Hello, all -I'm taking the MDGs class number CMC108. My previous Experience? Training withe ERD as a Coordinator on how ERD works with the MDGs. I hope we cover ways to present the goals, and practical ways for congregations to work toward meeting them. I live in the Yakima Valley of Eastern Washington state - Diocese of Spokane, where we have a 3-congregation group in the process of learning to work together. At this point when I mention the Millenium development Goals, I get a somewhat negative reaction with qjuestions like: Who made up these goals? Why do we have anything to do with the UN? Is this just another bid for $? I want some tools to use, and I hope this class will help. Linda

Edited by author 02-27-2007 04:32 PM
I've signed up for the 3/8 class on the MDG's, and I live in the Episcopal Diocese of Dallas (St. Barnabas, Denton). I've been asked to lead an adult forum on the MDG's. In my previous church (St. Mark's, San Antonio) I initiated the planning and implementation of an MDG-focus during Epiphany (2007), followed by a collection of offerings during Lent. (In addition to making monetary donations, parishioners have been asked to bring loaves of bread each Sunday in Lent, which are then distributed by the local Daily Bread.)
I'm hoping to increase my awareness of the materials available for leading the class I'm planning, and to share ideas for building and encouraging my congregation's participation.

Edited by author 02-05-2007 06:07 PM
This message board is for participants in eMinistry classes on the Millennium Development Goals.

If you're registered for an upcoming class, you are invited to post reponses to the following questions, so both the class leader and other class participants can get to know each other. Remember, answer/share only to the extent you feel comfortable! The link to this message board is as private as the URL (which is pretty complex) and is not accessible via any search engine.

   What class are you taking?

   What is your previous experience with the MDGs?

   What has led you to sign up for this class?

   What do you hope we might do or cover during the class?

   What one or two things do you hope that you might get out of this class?

   Where do you live or what diocese are you in?

By which, of course, I meant "Mike Kinman."
By the way, " If I had a Million......" another ppt in the Toolkit, is absolutely amazing (and worth the 99 cents to download the music to accompany it)!

Mike Hinman has created a link in MDG Toolkit <http://www.e4gr.org/resources/pwrpnt.html>;
to my Powerpoint presentation from Tuesday's night's vestry meeting, which has been uploaded to
http://www.epdoa.org/mdgprestsunami.ppt
The resolution is on slide 18.
The vestry committed to 0.7% giving as a separate line item above existing mission support, and encourages each parisioner to commit to 0.7% giving, also.
I'm planning to start talking up the latter point during Epiphany, with the Bible study and hopefully some of those e4gr concepts.

Dear Joyce, Wanda, Bill, Kate, Debbie and Amy Lynne,
Thanks for your particpation in the class last night and your great questions. One of you asked about tracking the MDGs and knowing how well different countries are doing in meeting them. Go to www.undp.org/mdgs. There is a ton of info there; completely accurate, very up-to-date, analytically rigourous.
I'll check this message board every day or two so we can keep some conversation going.
Ann, congratulations on your vestry action!

Ann, that is great news. Could you tell us a little bit about it, so I can post your good news on the EGR website?

I'm sorry I missed last night's discussion, but I'm delighted to report that my vestry unanimously passed our resolution, committing to 0.7% giving and encouraging parishioners to do the same!Alleluia!

A great class tonite. Thank you. The EGR Website contains alot of information on the MDGs and how to get involved. Most of the information comes from folks such as yourselves who have had experiences. I would like to see those suggestions on our site so we all can share. I would also encourage you to be part of the EGR discussion group. I monitor all the discussions, help to answer specific issues as well as use the suggestions given to add to the marterial on the website. If you are having any difficulties getting signed up to the dicussion group or need info or resources, please e-mail me bmonk@episcopalatlanta.org, or Mike Kinman at mkinman@gmail.com

Hi Folks,
Looking forward to tonight's conversation. Bill, was a seminary classmate of Mike Kinman's, so surely you're as energized about his ministry as I am.
Am rector of a pastoral-to-program sized parish in Medfield, MA about 19 miles southwest of Boston and six miles from Gillette Stadium where the New England Patriots play. Our parish has had a very active outreach committee, although in the 2-1/2 years I've been here, we've tried to move from charity to relationship and justice participation.
We will host our first Outreach weekend on Sat, October 28 & Sun, October 29. There will be one service, and the diocesan youth musician will play. Two parishioners, 15 & 16-year olds will preach, and we are asking everyone who is able to participate in an outreach activity. Because of our parish size, we have decided to focus this year on MDG #1 - hunger and poverty.
Am also applying to EDS for the DMIN program where I hope to divide classes between Episcopal Divinity School and the Kennedy School on the topic of "Leadership of Spiritual Communities for Global Change" - i.e. off the bs and onto Gospel imperatives.
Thanks, and talk to all of you in a few hours.
Wanda

Lowell, I am the web person for the Episcopalians for Global Reconciliation. We are a group that develop articles, spreads information, etc about the MDGs. I invite you to visit our website http.www.e4gr.org where I hope you will find the information needed to develop the foucs you need for your event. Feel free to get back to me for any questions, or additional information you may require.

How's the study going? I hope to run it at the Adult Forum hour during Epiphany, preferably with some of e4gr's wonderful teaching ideas!
Prayers, please: I'm presenting to the vestry Tuesday night, to get a 0.7% commitment for next year.
Peace,
Ann Finch
St. James' Episcopal Church
Potomac, MD

We've got a class that has been looking at the MDG's for several weeks. We'll be participating in the STAND UP this Sunday at that class. We're trying to come up with a focus for our parish's work. We'd like something that is more than just sending money, but has a relational aspect to it.

Lowell Grisham
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Fayetteville, AR

Edited by author 02-03-2007 08:57 PM
This message board is for participants in eMinistry classes on the Millennium Development Goals.

If you're registered for an upcoming class, you are invited to post reponses to the following questions, so both the class leader and other class participants can get to know each other. Remember, answer/share only to the extent you feel comfortable! The link to this message board is as private as the URL (which is pretty complex) and is not accessible via any search engine.

   What is your previous experience with the MDGs?

   What has led you to sign up for this class?

   What do you hope we might do or cover during the class?

   What one or two things do you hope that you might get out of this class?

   Where do you live or what diocese are you in?