Good Shepherd THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD
Being Shaped and Formed in The Mind, The Way, The Ministry and the Gospel of Jesus Christ
PEACE & JUSTICE

As a living expression of our Christian faith, the Peace and Justice Ministry focuses on diversity, civil & human rights, non-violence, poverty, and the environment. If you are interested in making a difference, we would love for you to join us! We meet the second Sunday after the 10:15 service. So bring a sack lunch and drink.
For information, contact Clark Byron.

Check out these web sites to keep up to date on what is going on in the Episcopal Church:
http://www.episcopalchurch.org/peace_justice
http://www.episcopalchurch.org/eppn
www.un.org/millenniumgoals


Peace and Justice Ministries of the Episcopal Church

The Peace and Justice Ministries Office of the Episcopal Church equips Episcopalians to carry out the promise made in their Baptismal Covenant to "strive for peace and justice and respect the dignity of every human being."
The programs seek to support justice ministries at the local level by supporting networks - domestic and international, by providing resources, by sustaining committees and networks, and by advocating the social policies of the church to government.

Social Justice Ministry: Carrying out the Church's antiracism and social justice programs with resources and trainings for diocese and congregations.
www.episcopalchurch.org/social-justice.htm

Jubilee Ministry: Recognizing social service and advocacy programs in congregations and providing training, networking opportunities, and grants.
www.episcopalchurch.org/jubilee.htm

Government Relations: Take part in the ministry of Social Justice Advocacy with the Office of Government Relations and the EPPN. www.episcopalchurch.org/eppn.htm

Criminal Justice: Resources and guidance for diocese and congregations involved in or starting prison ministries.
www.episcopalchurch.org/33597_ENG_HTM.htm

Environmental Stewardship: Learn about what you and your church can do as stewards of God's creation.
www.episcopalchurch.org/1829_ENG_HTM.htm

Peace Ministries: Providing resources to assist congregations and individuals understand the Israeli/Palestinian conflict, what the Church's policies are, and steps towards justice and peace.
www.episcopalchurch.org/1834_ENG_HTM.htm

Additional Peace and Justice Ministries

Social Responsibility In Investments: Congregations and dioceses are encouraged to vote shareholder proxies on their stock portfolios based on national Church policy and shareholder resolutions filed by Executive Council. Issues include equality in the workplace, working conditions in overseas operations, environmental standards and military investments.
www.episcopalchurch.org/1866_10883_ENG_HTM.htm

Decade to Overcome Violence (2000 - 2010): Churches Seeking Reconciliation and Peace (DOV) is an initiative of the World Council of Churches that calls churches, ecumenical organizations, and all people of goodwill.
www.overcomingviolence.org/

Conscientious Objection: A Faithful Response.
www.episcopalchurch.org/1866_5268_ENG_HTM.htm

From the Litany of Penitence in the Book of Common Prayer:

For our waste and pollution of your creation, and our lack of concern for those who come after us, Accept our repentance, Lord.

 

 

Peace & Justice Activities :

KIVA GRANT INFORMATION
On our way to achieving the Millennium Development Goals, Church of the Good Shepherd has made loans in several countries on four continents. We are helping people all over the world to help themselves through an organization known as KIVA. Kiva's mission is to connect people through lending for the sake of alleviating poverty. For more information on this organization, go to www.KIVA.org.

Updates on some of the people that we are helping:
Mr. Sarat Phat, age 22, is single and lives with his mother and sisters in a small village outside of Phnom Penh in Cambodia. He has three sisters and one brother. Sarat has been a cell phone vendor for one year. He buys phones in Phnom Penh to resell at his home. He hopes to supplement his existing business by repairing phones and installing cell phone applications and MP3 and MP4 players. Through this new business he will be able to generate additional income to support his family. Sarat has applied for his first loan of $300 to purchase a computer for his business. Mr. Phat has paid back 80% of his loan.
FACT: The average annual income in Cambodia is $2,600. Right now, the Peace & Justice ministry is sponsoring 15 loans to individuals all over the world. A total of $124.16 has been repaid over the past month.
Our newest loan: Hugo Montoya is a family man, and he has two children. They are now in school, and in order to be able to register them he must make several payments. But at the moment, he does not have the money to pay. His children are finishing the school cycle. That is why he has requested cooperation with this loan. He wants his children to finish school. He plans on repaying the loan from his salary. He drives a freight truck for a transportation company.


The worldwide Millennium Development
Goals (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


Justice & Peace Quote of the Month

Taken from a Christmas card:

What Shall We Give The Children?
The open sky
Stars
Sunlight
Hugs
Clouds
Leafy trees
Flowers
The joy of learning
Blue water
Wonder
A straight answer
Peace on earth

The Good Shepherd
Church of the Good Shepherd
4947 NE Chouteau Drive
Kansas City, MO 64119
(816) 452-0745 home@goodshepherdkc.org
Our Church