The Gloucester Cathedral Choir sings In the Bleak Midwinter

Embedded Video

Hope With Sudan Year End Report

Dear Friends of the World Mission Network,

The following is the Hope With Sudan Year End Report from Rev. Jerry Drino. Fresh from his latest mission trip to Kenya and the Sudan, the following is his first hand account of the ongoing violence and suffering in the Sudan. It is a riveting, heartbreaking read.

Please read it all.

And as a reminder to turn to the One who sustains our hope despite the presence of great troubles, Rev. Drino closes his report with this prayer:

"May the Mystery of this Season sustain you and lead you to embrace the New Birth. Thank you for helping to make a difference in the darkness."

(Amen and amen - ed.)

Diocesan Intercessory Prayers - Gloucester

From Bishop Michael Perham - Diocese of Gloucester:

• For the Cathedral Church of St Peter and the Indivisible Trinity in Gloucester, for its mission as the mother church of the diocese, and for Nick Bury, the Dean.
  
  
• For the more than 300 parishes and Chaplaincies of the diocese and for their clergy at a challenging time.
  
  
• For Bishop Michael’s senior staff team - John Went, Suffragan Bishop, Hedley Ringrose & Geoffrey Sidaway, Archdeacons, Nick Bury, Dean, Jane Kenchingtoh, Dean of Women Clergy, David Hoyle, Director of Ministry, Kevin Brown, Diocesan Secretary.
  
  
• For the engagement of the diocese in “The Year of the Child” with a launch in 312 January at Tewkesbury Abbey, for Sandra Millar the Children’s Officer.
  


• For the diocese’s links with the Dioceses of Karnataka Central (Bangalore) and of Dornakal in the united Church of South India and with the Lutheran Diocese of Vasteras in Sweden.
  
  
• For the 14 Deaneries of the Diocese as they engage with a deanery restructuring to equip them better for ministry and mission, and for the Area Deans.
  
  
• For the diocese’s engagement with the Millennium Development Goals, and for Canon Adrian Slade, who is taking the lead on this.
  
  
• For Local Ministry Teams across the diocese encouraging the ministry of all the baptized and for (Lay) Canon Kathy Lawrence who leads in this area of diocesan work.
  
  
• For a continuation in the upturn of vocations to the ordained ministry, for those in training, for John Witcombe, the Director of Ordinands, and Catherine Williams, the Vocations Officer.
  


• For the twin initiatives, “Prepare for Easter”, aimed at church-goers through Lent, and “Experience Easter”, aimed at those who do not attend church regularly.
  
  
• For the team Bishop Michael is putting together to develop the triangular partnership and for those travelling with him from Gloucester to Tanzania.
  


• For the 117 Church Schools in the diocese, for the Board of Education, and for Helena Arnold, the new Director of the Department for Children and Young People.
  
  
• For the diocesan Retreat and Conference Centre, Glenfall House, for all who make use of it, for Liz Palin the Director and her staff.
  

Diocesan Intercessory Prayers - Western Tanganyika

From Bishop Gerard Mpango - Diocese of Western Tanganyika:

• Give thanks to God for our my Episcopal Ministry in 25 years. Join us in prayers of thanksgiving on 28th December 2008
  
• Pray for our preparations for your forth-coming visit to our diocese
  
• Pray for our Bible College in Kasulu as they close for holidays and prepare for next term. Pray for provision of funding
  
• Pray for our project for roofing churches. We have 15 un-roofed churches some of which have been that way for over 3 years
  
• Pray for widows especially clergy widows during these times of economic hardships
  
• Pray for our ministry to children especially ophans as we seek to help them with educational needs
  
• Give thanks for our youth ministry. Thank God that our churches are full of young people on Sundays. Pray that they may find true faith of a living relationship with God and a passion for service to God and fellow human beings
  
• Pray for the real poor folks and refugees; pray that the church may find ways and means to walk along their side and bring hope in the midst of hopelessness

I am sending this with my love from here in Mozambique, Southern Africa. + Gerard

Diocesan Intercessory Prayers - El Camino Real

There has been much dialogue between Bishop Mary and Bishop Michael of Gloucester and Bishop Gerard of Western Tanganyika since the formalizing of our Triad Companion Relationship. One of the first fruits of this conversation has been the development of intercessory prayers which will be offered by each of the Companion partners. Intercessory prayers authored by Bishop Mary of the Diocese of El Camino Real are below. Prayers from Gloucester and Western Tanganyika are expected shortly.

From Bishop Mary:

• For continued healing and renewal in our diocesan relationships;


• For a deeper understanding of our life in the grace of Jesus Christ and our own personal as well as corporate transformation;


• For our diocesan staff, +Mary, Brian, Jesus, Susan and JoAnn, and our effectiveness in serving and growing our congregations;


• For continued awareness of the spiritually hungry in our communities, and our increased capacity for welcome and incorporation into the body of Christ;


• Awareness and empowerment to serve the poor in our communities, and for all those already serving in this area of ministry, especially Santa Maria Urban Ministry, our food banks and individuals throughout our diocese who feed the hungry;


• Prayers for our ability to reach and spiritually nourish youth in our congregations;


• Prayers for a new ministry for prisoner re-entry in the Santa Clara deanery;


• Prayers for our World Missions Network and our companion relationship, especially for the upcoming retreat, fundraising, mission planning and travel planning.


• Prayers for the many efforts in our congregations for overseas ministry and support including Rwanda, Uganda, the Dominican Republic and especially for the good work happening in Haiti and Sudan.


• Prayers for an increase in cultural diversity within our church that is more reflective of all who live in our diocese.

Readers of this blog are encouraged to add to these prayers using the comments section.

Confernce Call Meeting Minutes 12-04-08

A lively discussion on next steps for the ECR World Mission Network was held on December 4th. Highlights include the organization of a retreat to enter more deeply into our sense of shared mission to share experiences; explore possibilities. Additionally, a call for administrative assistance has gone out to Mission members to help support the network while Robin attends to her mission work in the Sudan. Read all about the discussion here or filed in the column to the right under "Mission Data Files".

Web Article: "The Ethics of Aid - One Kenyan's Perspective"

More from Celeste Ventura:

"One more piece that might be of interest to the World Mission Network and also might help to guide us in relationship with Western Tanganyika and Gloucester."

We explore the complex ethics of global aid with a young writer from Kenya, Binyavanga Wainaina. He is among a rising generation of African voices who bring a cautionary perspective to the morality and efficacy behind many Western initiatives to abolish poverty and speed development in Africa.

Read it all here or navigate to http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/programs/2008/ethics_of_aid-kenya/. You can also sign up for Speaking of Faith's weekly Podcast; Celeste is a regular listener.

Review of History and Geography of the Anglican Diocese of Western Tanganyika

From Celeste Ventura:

"After listening to Bishop Mary, at St. George's months ago, reading the World Mission network blog, being at Convention as we endorsed the Triad Companion relationship, I realized my knowledge of the history and people of the Anglican Diocese of Western Tanganyika (ADWT) was sketchy at best. Robin suggested I check out the BBC. With a little investigation and reading I have developed the following draft." (Note: This draft has been converted to a Google Document and can be read by clicking here or by navigating to http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=ddxjv5w5_7dzd63cg4- ed.)

Celeste continues, citing the introductory paragraph of her draft: "My intention in developing this draft is to educate myself as to the history and geography of East Africa and in particular Tanzania. My hope is that others will take this beginning document and add their knowledge an findings, correct as needed, and thereby inform us as a diocese, enhancing our ability to be in relationship with the people of ADWT. If you should come across examples of East African literature, art and music, I would particularly like to add them..."

email Celeste if you would like to participate in growing this document!

Conference Call Tonight!

There will be a Conference Call today, December 4, at 6:00pm
Telebridge Number: 916-233-0499
Guest PIN: 40381

Everyone is welcome to join the call. We will be talking about what are the next steps for the network, and we will be discussing the possibility of putting together a retreat for the network early next year.

Also, the Network's November Update is now available: Click Here
or look under "Mission Data Files" on the right column.

Outreach in ECR - Acting Globally AND Locally

Barbara Snyder, St. Mark's, Santa Clara, has authored two articles we are featuring on the World Mission Network Blog. The articles describe the how Barbara and Don Snyder are working to fulfill the call to service locally and abroad through work with Habitat for Humanity and in healthcare centers. The articles are posted in the"Mission Stories" section, below right. The pictures are of Barbara and Don (and crew) from their recent Habit for Humanity trip to Poland. Barbara is also an author, having written a book: Thomas the Apostle, a historical fiction account of St. Thomas' missionary journey to India. Learn more about her work at : http://www.thomasapostle.net/

Partnership Request- Food Assistance Urgently Needed- Haiti

St. Dunstan's Carmel has been involved in a 26 year relationship with St. Andres School in Hinche Haiti. 90% of their parish is involved in this ministry in some way! An important part of their support has been the school lunch program, which for many students is the only meal they get in a day. Their funding partner is no longer able to provide assistance. St. Dunstan's is urgently seeking a new funding partner to begin assistance in January of 2009.
Contact Mel Blevins at: mblevens AT comcast.net

To learn more about the history and context of thier ministry read: 26 years with Haiti

Food Assistance Needed - Hinche, Haiti

by Sarah Pease, St. Dunstan's Carmel

In Hinche, a town of about 40,000 in the central plateau of Haiti, the markets are colorful with fresh vegetables and fruit , baskets of rice, eggs and dried fish- even sugar cane pieces to chew for the sweet juice. Walking through the town, you can often see women selling a few bananas and perhaps a woman with a basket of cookies on her head. They are one of the cheapest things in Haiti. Children eating these dark, hard cookies are a regular sight. Food looks plentiful, but it is hard to come by because the prices have shot up astronomically in the last year – 100 – 200 per cent. But the cookies are cheap and plentiful. And easy to make. All you need is a little sugar or a very little milk powder and lots of good, rich Haitian dirt. Nice and dark so the dirt-cookies will look appetizing. Pat it all together with some water and let them dry in the sun. Cookies for sale. A woman interviewed by one of St. Dunstan’s visiting Haiti Ministry members was asked how often her child ate. After a pause, she said quietly, “Maybe…every other day.” A child who has one small meal every other day will have a few dirt cookies to silence that stomach.

The children of St. Andre’s School in Hinche have been lucky to have a good hot lunch every day for the past several years. St. Dunstan’s provided salaries for cooks, bought propane stoves and utensils for this effort and a wonderful private foundation underwrote the food cost. The staff of St Andre’s kept accurate records of the children’s weight and height. They grew amazingly and their scores on national tests shot up. It was astonishing how much learning took place once those stomachs stopped hurting. But the costs of providing the food for this meal have forced Mercy and Sharing, the non-profit foundation who were funding this effort to shut down. A St Dunstan’s parish member has given emergency help which will last through December. St. Dunstan’s is a very small parish and has been raising half the annual cost of St Andre’s – a school of 680 children – for more than twenty years. Help is urgently needed to continue this program. It is our hope that another parish in the Diocese will be interested in partnering with us to provide food for these students for another year.

Companionship Prayer

The following prayer, in both English and Swahili, is a prayer for this new triad companion relationship between our diocese, the diocese of Gloucester, and the diocese of Western Tanganyika. Bishop Michael wrote it, based on the companionship agreement, and with the input of Bishops Gerard and Mary. The Bishops have agreed to hold one another in prayer.

Please join Bishops Mary, Michael, and Gerard in praying for our new relationship together:

Holy God,
source of healing and of peace,
bless with your grace the companion dioceses
of El Camino Real, Gloucester and Western Tanganyika.
Through our partnership one with another
may we grow in mutual affection and communion,
seek a more profound experience of truth,
build up the Church in unity
and give glory to Jesus Christ our Saviour.

Ewe Mungu uliye mtakatifu
Asili ya uponyaji na amani, Tunakuomba kwa neema yako
uzibariki dayosisi zinazoshirikiana za El Camino Real, Gloucester
na Western Tanganyika, ili kwa njia ya uhusiano huu kati yetu,
tuweze kukua katika kuungamana pamoja na kuelewana,
tukichuchumilia kuijua kweli yako hata kulijenga kanisa katika umoja
na kumtukuza Yesu Kristo Mwokozi wetu, Amina.

A Message from Bishop Gerard

The following is an email message from Bishop Gerard of Western Tanganyika, one of our new companion dioceses. He describes the beautiful ceremony they have planned for the signing of the companionship agreement, which will take place this Sunday, November 30.

Dear Mary and Michael;

We are getting more excited as we draw near to the real day....Sunday Nov. 30.

Let me briefly share with you what we have planned to do. The Launching ceremony will be done at St Peters Church, at Mwanga Musanga Parish. As I said this is my home town and home church. I had already planned to visit them on this Sunday and so we decided we might as well have the launching event there.

We shall begin the Eucharist service until after the Nicene Creed. After the Creed we will sing a song as my chair gets brought forward in front of the Alter. After I am sitted into my Episcopal Chair, the Diocesan Secretary Canon Mathayo Kasagara (who by the way is our communication person) will read a statement to set the stage as to what we are about to do. After he finishes the reading, there will be a procession of bringing the Partinership agreement to the bishop. There will be three women carrying three barrel like african traditional baskets. The middle basket will be a little bigger and will contain the official document to be signed. The other two baskets will contain the swahili versions. So as the process begins from the main door at the back of the church, they will be escorted by young men and women dancing and celebrating the joy of the beginning of our companion relationship. After they arrive in front of the bishop, the bishop will receive the middle basket containing the gift of our relationship ie the official document. This is how chiefs received special gifts from their people. Then another lady will then read the agreement document. After the reading, and before signing it, a swahili translation will be read to allow people to hear the contents of our agreement. After the Swahili version is read, I will stand up and sign the agreement on the alter in the midst of shouts of joy and celebration. After the signing is done, I will say the partinership prayer in swahili and then a choir will sing the set song for the occasion. Then my sermon will follow.

That is what we have planned to do. After the document is signed, it will be put back into the same basket which will be kept in my office. When people come to my office they will always remark about the beauty of that basket and I will always remark that, the beauty of that basket is the symbol of the beauty of our tripartite relationship. By the way after my signature, one of our senior lay canon and also a Trustee member of the diocese will also sign as a witness.

I have another suggestion to make. Since you two are coming here in March, how about signing our partnership together during your visit, rather than mailing copies to each other? Here we really don't trust our mail system. We might lose some copies. So if you really like what we want to do on Nov 30th, we could repeat the same celebration here at the Cathedral when we are all three together. What do you think about this idea?

+ Gerard

Good News from Sudan

We have wonderful news from Juba. Guet, the wife of James Atem Tuor has been found and her abductor is in jail. In talking with James yesterday, Guet seems to be unharmed and is staying with elders of her clan in Juba. Your prayers and concerns have been most helpful during these trying times. Equally, important have been your generous commitment to help James Atem get to Juba to be with his wife in what has to be a healing for both of them. We are hoping that today we will have sufficient funds committed so that he can leave tomorrow for Nairobi and then on to Juba.

The circumstance with Guet is all to common in Sudan and elsewhere. The marriage customs are out of control with exhorbinent dowries being required now for brides. Consequently, older men are able to marry several wives or guys that are in the US, Canada, and Australia can seemingly afford to raise the funds for the marriage. Consequently, thousands of young men are without means to find a wife. Increasingly, they turn to abduction of attractive young women. Fortunately, Guet was not spirited away to a distant village where she could have disappeared permanently.

Please keep Guet and James Atem in your prayers as well as her abductor.

I (Jerry Drino) am planning to leave on December 5 to fly to Nairobi and then on to Juba for meetings with the President of Southern Sudan and his cabinet as the leaders of a delegation of US based Sudanese NGOs that have been started by other former Lost Boys/Girls who are now doing projects in Education, Health, Water and Agriculture in southern Sudan.

Prayer for the success of this endeavor, as well

Jerry Drino

Bishop Mary's Address to Convention 2008

Photo: Copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson, used with permission







Click here to read the full text of Bishop Mary's Address: Bishop's Convention Address

Bishop Mary, in her address to Convention, encouraged us all to stretch our boundaries, locally and globally

• She challenged us to get to know someone or a context in our community that is outside our comfort zone, remembering that multi-cultural parishes grow far faster:

"Be mindful in your prayers about where you may need to stretch: children? Culture? Color? Gender? Sexuality? We all have an edge that meets the open expanse of change as we encounter the reality of another. Make it a point this year to take in and absorb, rather than judge, the fullness of another, who is other, than you."

• She talked about the thought behind establishing a companion relationship:

"In other words there had to be enough room in this relationship that we could be ourselves: those who could be financially generous and those who can only give a little, gay, straight, world travelers, homebodies, lay and clergy. This would not be a relationship just for the bishops, but a large communal space that could potentially hold us all."

• She talked about how the Triad Relationship was visioned:
  

"[Bishop] Michael [Perham of Gloucester] suggested that in companioning, we really needed to have an American, an English and an African diocese companion together, keeping all the matters that challenge our communion before us; owning, accepting and working with the myriad of our theological and cultural diversity, speaking, listening, challenging and helping one another in the ways that we each need.

I believe we are being gifted with this opportunity of a triad relationship with Gloucester and Western Tanganyika for both mission and for a deeper relationship with fellow Anglicans around the communion."

• She spoke about the place of this Companionship in our ongoing mission efforts:
  

"I am well aware that individuals, groups and entire congregations in our diocese have significant and important relationships with other churches, schools and outreach organizations around the communion. It is not the intention of a diocesan companion relationship to displace those, but rather to add to the repertoire of mission and communion opportunities of our diocese, so that whomever would like to participate will have a chance to do so."

• She played this video from YouTube- to show the context for our ministry, and responded to it (below):
  

"Sort of scary isn’t it? Stop trying to keep up – we will make ourselves crazy trying to do that. In fact, the key is to go to the deeper stillness of God’s abiding Presence, not to try to keep pace with all these shifts. 'Be Still and Know that I am God' has never been a more necessary spiritual practice than in these days. Jesus Christ is still our foundation, and spiritual principles are timeless... When we are grounded in Christ, we are okay, no matter what. He is our foundation. I imagine that people caught off guard and overwhelmed by the rapid shifts in our lives, might appreciate a firm foundation and some timeless spiritual principles... Across all our diversity, grounding in an eternal and spiritual reality is something we all seek. That basic human need is one of our most unifying realities"

• The Triad Companion Diocese relationship was enthusiastically approved by the delegates!
  
• See More info on the Companionship in posts below: Click Here
  

Emergency in Sudan

Guet Garang, 22 year old wife of James Atem Tuor of San José has been abducted in Juba, Southern Sudan. She has been living with her mother and a sister in an apartment which James Atem provides for them in Nakuru, Kenya and had gone a week ago to visit another sister in Juba. On Tuesday, five days later she disappeared, presumably abducted after she left the home.

Obviously, James Atem is terribly distraught. We are in the process of booking a ticket for him to fly to Juba as soon as possible so that he can be closer to the search efforts. His uncle is a commander of the Sudanese People Liberation Army and holding the office of retirement personnel. He is heading up the search process

Please keep Guet and her safety and James Atem and their family in your prayers.

We are seeking any contributions to cover the $1650 round trip airfare to Nairobi and the $700 round trip airfare from their to Juba.

Please send donations to

Hope With Sudan
5038 Hyland Ave
San José, CA 95127
www.hopewithsudan.org

Thank you

Jerry Drino
Executive Director
Hope With Sudan
(408) 806-4506

jdrino@hopewithsudan.org

Triad Companion Relationship Accepted

At the Diocese of El Camino Real Convention yesterday, the delegation unanimously passed a resolution which makes official our new companion relationship with the Diocese of Gloucester in England and the Diocese of Western Tanganyika in Tanzania.

See Bishop Mary’s powerpoint presentation on Lambeth and this new relationship below: Click Here

See the network’s discussion article on this relationship below: Click Here

Bishop Mary said in her address to Convention that she had already been stretched and transformed this companion relationship, and she knows that wonder is in store for us.

The Bishop also said that this relationship is not a replacement for other mission activities. Rather, it will add to the repertoire of mission companionship opportunities in our Diocese.

World Mission Network Presentation at Convention

The World Mission Network gave a presentation at the 2008 Diocese of El Camino Real Convention.

The following video was shown, and everyone who had participated in mission work this year, who was present, came up on stage. Jerry Drino talked about the network, and several people talked about what mission means to them. Thank you to everyone who made a special effort to be at convention for our presentation!

If you would like a copy of this DVD please email Robin Denney at: redenney AT gmail.com

Table of Contents

Welcome to the Blog of the World Mission Network!

This Blog:

• To comment on any article, click on "comments" at the bottom of the article, fill in the box provided, and add your name. Choose the "anonymous" option so you don't have to create an account.
  
• To see photos with captions from mission activities, click on the slideshow "Partnership in Action" in the top right corner
• To see documents produced by the WMN, see the "Mission Data Files" section in the right side bar
• To see Personal Stories about mission work and parish relationships see "Your Mission Stories" in the right side bar
• To see websites of our mission partners see: "Links- Our Mission Partners" "Links- Our NGO Partners" in the right side bar
• To see background resources see: "Links- Resources" in the right side bar
  

About us:

The World Mission Network is a forum of the Episcopal Diocese of El Camino Real. Each parish in the diocese is encouraged to have at least one person on our contact list. We send out a monthly update with info from this blog, as well as the roster from all the churches. The network has a non-hierarchical structure. There are no officers, and it is not a decision making body. Those who wish to be more involved in the running of the network can join the “Mission Circle” which is a group of people within the network who have agreed to receive more frequent communications, and participate in promoting the network, information sharing, and visioning.

• If you are new to this site, let us recommend some important articles:

Concerning the World Mission Network:

• Report to Convention 2008: who we are, accomplishments, challenges: click here
• See upcoming events in the right-hand sidebar
• Video Presentation (10 minutes) of mission involvement around the diocese 2008: click here

Concerning our new Triad Companion Relationship:

• Bishop Mary’s Powerpoint Presentation outline of the relationship 9-25-08: click here
• Discussion Topic about the Relationship: 9-11-08 click here
• Bishop Mary’s Address to Convention 2008, introducing the relationship: 11-21-08 click here
• Convention accepts relationship: 11-9-08 click here
• A Message from Bishop Gerard (Western Tanganyika): 11-25-08 click here
• Companionship Prayer: 11-25-08 click here

Mission Involvement around the Diocese and contact info for parishes:

• Mission Data File: posted in the right hand column, updated monthly: click here
• Monthly Updates: posted in the right hand column: November update click here
• Graphic: Map of involvement: click here

Discussion topics – You can add your thoughts on these or on any article:

• Triad Companion Relationship- click here
• Millennium Development Goals- click here
• Anglican Communion- click here

Questions? Please contact us!

Communications: Joanna Shreve: jrshreve AT aol.com
Blog: Michael Ridgway: mwridgway AT earthlink.net

Mission Circle:
Jerry Drino, Hope with Sudan: jdrino AT hopewithsudan.org
Julie Fudge, St. John’s Capitola
Sylvestre Romero, St. Phillip’s San Jose
Charles Greenleaf, St. John’s Capitola
Karen Greenleaf, St. John’s Capitola
Celeste Ventura, St. Mary’s Pacific Grove
Peter Troop, St. Jude’s Cupertino
Bill Shreve, St. Timothy’s Mountain View
Joan Anderson, St. John’s Capitola
Linda Morris, St. Jude’s Cupertino
Gloria VanBree, All Saint’s Palo Alto
Mary Lou McKenney, All Saint’s Watsonville

Sudan Advocacy Action Forum Situation Update 29-2008

Dear Friends of Sudan,

This update will address issues in both Darfur and Kordofan.

In recent days there has been a flurry of worrisome reports. The first was that Khartoum and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) -- which runs the semi-autonomous south and is a partner in the Government of National Unity -- both have been building up their armies ahead of the 2009 elections and 2011 referendum when the South will choose whether to secede from the north. Khartoum has been purchasing arms from China and North Korea, including fighter jets and tankers, while the Southerners, suspecting that Khartoum is bent on scuttling the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), have been preparing for any eventuality.

There have been reports about the kidnapping of nine Chinese oil workers, the third such incident in the energy-producing state of South Kordofan in the past year, and the death of five of them. Who was responsible for the
kidnapping and the deaths is unclear, but what is clear is that analysts say the underdeveloped region could become another violent flashpoint. Although the kidnapping took place in South Kordofan, the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), one of the Darfuri rebel factions, is being blamed. If indeed JEM is responsible, its action expands insecurity from neighbouring Darfur into the Kordofan region.

Pray for peace for the people of Sudan.

In His Service,

Bill
Bill Andress
Sudan Advocacy Action Forum

************************************************************************

Sudan Update 29-2008

October 31, 2008

SAAF Note: People who want to help make a difference in Darfur
frequently ask if sending money to aid organizations would be beneficial. The painful answer is that the factors that currently inhibit the aid agencies have less to do with insufficient funds and are more related to issues of insecurity and violence perpetrated by the Government of Sudan (GoS) and in some instances warlords who have taken advantage of the internally displaced persons (IDPs).

Darfur: Humanitarian Access

Humanitarian access in Darfur is primarily determined by a combination of three factors:

1. The degree of general insecurity, which may require the United Nations and other humanitarian partners to suspend or limit operations in certain unsafe areas for a certain amount of time;

2. The continued harassment of humanitarian organizations and workers, including blanket denial of humanitarian access, bureaucratic obstacles,detention and intimidation of national staff, bullying and temporary denial of access to affected areas and IDP camps.

3. Targeted attacks on humanitarians and their assets, including hijacking of cars and abduction of personnel, physical violence directed towards humanitarian workers, road ambushes, destruction of NGO assets and armed break-ins in humanitarian compounds. Between July and October, one national humanitarian worker was killed and 12 wounded. So far this year, 11 national humanitarians have been killed against 13 during the whole year 2007. One hundred and forty-four times humanitarian premises have been assaulted/broken into during the first nine months of 2008 against 93 for the whole of 2007. (UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Report: Section II, page 4)

Darfur: Education

Preliminary data gathered at the beginning of the 2008 school year (June-July) showed encouraging progress with 126,619 children (96,923 boys and 56,696 girls) enrolled as 1st graders in the three states in Darfur. Total primary school enrolment in Darfur, according to Ministry of Education data, is now nearly 977,000 - 65 per cent of the primary school population. SAAF Note:
This is far better support of education than is experienced in Southern Sudan.

Darfur: Child protection

In August, a new Family and Child Protection Unit officially opened in North
Darfur, following the establishment of a similar unit in West Darfur earlier in
the year. The units are managed by local GoS police, with support from UNICEF, and provide specialist services to victims, offenders and witnesses of abuse and exploitation - services include social work, legal aid, psychosocial support, forensic evidence collection and child friendly investigation. The Units are also engaged in awareness raising and monitoring in communities, targeting high-risk areas with prevention activities and messages and through community dialogue. Preparations for a third Unit in South Darfur are ongoing and will open with UNICEF support in January 2009. (Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Report: Section IV, pages 14- 15)

Sudan's Southern Kordofan Problem: The Next Darfur?

The Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) that ended Sudan's generation-long North-South civil war in 2005 is at risk in Southern Kordofan state, where many of the same ingredients exist that produced the vicious Darfur conflict.

Southern Kordofan is a new state, created by the CPA, in the critical border area between North and South, a zone of ethnic interaction between Arab(mainly Misseriya and Hawazma) and indigenous African (mainly Nuba) tribes. Inadequate implementation of the CPA's special protocol relating to the region has led to insecurity and growing dissatisfaction. Tribal reconciliation based on negotiation of a common agenda, establishment of an efficient state government administration and adherence to the CPA's principles of power and wealthsharing have to be fostered from Khartoum and pushed forward by the international guarantors. There has been some limited recent progress, but much more is urgently needed.

The state's inhabitants were mobilized by the opposing sides during the North/South war and despite the CPA remain deeply scarred by that conflict, polarized and fragmented along political and tribal lines. They are armed and organized and feel increasingly abandoned by their former patrons, who have not fulfilled their promises to provide peace dividends. Return of internally displaced persons (IDPs), development projects and creation of an integrated state government administration have all stalled. Hundreds of people have died in disputes over land and grazing rights, with no comprehensive or sustainable local or national response. Efforts by the NCP and SPLM to co-opt Arab and African tribes, respectively, prior to elections by politicizing development policies are aggravating tensions.
(ICG Report, October 2008) http://www.crisisgroup.org/home/index.cfm?id=5738&l=1)

Blog Entry - Update #1 from Robin Denney in Sudan

From Robin Denney 24 October - Juba, Capitol of Southern Sudan
I arrived in Juba yesterday, greeted by Bishop Alapayo, and two others, John from the Kampala office, and Simon Peter from the development arm of the church. Everyone has been so welcoming. The bishops of Sudan have been gathered for training in Juba for the last two weeks, so I got to be here for the last two days, and meet the bishops. It has been a wonderful opportunity, having most of them in the same place. I met with the Archbishop and Bishop Alapayo today, and we discussed the details of the assignment. Which will be based in Juba, creating an stratigic plan for the establishment of an agricultural department for the whole province, and begining some projects in different diocses, begining with Rumbek. The rest of the day today, I've been catching each of the bishops for a chat about their diocese and the challenges and gifts they have in the way of agriculture. It has been facinating. Despite all they are facing, there is real positive energy here, among the bishops, and a sence of hope. I have spent the day between overwhelmingly excited about working here, and overwhelmed at the scope of what I am being asked to do. But I was able to speak frankly with the Archbishop about expectations, and what I think can be realistically accomplished in a year. He is very committed to agriculture work, and the other bishops are very pleased to have me. Despite the challenges, I am excited by the energy I have expereinced among the bishops these two days, and I am excited about this job... really amazing job. I spent time today talking with another expat who has lived here many years. He reminds me that we never feel prepared for this work, and that when it comes down to it, no one is prepared to face the challenges Southern Sudan is facing, but something is better than nothing. It is supper time, so I have to run!
love to you all, Robin

Mission Partnership Opportunity Alert

I received the following email from Canon Enock Tombe, Secretary General of the Episcopal Church in Sudan. Robin Denney, an agricultural advisor missionary from the Diocese of El Camino Real, is leaving Sunday from SFO for a two week assessment interview in Sudan, She will be placed as the Agricultural Advisor for the Episcopal Church in the Sudan in January or February. I inquired of Enock if there were any resources she needed to bring. He talked with six bishops who were in Juba, the southern capitol and gave me this response.

If you can do anything in the next 24 hours to make this response, please get back to me.

Thank you

Jerry

Jerry Drino, Executive Director -Hope With Sudan
408-259-2111 office
408-806-4506 cell

-------------------------------

Dear Rev. Jerry W. Drino,

Thanks very much for your message. I have consulted the Bishops who are currently in Juba since 13/10/2008 attending an Organisational Governance course for two weeks. The course is being facilitated by CORAT Africa and organised by SUDRA, the Development and Relief Agency of ECS. The list of items required are as follows:

1. Lui Diocese/Lui Hospital- TB medicines.
2. Malakal Diocese - Sprinkle water pump for irrigation.
3. Lainya Diocese - I-Mate Phone.
4. El Obied Diocese - Lap top computer.
5. Ezo Diocese - Money for purchasing 80 litres of diesel for Bishops tour of his Diocese from mid- November to December 2008.
6. Rejaf Diocese- Lap top computer or Video Camera.

I hope the information will help you support the six Dioceses.

Looking forward to your reply.


Regards,


Rev. Canon Enock Tombe
PS/ECS Juba.

Convention Presentation!

The WMN is putting on a presentation during convention, so mark your calendars: Saturday November 8, Sherwood Hall, Salinas. The presentation will be sometime between 11:30am and 1:00pm. Everyone who has been involved in mission work this year, is invited to join us on stage, to give the delegation an idea of how alive mission work is in our diocese. We will also have a powerpoint presentation going with info and pictures.

Please get information and photos about the specific trips, relationships, or projects your church has supported this year, and email them to Robin Denney: redenney@gmail.com, or mail them to her at: 8620 Piedras Altos Ave, Atascadero, CA 93422.
The deadline for submission is November 3.

US Sudanese Form an Alliance for Development

Eighteen Sudanese non-governmental organizations NGOs met in Rochester, NY on September 20-21. Developed over the last four to five years by groups who came as "The Lost Boys of Sudan," the intention of the meeting was to form an alliance to create a unified program to deliver clean water, medical facilities, schools and agricultural development projects to war-torn Southern Sudan. Among the leaders of this group are John Dau ("God Grew Tired of Us"), Salva Dut ("Water for Sudan"), Aduie de Riak (New Sudan Education Initiative) and Valantino Achak Deng ("What is the What"). Currently the combined work of the eighteen NGOs is impacting about a quarter of a million people in southern Sudan. It is their vision that the combined and coordinate the efforts of all the NGOs to assist the Government of Southern Sudan and the communities to re-establish and transform themselves into self-sufficient societies that will thrive and live in peace. Fr. Jerry Drino was elected as the chairman of the executive committee.

Want to read more? Follow this link to the following news article and video clip.
See also the Organizational Roster and the Hope of Sudan Mission Core Values Statement.

END POVERTY 2015: Praying to Make it Happen -- ACTION

From Jerry Drino:

The Episcopal Public Policy Network
Policy Alert

Click here to read about how you can tell lawmakers to renew commitment to MDGs.

Bishop Mary's Presentation on Lambeth

The powerpoint presentation that Bishop Mary gave at Lambeth, is now available here on our blog! In it, you will see pictures and information about the Bishop's time at Lambeth, and also background for the proposed Triad Companion Diocese Relationship between ECR, Gloucester, and Western Tanganyika.



Please post your thoughts about this triad relationship by commenting on this article, or the article below which details the relationship.

9-15 Conference Call Summary

The World Mission Network Conference call was held on 9-15-08. An agenda prepared by Rev. Jerry Drino was presented and a lively discussion among the participants followed for over an hour.

Comments and questions were offered regarding the Triad Diocesan Companion relationship presented by Bishop Mary. Next steps were proposed for improving communication among members and the identification of parish representatives. Further discussion centered on the Diocesan Convention, specifically the presentation and a display. Read the minutes by clicking the link below for further information and details:

Conference Call Minutes 9-15-08

Experience THE GIRL EFFECT

From David Wittrock (St. Mary's, Pacific Grove) regarding "The Girl Effect": The humanitarian organization CARE has posted an informative video presentation on its website showing that by investing in girls' education we are assisting in one of the best ways to fight global poverty.

Watch the video here

Your Mission Stories

Please share your mission stories with us! You can post comments to this article with your story, or email the World Mission Network with your story so we can post it!

See the "Your Mission Stories" section in the right hand sidebar, where links to mission stories will be posted.

See the newest story: A reflection from Jackie Boynton on Epiphany Lutheran and Episcopal Church's 10 year relationship with Rwanda: 10 Years with Rwanda

Discussion Topic - 3 Way Diocesan Companion Relationship

What do you think about the possibility of a 3-way Diocesan Relationship, as proposed by the Bishop? How do you think this relationship will impact our diocese?


Background:
At a meeting of the World Mission Network, Bishop Mary proposed a Triad Companion Diocese Relationship with a diocese from the Church of England (Gloucester) and a diocese from the Anglican Church of Tanzania (Western Tanganyika). Bishop Mary met Bishop Michael (Gloucester) and Bishop Gerard (Western Tanganyika) at Lambeth. All three of them are interested in perusing a relationship together, engaging in conversation about the issues facing our churches and the communion (i.e. women's ordination to the episcopate, human sexuality, poverty, etc.) and in working side by side on mission projects.

We are gathering comments from people around the diocese. Please post your thoughts here!

What would this look like?
-The bishops would visit each other for conventions and other participatory events.
-The bishops would continue in conversation and come up with a "rule of life" that they can share.
-Groups from each diocese would be engaged together in conversation, visits, and mission projects.

See the discussion points from our meeting's minutes:
Minutes 9-6-08 Meeting

Also, see the Presentation given by Bishop Mary on Lambeth and this relationship: Presentation

Conference Call- "The Circle of Mission"

You Are Invited!

On Monday, September 15 at 7pm we will have a follow-up conference call to plan our next step. We have reserved a conference call line for 30 participants. Anyone who would like to join the conference call is welcome to do so in the spirit of working as a network, which is a circular and inclusive model. In order to participate we ask that you email , Robin (redenney AT gmail.com) and Jerry (jdrino AT hopewithsudan.org) to say that you are joining the call and to list any issues or questions you would like to address by NOON, Monday September 15 so that talking points can be addressed.

Review the minutes from last Saturday's meeting with the Bishop to renew our actions.
Minutes 9-6-08 Meeting

Then follow these steps:

Dial the Telebridge Number: 916-233-0499
Wait for the prompt to give the Guest PIN#. Enter 39642

-Posted by Jerry Drino

Meeting with Bishop Mary

The World Mission Network met with Bishop Mary on Saturday September 6 in Salinas. More than 40 people attended. The bishop talked about her experience at Lambeth this summer, and presented a concept for a Triad Companion Diocese Relationship between ECR, a diocese in Tanzania, and a diocese in England.

See the full report of the meeting including discussion and next steps: Minutes 9-6-08 Meeting

See the supporting documents that the Bishop presented: Bishop Mary's Presentation on Lambeth

Remember, documents are also posted in the sidebar of the page under "Mission Data Files"

News from Southern India

More than 30,000 Christian educational institutions across Southern India closed for a day to hold a peaceful protest of the escalating violence against Christians across Southern India. Now the government is threatening to take action against these institutions for the protest.

READ about it at Episcopal Life online:
http://www.episcopalchurch.org/81808_100398_ENG_HTM.htm

Bishop Mary to Report to World Mission Network

Saturday September 6
9:30am-1pm
At: St. George's Salinas


Our bishop has worked hard and prayerfully in her mission to discern where God is calling her and our diocese to enter more fully into companionship with other parts of the Anglican Communion. On Saturday, September 6 Bishop Mary invites congregations to send their representatives to a gathering of the diocesan World Mission Network at St. George's, Salinas. Registration begins at 9:30 am with gathering prayers at 10:00 am. Last spring, in preparation for her participation in the Lambeth Conference she asked the diocese to help her discern where we need to move in forming a diocesan companion relationship with other parts of the Anglican Communion. A steering committee was formed, surveys were conducted and a discernment day for congregational representatives was held in May. A report was then generated and sent to her as part of the preparation for Lambeth. (See recent Mission Bell) She is now ready to report back to the diocese.

The impact (or "foot print") which our dioceses has in the world is quite significant.

Please send your reservations to Susan Altig: susan AT edecr.org by September 1.
All interested persons are invited

World Mission Network Survey Report Now Available

The World Mission Network has completed the first draft of its report on the mission involvement of the Diocese of El Camino Real.
The WMN will keep this report up to date, and it will always be available on this blog on the right hand column under “Mission Data”.

Please keep the World Mission Network updated with your parish’s involvement. If you see any changes that need to be made to the data, please email Robin Denney: redenney AT gmail.com

The Report includes and introduction, and then two data files.

Mission Report to Bishop Mary
Mission Data by Parish
Mission Data by Region

Our Mission Involvement

Click on the map above to see a larger version. This map shows the different places around the world that our Diocese has relationships and mission involvement. For contact information to learn more about any of these projects email Robin Denney. To submit information about any projects not depicted above, please post a comment here or email Robin Denney: redenney AT gmail.com

Discussion Topic -- MDGs

How do you see your current involvement or desire to be involved in furthering the work of the MDGs?
Can you vision this work in the context of partnerships?
Are partnerships important to you?

Background
There has been much talk about the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) throughout the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion. (See link below for more info on the MDGs)
* Goal 1: Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
* Goal 2: Achieve universal primary education
* Goal 3: Promote gender equality and empower women
* Goal 4: Reduce child mortality
* Goal 5: Improve maternal health
* Goal 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases
* Goal 7: Ensure environmental sustainability
* Goal 8: Develop a Global Partnership for Development

Of the 8 goals, the first 7 are directed to the "Two-Thirds World" (also called the developing world). The 8th goal is the goal which is directed to the Global North. The 8th goal is the goal upon which the other 7 hinge. Sustainable, healthy, long-term development can only occur when the vision of the local community is lifted up, and the people are empowered to work toward the completion of their own goals. Unfortunately, it is the 8th goal that has been most neglected. In our attempt to help, the Global North has often worked unilaterally, without the input of the Two-Thirds World.

How can we change the course, and make the 8th goal a reality?

More information on the Millennium Development Goals: http://www.undp.org/mdg/

Companion Relationship

Our diocese has begun the process of seeking a Companion Diocese Relationship. A Companion Diocese Relationship is an official relationship entered into by two dioceses in different parts of the Anglican Communion.

Companion Relationships exist to strengthen each participant in ministry and mission. Ideally, such relationships will involve the partners in increased awareness of the single mission to which each is called. That mission includes: Mutual encouragement and prayer for one another, Intensified knowledge of and concern for one another, and the exchange of resources both spiritual and material. (Guidelines for Companion Relationships, http://www.episcopalchurch.org/agr/companion/)

Bishop Mary asked us to begin the diocesan World Mission Network to celebrate, vision, and empower each other in our mission together. Part of that work has been the beginning of the discernment process for where we may be called to form a Companion Relationship. We gathered at a discernment day (see earlier blog entry) in April. From that day, we came up with some guidelines for Bishop Mary to use as she meets with bishops from around the world at Lambeth this summer. On September 6, the World Mission Network will be having a meeting at St. George’s Salinas (9:30am-12:30pm), everyone who is interested in companionship, mission, or the world, should join us! Bishop Mary will be reporting to us about her time at Lambeth, and the process of moving forward with a Companion Relationship.

Please look at the “Next Steps” section under the blog entry for April 19, and add your comments. What would you add? What points do you think are most important?

Discussion Topic -- Anglican Communion

How do you see the importance of the Anglican Communion? What is it's value?

Background
Until the last 5 years, many Episcopalians did not know that we are part of a global body called the Anglican Communion. The Anglican Communion is a difficult thing to understand! We are connected around the world to a group of 44 independent churches (the Episcopal Church is one of these). In total, there are more than 80 million people in the Anglican Communion in 160 different countries. The Episcopal Church, with 2.6 million, makes up just over 3% of the population of the Anglican Communion). All 44 churches of the Communion have ties to the Church of England (either in historical roots, or current practice). The Archbishop of Canterbury is one of the four "Instruments of Communion", in other words, one of the four bodies that unite the churches of the Communion. (you can read about the other instruments of communion at the link below). The Archbishop of Canturbury is not the head of the church, but rather the "first among equals". He can make no decisions for other churches, but acts as a spiritual leader, and a uniting force (as the one who invites all the members to a common table).

More information, profiles of Provinces around the world: http://www.anglicancommunion.org/

Get Involved!

Thank you to everyone who participated in our Discernment Day (see the article below)! It was exciting to meet so many people from our diocese that have a passion for mission!

The network is still gathering information on the mission involvement of the diocese. Please email me with the mission involvement and interests of your parish. redenney@gmail.com Send me photos too!

If you have any ideas/topics for discussion on the blog, let me know!

Also if you have stories of your own mission involvement, or if you could write a reflection on what mission means to you, we are collecting these stories for the network.

Discernment Day

We began with informal chatting, and marking our global ministries on a “map” of the world. (we will try to turn this into a graphic and get it on the blog).

Gathering Prayer- Hank and Sherry LeBeau lead us in a short reflection on the unity of humanity and a gathering prayer Lakota and English.

Welcome and Introductions- Silvestre Romero gave us the vision for the day and lead the process of introductions, where each person present talked about the ministries going on in their parish. Silvestre explained how the Network came to be, and it’s purpose of gaining a vision of where we are, encouraging more mission activity, and discerning together where we might be led.

What is a Companion Relationship?- Robin Denney spoke about companion relationships, and the importance of partnership, walking alongside one another, and recognizing all we have to learn from each other. Also, how companion relationships form and what they look like, and their importance in the Anglican Communion.

Personal views of world mission – Jerry Drino told his story of being called to mission work throughout his life, from Alaska, to Watts, and now to Sudan. He talked about the importance of mission work, and of relationships. He showed us some strategic plans from Sudan, as examples of some of the pressing needs a diocese overseas might possess (being clear that this was an example, to spur ideas and not a proposed relationship).

Small Group Discernment- We broke up into small groups, and discussed our passion for mission, what we have to offer, what we hope to gain, what the mission network could do for us, and where we might be led in the future.

We then got together as a large group again to share our ideas:

Next Steps

What the World Mission Network can do:

· The mission network should put together a plan or report of the areas where we have connections, and ask the Bishop to pray over it, and go into Lambeth with these connections in mind.

· The Diocese may want to revisit it’s mission statement, to fit where we are now.

· The Network needs a mission statement.

· The Network will use the existing structure of the deaneries to get information out, and use the deanery meetings as a place to gather ideas and information, and communicate information about the Network.

· Communication is a huge part of what the Network will do, developing a system of communication using email, blog, website, and a phone/email tree style of personal connection through the network and deaneries, to be sure all congregations get the information

· The Network should seek to connect parishes throughout the diocese with mission resources and people who have experience.

· The Network should put together a resource directory where people looking for ideas can find contact info for people in parishes that have already done something similar

· Having returned missionaries come and speak helps to grow passion about mission, the network could organize visits.

· The Network should be a vehicle through which those engaged in mission can help parishes who are not engaged to grow a desire to do so… how to do this is an on-going discussion.

· The Network should have a presence at Convention with displays, and available contact information for different projects.

· Telling our mission stories is a critical part of spreading the passion for mission. We would like to collect these stories, and put them into some kind of a publication. Many times spiritual reflection and prayer come out of these stories, and we value that and hope that people include that in their stories.

· The network

· The email contact for the network (and coordinating committee) will be Robin Denney: redenney@gmail.com.

· The blog: worldmissionnetwork.blogspot.com will be a forum for discussions online. Please submit articles to Robin to be posted. Once posted, anyone can comment on an article. Please send photos and stories!

Qualities important to us in a Companion relationship:

· Choosing a region where we have some historical involvement

· There seem to be two clusters of current mission connections, one of which would be a good place to begin a companionship: East Africa or Caribbean/Central America.

· Pilgrimages of delegations from each diocese to enliven people’s passion about mission (Ease of Travel is a major consideration here.)

· Some passions we have to share are community organizing, political advocacy, and agriculture. In order to get a comprehensive view of what we have to offer in relationship, we should incorporate the needs and strengths of our diocese identified in the documents developed for the episcopal search process we went through.

· Ways for the children and youth to get involved

· Adult short term mission trips

· Language: ease of communication in forming relationships is important to us, so we suggest beginning with a relationship where many people speak English or Spanish.

· Listening to the vision of the people we seek to enter into relationship with is important.

Put September 6 on your calendars, to meet at St. George’s with Bishop Mary, to discuss the network, and hear her report from Lambeth

Closing Prayer- Robin Denney (Prayer 7 on page 840 BCP)