Trustees gift $20,000 to Diocese of Jerusalem

Annual Convention Resolution 239-01

“For the peace of the world, for the welfare of the holy Church of God,

and for the unity of all peoples, let us pray to the Lord.”

Amidst the safety and security we enjoyed at our 239th Annual Convention held in November 2023, we were starkly reminded of the reality of the disaster raging in the Middle East by a resolution submitted by the Rev. Canon Lloyd Casson and the Very Rev. William Lane, offering our solidarity with the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem. The Diocese of Jerusalem, including the areas of Gaza and the West Bank, is home to 7,000 worshiping Anglicans in 28 congregations and operates over 30 institutions including schools and hospitals that provide services to the diverse population of the land. 

Resolution 239-01 promised the Episcopal Church in Delaware’s support, prayers, and companionship for the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem. The resolution, passed unanimously by the convention, also requested a “generous donation” to support the mission and ministry in the Diocese of Jerusalem during this tragic time.

Entrusted by the convention to arrive at an appropriate donation amount to send, the issue was taken up at the December meeting of the Trustees. The Trustees gladly agreed to send $20,000 to the Diocese of Jerusalem via Archbishop Hosam. The gift was sent, without restrictions, on behalf of the Trustees, Council, and every Episcopalian in Delaware.

As fiscal agents for the Episcopal Church in Delaware, the Trustees were happy to fulfill the responsibility charged at the convention to make a generous donation, hopeful that our gift will in some way help alleviate the suffering in the area. 

“Lord have mercy.”

— Rick Harra, Trustees vice-president

Churches honor the life of

The Rev. Absalom Jones

St. Martha's Church in Bethany Beach commemorated the dedication of their Justice Quilt square, coinciding with a celebration of the life and ministry of Absalom Jones. The framed square was placed at the rear of the church during the solemn prayers of dedication.

During their Sunday service on February 11, St. Barnabas' Church in Wilmington, in collaboration with their Becoming Beloved Community committee and the diocesan Racial Justice and Reconciliation Commission, paid tribute to the life of the Rev. Absalom Jones.

Poor People's

Campaign

March 2

On Saturday, March 2, thousands of people will gather at more than 30 statehouses across the country to demand changes in how our governments address the systemic injustices that have led to more than 140 million of our siblings in Christ living in poverty. We demand living wages for all, healthcare, access to affordable housing, equal access to the right to vote, equitable access to public education, and justice for our shared environment. Poverty is the 4th leading cause of death in the United States with long-term poverty leading to 295,000 deaths per year and over 800 per day.

Due to policy choices of our elected leaders, our siblings in Christ continue to die, and we will collectively gather to demand change.

In Delaware, The Rev. Deacon Cecily Sawyer Harmon, Racial Justice and Reconciliation missioner, and the Rev. Patrick Burke, rector at The Episcopal Church of Sts. Andrew and Matthew (SsAM), are members of the planning committee for the campaign. They invite you to join people from all over Delaware to rally on Saturday, March 2nd at 12 p.m. in Dover at the Green, west of Legislative Hall. Burke says, "This is a moment for us to be bold witnesses for the Gospel and to be repairers of the breach that exists in our world."

If you need transportation assistance to get to Dover, there will be a bus leaving from SsAM at 9:30 a.m.

Please rsvp for the event here: bit.ly/March2MassAssemblyDover

This event is supported by the Episcopal Church in Delaware,

along with the Racial Justice and Reconciliation Commission.

Issue: February 28, 2024