From the Desk of Deacon Judy

Transformation –Episcopal Relief & Development, Working Together for Lasting Change

Why am I so drawn to the ministry of Episcopal Relief & Development? For over 20 years now I have grown deeper and deeper in my understanding and appreciation of the importance of this ministry in our Church and in our world.

Thank you, Father Rob, for forwarding the Lenten Meditations from Episcopal Relief & Development. The biblical foundation of this ministry guides the work at home and abroad.

Grounded in the call to serve the least of these from Matthew 25 and to honor our Baptismal Covenant to respect the dignity of every human being, Episcopal Relief & Development is intentional about empowering local communities to use their already-present God-given gifts to transform individual lives and to transform communities. It’s how Jesus wants us to live and move and have our being.

We know first-hand how Episcopal Relief & Development works with dioceses in The Episcopal Church to respond to disasters and offer grants for locally-determined long-term recovery efforts.

Episcopal Relief & Development partners with locally-led organizations around the world to advance lasting change in communities impacted by injustice, poverty, disaster, and climate change.

The “Savings with Education” is a perfect example of how the small staff of Episcopal Relief & Development walks with communities to strengthen and empower them to thrive. Here is an excerpt from a recent communication:

“We work around the world with local partners to help communities start and lead Savings with Education (SwE) groups that bring people together to learn financial management and business skills.

SwE participants, many of whom are women, also have the opportunity to take small, low-interest loans from a fund to which all members contribute. They establish the rules of the group—like how much interest to charge and how to collect dues—and elect a president and treasurer.

Women participants, or #WomenWhoSave, have started businesses selling handmade and used clothing, honey and produce. Others have started hair salons, makeup businesses or convenience stores. Through SwE, participants are given the tools they need to use their assets and resources to diversify and increase their income. With the sale of goods and strategic investments, women are able to provide financially for their families, pay their children’s school fees, build safe and secure homes and put some money away for emergencies.

SwE groups are part of our integrated approach, meaning that they are frequently part of programming that also focuses on climate-adaptive agriculture, food security, nurturing childcare, addressing gender-based violence and disaster risk reduction.”

Should your heart lead you, donations to Episcopal Relief & Development would help further this meaningful ministry. https://www.episcopalrelief.org/what-you-can-do/give/

May we remember Episcopal Relief & Development in our prayers:

Collect for Episcopal Relief & Development

Loving and merciful God, you bestow your grace on all of your children: Remember our sisters

and brothers throughout the world who, in partnership with Episcopal Relief & Development,

strengthen communities, empower those who are experiencing poverty, nourish those who are

hungry, heal those who are sick and uplift those affected by disaster; and continue to uphold

Episcopal Relief & Development so that your Kingdom might be known to all people; through

Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God,

now and forever. Amen

Lenten Blessings, Judy Q+