Wednesday, June 28, 2006"My passion is for mission. Because I think that's how we build the reign of God. The Millennium Development Goals give us an image, an icon or a lens, if you will, for how we can build the reign of God in our own day. They're achievable. They're achievable in less than 10 years if we can commit as nations and communities and individuals across the world to do it. That is remarkable! It's the first time in history when we have been able to say that it's possible to make poverty history. I think that's a great and glorious and incredibly engaging model for what it means to be church!" Presiding Bishop-elect, the Rt. Rev. Katherine Jefferts SchoriMany of you may have seen press coverage about The Episcopal Church's General Convention over the last two weeks. The press loves to cover our conversations about sexuality. However, they may not have reported the most important work we did in Columbus from June 10-21.
We, with Episcopalians for Global Reconciliation (EGR), set a goal of having the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) sweep General Convention, and seize the imagination of the church, and in so many ways, they truly did. The U2charist as a launch for EGR and the MDGs at General Convention was more than we could ask or imagine, and it continued to sustain General Convention’s hopes to the last day, when several people from different places within the church took the time to thank us for the service. (You can watch a newscast about the U2charist, an interview of yours truly, and more about the MDGs at General Convention
here, by clicking on the link to June 14th, and the
amazing sermon by Bishop Michael Curry of North Carolina
here.
At the EGR booth, we had book readings and many events highlighting each of the MDGs in creative and engaging ways, and our booth was a go-to spot in the exhibit hall. We also had
"stunts" for the different MDGs, such as a cross made out of
10,200 popsicle sticks to represent the children who would die due to extreme poverty from the time of the opening service that day, till the end of the legislative session. You can learn more about these stunts by visiting
Episcopalians for Global Reconciliation and linking to the General Convention News.
God’s mission was well served in our decision to make Peace and Justice, particularly the MDGs, as the first mission priority of our church and the lens through which we can do our ministry both within our congregations and out in the world. Soon thereafter both the House of Deputies and House of Bishops passed Resolution D022 which lays out how the church will follow God’s call as heard in the MDGs. This resolution included a provision for every parishioner, congregation, diocese to give
0.7% (seven tenths of one percent) toward fighting global AIDS and extreme poverty, either through an organization such as Episcopal Relief and Development or a companion diocese relationship such as we in Maine have with Haiti.
When the Budget passed on Monday, it included a provision for “every department and funded mission and ministry of the Church to give
0.7% of their money toward the MDGs.” At the same time the members of the Program, Budget and Finance Committee each pledged
0.7% of their personal incomes toward the MDGs and challenged all Bishops and General Convention Deputies to do the same.
The one MDG for which we did not have a stunt was #3 Gender Equality and Empowering Women. The Holy Spirit took care of that however, with what was perhaps the greatest moment for the church: the election of the Rt. Rev. Katherine Jefferts Schori as the 26th Presiding Bishop. None of us came to Columbus thinking this would be an historic General Convention because of our election of the first woman Presiding Bishop. Many of us said, “It was what I hoped for, but I kept talking myself out of its possibility!” I wish I could somehow transmit to you the power of the Spirit that swept through the House of Deputies when her election by the House of Bishops was announced, the sound of 2000 people gasping (1900 or so with joy) and again, after our vote by which the House of Deputies concurred, with people from
very diverse theological places speaking
in favor of her election.
Bishop Jefferts Schori is committed to justice and mission. At the
press conference she said,
"My passion is for mission. Because I think that's how we build the reign of God. The Millennium Development Goals give us an image, an icon or a lens, if you will, for how we can build the reign of God in our own day. They're achievable. They're achievable in less than 10 years if we can commit as nations and communities and individuals across the world to do it. That is remarkable! It's the first time in history when we have been able to say that it's possible to make poverty history. I think that's a great and glorious and incredibly engaging model for what it means to be church!"Poetically, her episcopacy will end in 2015, the year set for the achievement of the MDGs. The symmetry is stunning, prophetic, and in its own way a commission of all of us for this work.
Thank you for your prayers during these weeks. I am excited to continue to work with all of you to realize God's vision and hope for our world.
Peace,
Paige+
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NEIDEEP at 9:55 AM
Tuesday, June 13, 2006"None but ourselves can free our minds." Bob MarleyAs I mentioned last week in the newsletter, a UN team is still attempting to gain permission and support from the Sudanese Officials to allow UN Peace Keeping Troops in to the Darfur region. Like many, I am flustered and annoyed that the process takes such a long time, while the genocide continues. Please pray for all involved. As this point, I am still receiving e-mails from various organizations to send letters and petitions to our government about this matter. However, right now, the Sudanese officials are the ones holding up the peacekeeping efforts.
This past weekend was amazing. Although I was not able to attend all of the events, I attended several, meeting new people as well as connecting with familiar faces.
Photo credit: Bonnie N. DavisThe New England United Methodist Conference offered a FREE concert last Friday of the African University Choir! Several of us car-pooled to Gordon College so we could experience the group. The choir has over 100 members, and although only a dozen of the choir sang, their energy and talent amazed us. They performed songs from many parts of Africa as well as a traditional Spiritual. I was able to speak with one woman, Febby, and exchange e-mail addresses. I told her about the Millennium Campaign and NEIDEEP – I could see she was pleased that Americans are working to bring awareness of the conditions in Africa to others. She was also happy to see me wearing a white wristband – and I promised to send some to the choir! I learned that the UMC funded the Africa University in 1988 and their doors opened a few years later. Currently, about 1,300 students attend AU. They will be the future ministers, teachers and leaders in Africa. They give me such hope for the future of Africa. Education is key to making permanent changes and truly eradicating Extreme Poverty.
Photo credits: Bonnie N. DavisWhile enjoying the concert, I was able to spend a few moments with Pete Weaver, Bishop of the New England Conference (pictured above). Like me, he was wearing his white wristband. He has now passed over the gavel – and “gravel” – of the President of the United Methodist Council of Bishops to another, instead of wearing two hats as he did the past two years. We discussed NEIDEEP’s plans for a fall conference and the importance of educating more youth about Extreme Poverty.
…and then on Saturday, I attended the second day of the 3-day program at Green Acre Baha’i School in Eliot, Maine on Race Unity. I was one of several members of the Seacoast NAACP and enjoyed the opportunity to connect with familiar faces outside of our monthly meetings. I also met several teenagers who were dynamic, funny and talented. Once again, my heart was filled with hope for the future. I enjoyed the conference in this beautiful, tranquil setting, and made several new connections with people who share my concern for global Extreme Poverty. I was delighted to see that Tod Ewing, one of the facilitators, came to the event wearing his white wristband!
That evening, there was a special Juneteenth celebration with a presentation by local students – a few of which attended the conference! They re-enacted events leading up to the Emancipation Proclamation and ended with a rap! As usual, the kids always touch my heart and I had tears in my eyes…
Sunday evening, I attended NH State Senator Martha Fuller Clark’s event at the Portsmouth Music Hall for the viewing of
Street Fight - this is a racially thought provoking movie about the 2002 run for mayor in Newark, NJ. Shortly after the movie started, I realized I had seen clips on TV about the movie and had forgotten the title… I found myself experiencing many intense emotions during the film. I had to keep reminding myself that this was a documentary and not fiction. I found it hard to believe that the events took place four years ago and not 40… I was stunned by the corruption of one candidate and how he slammed his opponent for being a well-educated, articulate man of color. Several times, I had to pull myself back from the edge of my seat as I wondered if an assassination would take place. I strongly suggest that you see this film!!!
You may wonder why I feel that these concerts, race conferences and events are important to eradicating Extreme Poverty… Perhaps you think I am getting off track. I assure you that is not the case. Once I learned about the conditions of Extreme Poverty in the developing nations and the MDG, I knew that working on this is what I am here to do – I cannot turn away knowing what I know. It is my passion, my purpose and my life. I strongly believe, as do many others in this fight, that racial injustice is a major factor in Extreme Poverty. Bono has said that we would not allow what is happening in Africa to occur in the UK or the US. One out of ten Africans with HIV/AIDS has access to antiretroviral drugs. One out of seven Asians has the same access. These drugs cost so little and there is no excuse for this injustice other than our inability to see everyone as our brothers and sisters. Millions of children are dying every year. Every year over 500,000 women die in childbirth. Over 400,000 have been slaughtered in Darfur. Until we allow ourselves, our friends, family and co-workers to truly see that we are ONE people, these conditions will continue. It is not a matter of “us” and “them” – it is a matter of all of the children of the earth as ONE – helping each other… It is a matter of our own humanity.
I ask you to wear your white wristband as a symbol to all that you stand up and speak for those whose voices are not heard in the global fight to end poverty.
Bonnie
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NEIDEEP at 6:05 AM
Friday, June 2, 2006“The world is my country, all mankind are my brethren, and to do good is my religion.” Thomas PaineJune is here and the official start of Summer is a few weeks away. While I battle through the difficulties of preparing to (hopefully) close on a house and move north, Paige is preparing for the Episcopal General Convention in Ohio.
She is representing Episcopalians for Global Reconciliation and hoping on working with church leaders to make the Millennium Development Goals the primary mission of the church for the next three years. Pray for all of those working to reach this important decision.
On the home front, Janice Yancy, Rev. Paige’s assistant at St. George’s and, like me, a new NAACP member, recently told me about two choirs of which she is a member! Voices of the Heart will be performing in Portsmouth this Saturday. (Please see our NEIDEEP Calendar for information.) They are preparing for their second international concert tour, which will be in Croatia next year, with their mission being to raise funds for ‘Adopt-A-Minefield.’ This program helps to clear land mines from war torn areas and if the group raises $25,000 they will be able to adopt their own mine field. Reportedly, it takes $3 to make a mine and $1,000 to remove one! This important work will help to enable people to return to their homes, farms and support themselves. It will allow children to play safely. Please support their work and look for future concerts.
Janice will sing again on June 10th with the Diversified Faith Gospel Project's choir, Rock My Soul, in Dover, NH. This is a nonprofit, interfaith, nondenominational organization. Their purpose is to carry an uplifting message of hope, strength & joy to diverse audiences, bringing us closer together to understand the meaning of peace, equality, respect, unity & justice. Rock My Soul raised money for children's cancer at their last concert. (all info is linked in our calendar of events)
Also note that Paige has several more U2charists coming up. This amazing service that teaches the MDG is not to be missed. Please consider stepping outside of your box and/or your comfort zone and feel the amazing energy of the music and sermon.
Have a great week!
Bonnie
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NEIDEEP at 8:37 AM
