On the Millennium Development Goals
The Millennium Development Goals were established by United Nations as benchmarks for reducing human suffering. The Episcopal Church has made the MDGs the centerpiece of mission during the tenure of Katherine Jefferts-Schori.
It doesn't cost that much.
According to Jeffrey Sachs, a redistribution of less than $200 a year can greatly reduce human suffering.
The set aside is less than 1% of our income - .7%, in fact, can go to the developing world. At St. Barts, if we donated $700 a year, we would be doing our fair share. That would be about $7 per person. A year. As a member of St. Barts.
It is an opportunity for the Episcopal Church to distinguish itself.
The Episcopal Church, I believe, should to focus on missions for educating and helping women. Our churches could be an effective redistribution system through education. Schools for women that teach practical skills could be our niche. It could potentially create a ripple effect throughout the world.
Here is one great site: Girleffect. It highlights this argument.
There are, of course, other goals. Churches could be come distribution networks for cellphones, mosquito nets and cheap water filtration cloths. Each one of these are cheap, and change lives.
This page will be continually updated.