Global Outreach
The American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem
In times of crisis, Mr. Rogers used to say, look for the helpers! The American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem (AFEDJ) works to support the mission and ministries of the churches, schools, and hospitals throughout the Diocese of Jerusalem and the Middle East, with particular emphasis on transforming the lives of the vulnerable and displaced. If you are looking for ways that you can help with the current crisis in the Holy Land, go to www.afedj.org and donate to their Gaza Emergency Relief fund. Continue to pray for our sisters and brothers in the Holy Land!
El Salvador
El Salvador Companion Diocese Committee
The joy of being part of the Companion Diocese ministry is almost impossible to describe. The more we learn about our sisters and brothers in El Salvador the more we learn about love and hope. The more we seek to give the more we receive.A team of almost thirty medical, dental, and mental health professionals and support people have traveled there each year and treated treated intestinal parasites, counseled in abusive situations, extracted teeth and gave dozens of other treatments.Nine others – two clergy, one youth and six other adults – participated in a pilgrimage in February. The day of Vacation Bible School for forty children in the poorest parish in the country was magic. No one returns from these pilgrimages unchanged – many are compelled to go back or to compel others.Several parishes are part of a scholarship ministry, providing small grants so children can finish school and even college. Six hundred dollars a year or less enables a youth to pull themselves out of the grinding poverty that sentences most to lives of minimum wage – less than one dollar an hour.No one is too poor to give, and no one is too rich to receive.
Ash Wednesday in Japan
John Buterbaugh recently went on a whirlwind trip to Asia where he visited 7 countries in one month. The video is of the Ash Wednesday services at St. Mark’s in Ashy, Japan (a suburb of Osaka). John was hosted by Fr. Warren Wilson (Canada) for the week.