National & World News
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May 12 New York Times ad notes Episcopal Church history, mission
[From ENS reports] The op-ed page of May 12 editions of The New York Times
carried a display ad marking the beginnings, 400 years ago, of the Jamestown Colony and the Episcopal Church's heritage and mission in North America.
"Somewhere near you," the ad copy begins, "there’s a
blue-and-white sign bearing the familiar slogan: The Episcopal
Church Welcomes You. It represents some 7,400 congregations that
trace their beginnings in North America to a small but hopeful
group of English Christians who arrived May 14, 1607 at a place
they called Jamestown — the first permanent English settlement
in the New World."
See the ad here.
Executive Council continues to invite response to draft Anglican Covenant
Bishops theology committee to offer Primates' communiqué study document
Responses from congregations & individuals accepted through June 4
By Mary Frances Schjonberg
[ENS]
Episcopalians have begun responding to
questions in a study guide aimed at
helping the Episcopal Church consider
the draft version of a proposed Anglican
Covenant.
Congregations, diocesan deputations to General Convention and individuals can all submit comments between now and the June 4 deadline.
Responses can be e-mailed to gcsecretary@episcopalchurch.org, faxed to 212.972.9322 or mailed to Draft Anglican Covenant, The Office of the General Convention, The Episcopal Church Center, 815 Second Ave, New York, NY 10017.
Prepared by a subcommittee of the Executive Council's International Concerns Standing Committee (INC), the six-page guide in English, French and Spanish is available here. The page includes individual links to each translation, along with links to covenant-related Web sites. The draft text of the proposed Covenant, along with the first report of the Anglican Communion's Covenant Design Group, in English, French and Spanish are available here.
Full story
here.
ERD supports communities affected by storms in Kansas
Episcopal Relief
and Development (ERD) is providing emergency assistance to
Greenburg, Kansas and other communities in Kansas affected by
tornadoes and flooding.
From May 4-6, many towns in Kansas suffered significant damage after tornadoes swept across the state. In the town of Greenburg, an EF-5 tornado destroyed 90 percent of the town and killed 10 people. The tornado destroyed buildings in the town’s downtown district and many homes were ruined. The storms triggered flooding throughout the state.
ERD is working with the Dioceses of Western Kansas and Kansas to provide critical assistance to communities affected by the storms. ERD will also support the dioceses through the Long Term Recovery Committee (LTRC). This newly created committee will provide information and help for disaster victims during recovery process including psychological counseling and aid for communities that do not qualify for federal assistance.
The Dioceses of Western Kansas and Kansas are working with the Kansas State Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (KSVOAD). The dioceses are coordinating their response needs with other faith-based and secular organizations.
“In the short-term, there are a lot of agencies that are assisting victims. We are grateful that ERD and other Episcopal dioceses will help in the long-term efforts by funding expenses which will help people rebuild their lives,” said the Rt. Rev. James M. Adams Jr., Bishop of the Diocese of Western Kansas.
To help people affected by disasters, please make a donation to the Emergency Relief Fund at www.er-d.org/, or call 1.800.334.7626, ext. 5129. Gifts can be mailed to: Episcopal Relief and Development, “Emergency Relief Fund”, P.O. Box 7058, Merrifield, VA 22116-7058.