen as the most incredible, historic opportunity but instead it's become a millstone around our necks. We let our own pathetic excuses about how it's "difficult" justify our own inaction. Be honest. We have the science, the technology, and the wealth. What we don't have is the will, and that's not a reason that history will accept.”

In response to these needs I ask you to pray, study, give and act.

Please pray this prayer daily:

Most loving God, as your desire for mercy for the poor is unrelenting, may we be unrelenting in our pursuit of mercy for all; as your compassion for the suffering of the poor knows no limit, may our hearts overflow with compassion for all; as you long for justice for the poor, may we strive for justice for all. Open our eyes to the structures of oppression from which we benefit, and give us courage to accept our responsibility, wisdom to chart a sound course amid complexity, and perseverance to continue our work until it is finished. Breathe your life-giving Spirit afresh into your Church to free us from apathy and indifference; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For additional information please see: www.e4gr.org

Thank you,
Deacon Gary

Human Rights Day – Dec. 10, 2008

2008-12-10T03:32:00.000-08:00

Sixty years ago today, the new world organization, the United Nations, adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This was a landmark event, as the nations of the world joined together to try and bury the spectre of genocide raised by the Second World War:

Article 1.
All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.

Article 2.
Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty.

Article 3.
Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.

There are a total of 30 articles. Please read them all at: http://www.un.org/Overview/rights.html

This declaration was based on these words written 232 years ago to the British monarch, King George III by a small group of men representing the 13 colonies in North America.

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness”

14 years ago, in the African Country of Rwanda, a group of citizens, known as the Hutus, tried to totally eliminate a smaller group of Rwandans knows as the Tutsis. On April 6, 1994 the killing started. 100 days later, almost 1 million people were brutally murdered; some while they sought protection in churches. During this time the rest of the world stood by and watched. The United States’ official position was to not get involved because “we had no economic interest” in Rwanda. What happened to the Universal Declaration on Human Rights ?

From 1992-1995 in the Republic of Bosnia-Herzegovina, conflict between the three main ethnic groups, the Serbs, Croats, and Muslims, resulted in genocide committed by the Serbs against the Muslims in Bosnia. 200,000 Muslims were murdered. What happened to the Universal Declaration on Human Rights?

Today, in many parts of the world, these types of atrocities continue, mostly in Africa and Asia.

In our baptismal vows, as Episcopalians we promise before God to:

“strive for justice and peace among all people and respect the dignity of every human being.” (BCP 305)

The concept of human rights has to be defended every day of every year by all of us who treasure our freedom and liberty. What can we as Episcopalians in Valrico Florida do? We can write to our national political leaders, reminding them that as a free people we have a responsibility to guard the freedom of others, and that this country should be a world leader in defending human rights. Never again should we stand aside while massive killing of other human beings happen because we had “no economic interest.” When human rights are being violated in other countries, regardless if they are our "friends" we need to speak out. If we don’t defend the human rights of others, some day there may not be any one left to defend ours.

Job loss due to economic downturn

2008-12-08T09:52:00.000-08:00

In Port Charlotte, Fla., Sharon Byberg has been looking for a job for 15 months, after being laid off by a surveying company where she made $17 an hour making blueprints for architects and builders.Ms. Byberg has had few responses to her job applications at national retailers, fast-food chains and grocery stores.

A local gas station got more than 1,000 applications for two jobs paying about $8 an hour, Ms. Byberg said."Jobs are like diamonds," she said. "You got to know somebody to get one and they're extremely rare. ... Employers can pick and choose who they want."

WSJ 12/6

Commment: As people lose income and unemployment runs out, community resources like ECHO become more important for the overall health of the community as well as for the individuals in need. When you go shopping for groceries, please consider buying some extra food items or giving the buy 1 and get 1 free item to ECHO for those in need. Every third Sunday is Outreach Sunday at Holy Innocents'. Please bring your items to Church.

Often in past recessions and the depression, it was the faith communities that could be counted on for charitable works. The people of Holy Innocents' have always been known for their service to the community they live in. I'm asking you to consider giving this part of your ministry special attention now as the need is greater than it has been for many years.

If you can afford to make a financial donation to help those in need, please make the check out to Holy Innocents' and write "Outreach" in the memo section.

North America contributes to root causes of food crisis, says forum

2008-12-01T17:28:00.000-08:00

This may startle you, but we need to know the truth:

"Did you know that the same amount of corn that produces enough ethanol to fill the fuel tank of an SUV would feed a Mexican for a year?

"Or that the price of tortillas, Mexico’s staple food, has tripled and even quadrupled in some parts of that country because the price of white corn, which is indexed to the international price of yellow corn used for ethanol production, has risen dramatically?

In other words, there are people around the world who are starving because more and more land is being dedicated to cash-rich fuel crops like corn instead of food."

Full story here:

http://www.anglicanjournal.com/nc/100/article/north-america-contributes-to-root-causes-of-food-crisis-says-forum/

This artilce reflects an injustice to many poor and hungry people, so that others may have the fuel they need for their automobiles.

We need to encourage our political and business leaders to find alternative energy sources that benefit all human kind and not take from those who can afford it the least in order to benefit those who already have their needs satisifed.

Help for the poor and hungry – Millennium Development Goals

2008-12-01T16:01:00.000-08:00

We live in a world of great extremes. While some of us who live in "the West" enjoy a relatively good life with adequate housing, water, food, employment etc. there are many other children of God who don't. In 2005, 1.4 billion people (out of 6.5 billion) lived on US$1.25 or less a day. 10 million die every year of hunger and hunger-related diseases.

Since 1970 the United Nations has been concerned about the growing division between the developing nations and the nations with wealth. Many programs have been attempted through the years, some successful, but other as failures due to lack of understanding of the local environments, greed of country leaders, etc. In 2000 The UN drew up the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)from the actions and targets contained in the Millennium Declaration that was adopted by 189 nations-and signed by 147 heads of state and governments during the UN Millennium Summit in September 2000.

The eight MDGs break down into 21 quantifiable targets that are measured by 60 indicators.

Goal 1: Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
Goal 2: Achieve universal primary education
Goal 3: Promote gender equality and empower women
Goal 4: Reduce child mortality
Goal 5: Improve maternal health
Goal 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases
Goal 7: Ensure environmental sustainability
Goal 8: Develop a Global Partnership for Development

All of this by 2015.

When the 189 nations approved the MDG’s in September 2000 they agreed to use 0.7% of their GNP for MDG actions in the countries affected. Several countries (Norway, Sweden, and a few others) have exceeded their 0.7% commitment. The US gives the largest amount of money, but well below our 0.7% commitment.

Why are the MDG’s important to us? Because those who are suffering from lack of food, clean drinking water, education, medicine, etc. are also children of God. They are our brothers and sisters. In our baptismal vows we agree to “strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being.” There is not much dignity when you are hungry and starving. When you watch your child under 5 die in your arms due to starvation. There is a great injustice when there is inequality in education due to the fact that you are a girl, or when common drugs that are available to us in the US that could save lives are not available in sub-Saharan Africa.

In future posts I will give more detail on each goal and how much progress we have made (we are already passed the ½ way point to 2015). I’ll give you an update on what the Episcopal Church is doing and the Diocese of Southwest Florida. Then I make some suggestions on what we, as the congregation of Holy Innocents, and as individuals can do.

Deacon Gary