Deacon’s Discourse

Convention Update – Resolution D022 was passed at diocesan convention this October. It was originally passed in 2006 at the national church convention, and was to be passed by each diocese. The resolution asked for three things: a 0.7% line item in each church and diocesan budget specifically for support of Episcopal Relief and Development, designation of a Sunday during the church year to be dedicated to focusing on the work and needs of Episcopal Relief and Development, and for each diocese to complete a survey of each church’s support of Episcopal Relief and Development.

Sister Carmen Center Update – the Sr. Carmen center in Lafayette has a twice yearly meeting of their faith based providers to update us on their programs, and to thank everyone for their support. The center has purchased a larger building which is being remodeled into the food bank. Their clients will be able to” shop” for their twice monthly food boxes, and there will be ample parking. The current facility will be remodeled into a larger thrift shop. A large percentage of their funding comes from the sale of gently used items. Thank you to all of you for your donations. They have raised 1.7 million dollars of the 2.5 million needed to complete this work.
Saint Ambrose was thanked specifically for the donation of fresh produce from our community garden. I am looking forward to our garden next summer, and wish to thank Holly McElheny for her planning, planting, weeding, and picking, and everyone who helped with the garden.
In addition they are asking for some special holiday donations. This includes pumpkin pie ingredients, $10 or $ 15 King Soopers or Walmart gift cards, and new hats and gloves for all ages. We will launch this campaign in early November at St. Ambrose.

This year the More Than a Match campaign promoted by the Diocesan Foundation will support Episcopal Relief and Development and the Millennium Development Goals. Specifically, the campaign will ask for a mosquito net from every Episcopalian in the Diocese of Colorado. This campaign will start in Epiphany, and wrap up at Easter 2011. More later on that initiative.

The Golden Shopping Cart returns – I’m sure you all have noticed that there is once again a Golden Shopping Cart in the narthex – thank you to Heather Melton. We will continue to alternate taking the non perishable food items and toiletries to Sr. Carmen and EFAA. Thank you to Toni Brennand for her help in delivering the items. And a big thanks to all of you who are so generous in your support of these 2 vital local service agencies.