Episcopal Church Foundation Vestry Papers - for leading congregations

Every once in a while, I come across a book that knocks the wind out of me. Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl Wudunn’s Half the Sky is one such book.

On the one hand, Half the Sky is a devastating account of global sex trafficking and forced prostitution, honor killings, and mass rape. On the other hand, it’s about hope: stories of individual women, communities, and organizations who are making a profound difference in the world. (I recommend it highly, though you should prepare to be changed.)

I read this book because an Episcopal congregation recommended it. While attending a Sunday service last summer, I noted that Half the Sky was listed in the parish announcements as the congregation’s book club selection for that month. Little do they know how deeply this book affected me, or that the stories continue to work on me many months later.

Searching for a Roadmap
Many Episcopal congregations are already engaged in global ministries— reading groups, companion diocesan relationships, charitable donations, mission trips, congregational partnerships, advocacy, support of fair trade products, and more. Episcopal communities are making concerted efforts to connect their local ministries to the good of the wider world. But what about congregations who want to take a first step, or re-evaluate what they are already doing?

Last week I spent some time Google searching resources for congregations that want to start a global ministry. Unfortunately, I didn’t come up with much. The three resources that come closest to what I was looking for are the Mission Partnership Resources from the Diocese of Connecticut, this congregational road map from the United Church of Christ, and the Act page on the Episcopal Relief & Development website. All three offer practical steps for congregations to reflect on the ethical complexities of what they are about to engage in, while also providing them with the resources and contact information to push forward and “do something.” Please send me an email or comment below if you know of other resources that should be listed here. I’m sure they are out there, but my Google searches didn’t turn them up!

Whether it's something as simple as a book club list or as involved as a congregational partnership, I'd love to hear your thoughts on the global ministries your congregation is engaged in. What was the seed of this initiative? And do you have any advice for those starting out?