Herb Berl
Last night we had the privilege of hearing Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury, speak on global economics and, while he made some interesting points, what I really want to share with you is the experience of hearing another speaker. Sam Gould is a 21 year old Deputy from the Diocese of Massachusetts. This bright youth man spoke with passion and eloquence his experience of encountering poverty first hand while a mission trip to a country in Central America. As I listened to him speak I started smiling because I was witnessing first hand the future leadership of our church taking its rightful place at the table.
This our bishop spoke to the Stewardship Legislative Committee concerning the resolution he introduced which calls for the funding of mission work including the millennium development goals (MDGs) by reducing by one half the amount of money budgeted for committee, commission, agency, and board meetings. His point being that our story to the world is told through our actions to support mission even in lean times rather than trying maintain structure. After much discussion his resolution was passed as presented. It next goes to House of Bishops and then to the House of Deputies. If it passes both houses it will go to the budget committee. He plans to speak at that hearing probably sometime next week.
Peace.