What in the world is Episcopalians for Global Reconciliation?
Click here to download the 2008 EGR brochure.
What is EGR's mission?
Direct the Church's attention globally - Using the Millennium Development Goals as a structure for living out Christ’s call to seek and serve him in “the least of these” (Matthew 25)
Make explicit the Christ center of the MDG movement in the Church - Draw people to this mission not as a secular agenda but as a way to fulfill Jesus’ words “that all might have life and have it in abundance.” (John 10:10)
Herald a call to conversion at every level of our common life How does EGR ignite and fuel this movement? As befits a grassroots movement, EGR works through many emerging structures. Our network of diocesan contacts serve as portals for sharing resources, ideas, stories and problem-solving. EGR's bi-monthly e-newsletter ("What One Can Do") goes out to nearly 5,000 people across the Church with ideas, stories, & resources of engaging this mission. Using social networking sites like FaceBook and MySpace, EGR has built a network of more than 600 youth and young adults across the church (a network that is literally growing by the hour!). EGR’s promotion of the U2charist movement has spread Christ’s call to global reconciliation throughout the church (and to many unchurched). EGR’s website, blog (e4gr.blogspot.com) and listserv (groups.google.com/group/e4gr) provide a clearinghouse for resources, problem-solving, celebration, creative expression and communication. EGR spreads the Good News about what’s possible when we engage God’s mission of global reconciliation – then makes the handshakes happen so the mission happens at its best, most creative and most joyful.
Lift up the opportunity and need for confession, repentance and amendment of life. Let Christ change us so we can be part of God’s mission of global reconciliation – individually and corporately.
How is EGR related to ERD, ONE Episcopalian and the National Church Center?
EGR is an independent nonprofit. We work within the Episcopal Church but have no official relationship with national church structures and get no money from them. We enthusiastically promote the wonderful MDG ministry sponsored by Episcopal Relief and Development, the ONE Episcopalian Campaign and other offices of Church Center. For more details, see this joint statement issued by the three groups in fall, 2006.
Does EGR do projects like building clinics or digging wells?
No. EGR is not a development organization like Episcopal Relief and Development. We don’t build clinics or schools. We don’t collect money for projects. We don’t lobby politicians. EGR doesn’t do these things … we help everyone else dream them, find partners to accomplish them and connect with each other to do them with excellence. We promote and connect people with the excellent work of national bodies like ERD and EPPN & parachurch organizations (Five Talents, Global AIDS Interfaith Alliance); creative endeavors of dioceses, individuals & congregations; and anyone else out there working to heal the world in Christ’s name. We point people to wherever the Spirit is moving ... so everyone can be a part of the moving of the Spirit.
Can I give money to EGR?
YES! We need your donations to keep this movement going. Every dollar given to EGR has a rip pple effect that increases our church’s ministry – which means more resources going to those who need them most! Give online by clicking here. or make checks out to EGR and send them to EGR, 6209 Pershing Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63130. God keeps us going through your generosity!
EGR’s core values (or Seven Habits of a Highly Innovative Movement!)
1. You Can’t Say, “You Can’t Play.” – What’s right in the schoolyard is right the Body of Christ. EGR is a movement without gatekeepers. You feel a call to serve, you get to serve. We work with anyone – ANYONE – who feels called to heed Christ’s call, regardless of political or theological views – or anything else. We hold each other to the commitments we make and to standards of honesty and Christian love and charity. But this mission is like Christ’s table – open to all.
2. There’s no such thing as a dumb idea – OK, that’s not true. Of course there are dumb ideas (see www.darwinawards.com), but fear of having a dumb idea shuts down our most creative thoughts. God’s mission of global reconciliation is not going to be achieved through “business as usual” – so get creative, toss around those ideas, you never know what will come of them!
3. If you’re not having fun, you’re doing it wrong – The work we are doing brings us in deep relationship with deep brokenness – the poverty of the extreme poor and the poverty in our own lives. There will be difficult and painful moments. But at it’s heart this mission is about joy. It’s about the great gift God gives us to use our lives to be healers and reconcilers in Christ’s name. Not every moment will be a party, but if you’re not getting a palpable sense of joy from this work, stop and check what you’re doing – ‘cause what could be more fun than healing the world?
4. You can’t get in a turf war if you’ve got no turf – Too much of our time in ministry is often spent bickering over who gets credit and worrying about stepping on other people’s toes. EGR’s official policy is – WE DON’T CARE ABOUT CREDIT! Everything we do, everything we create, everything we’ve been given, this mission we’re called into – it’s all God’s anyway!
5. “Connect and Collaborate” not “Command and Control” - Who has time to micromanage? Certainly not Jesus – he just sent his disciples to go out and spread the Gospel (the ultimate grassroots movement). This is a movement of the Holy Spirit. Be as creative as you like – you don’t need to ask our permission!
6. Sharing goes two ways – We strive to keep our information portals (website, blog, listservs, etc.) loaded with the best information, resources and stories. We hope they’re places you go often to find what you’re looking for – and let us know when you can’t. But the only way great stuff can get up there is if people like you give it to us. Sharing goes both ways. Whether it’s a creative idea or resource or even a tweaking of something that’s already up there – share it with us so we can share it with the church.
7. There is NO substitute for prayer – Prayer isn’t a last resort, it’s what undergirds everything we do. This movement is a history of prayers being answered (usually in the last ways people expect). If there’s a prayer that guides this movement and all the work of EGR, it would probably be: “God, use me.” God usually takes care of the rest!
