I’ve never gone to bed hungry because there was no food in my house.  Have you?  In the hour that passes after you read this, 1028 people in impoverished countries will die from hunger.  Another heartbreaking way to think of that is that 1028 people did not die, but rather one person died 1028 times.

   I’ve never been homeless.  Have you?  At a homeless shelter in a major Canadian city a young woman and her children were told there was no room for them that night.  She saw a smaller white building adjoining the property that appeared to be empty and asked, “Couldn’t we stay in that place?  The social worker at the shelter looked out the window at the building and said, “Oh, that’s were we keep our car.”  With surprise the poor woman said, “You have a house for a car!?”  We need places for our motor vehicles, especially in Minnesota.  But, isn’t there something we can do for the homeless multitudes who have no homes and live on $1.00 per day?

   I’ve never had less than a dresser and a closet full of clothes.  Have you?  There’s a large Methodist Church on the north side of Atlanta that has an annual rummage sale.  They sell only children’s clothing, furniture and toys.  In a recent year they grossed $80,000, which was donated to social ministries the church supports.  In third world countries, millions of people have one or two changes of clothes, at most.  The fortunate among them have a pair of shoes.

   I’ve never been unable to go to school, work, participate in social, cultural or other community activities, or travel.  Have you?  In desperately poor nations there is no money or other resources for these blessings of life.  A related gift we take for granted?  We have TIME to do these things because we do not need to spend every waking minute looking for food, a place to be safe, or other basics necessary for life.  Can you imagine spending all day, every day in these hopeless quests?  What does that DO to human beings?  Think of the days and nights of the kids in the Invisible Children film we recently viewed at St. Paul’s.

   It’s overwhelming to think of these 21st century realities.  What can we do?  During the Lenten season this year, we will be asked to prayerfully consider what we as a church family might do.  St. Paul’s is one of five parishes in the Minnesota Diocese that will have an organized program to learn about the Millennium Development Goals.  The challenge is to inspire each other to offer 0.7% of our annual income to our MDGs fund.  How much is that?  Here’s an idea: 

   This MDG campaign will end on Easter Sunday, then the congregation will decide how to spend/invest the funds raised.  We will be certain the money goes to outreach programs that have an impact on the kinds of basic life needs we’ve thought about in this article.

   Suggestions from donors will be welcomed, with everyone who makes the 0.7% pledge having a vote.  Men and women, boys and girls are all encouraged to make this promise.  Children could be encouraged to donate 0.7% of their allowances, as families learn together about those who have none of the blessings we take for granted.  One example is a family I know of who decided together they would intentionally eat less on Saturdays and donate the money saved to a program fighting world hunger.

   The effort at St. Paul’s and the other four Minnesota Episcopal churches will be directed by five person teams.  At St. Paul’s team members are Joanne Chesser, Natalie Constance, Diane Kolquist, Jill Peterman, and Nelson Thomas.  Laura Amendola and Sally Rogers, members of the Diocesan Task Force, will share in the St. Paul’s planning.  Anyone else interested is welcome to join the team and share the joy.

   But, don’t we have a responsibility to take care of local social ministries?  And what about the budget at St. Paul’s?  From our bounty we already give a significant amount to programs and services that reach those in need in our community.  We wholeheartedly support our local church.  These are our first responsibilities.  But, we have the means to give this small amount more.  If we’ve never before dared or were willing to look across the oceans that separate us from other continents, and we know the needs, what might God be calling us to do?

   God has also abundantly blessed us with spiritual gifts of faith, hope, love and courage.  Together we can dare to believe, with those in the United Nations who first proposed the MDGs in 2000, that we can reduce extreme poverty in our world and meaningfully address the other needs outlined in the goals.

   I resolve to give 0.7% of my income for the MDG project.  Will you?

   Facts and figures come from the Episcopal Relief and Development brochure:  What can ONE person do?  The MDGs and You.  Also see www.er-d.org.

   Submitted by Sally Rogers

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Goodies Left Over from the Holidays

If you have any goodies left over from the Holidays and you want them out of your home, please bring them to St. Paul’s Church!  Put them in the kitchen, and mark them:  “Reception & Hospitality Committee” or give them to Kathy J.  All donations will be put to good use for the Sunday Coffee Hour or Receptions.  Every contribution of cookies, munch mixes, candies, bars, cheese and crackers, cheese balls, nuts, ANYTHING eatable, will be used and greatly appreciated.  Thank you very much. Fayth

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Lakeshore Eucharist

Bill Van Oss will have Eucharist in the chapel at Lakeshore on Wednesday, January 2 at 4:00 p.m. 
This service is open to residents of Lakeshore and anyone else who would like to attend this simple celebration of Eucharist.

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Outreach Statistics

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