International Missions
Q: Why an International Mission?
A: Trinity Church strongly supported International Outreach during the 1980s and 1990s. Father Paul is challenging Trinity to live out its baptismal covenant internationally and locally. Parishioners have renewed their desire to reestablish outreach ministries beyond Trinity.
Q: Where should we focus?
A: The developing world faces enormous challenges addressing poverty and social injustice. Father Paul’s vision is to make contributions in sub-Sahara Africa and in Central America, specifically El Salvador.
Q: What are the needs and how do we choose?
A: The resolution passed by the Episcopal Church in 2000 urges all Episcopal dioceses to support the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The MDGs are:
- Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger;
- Achieve universal primary education;
- Promote gender equality and empower women;
- Reduce child mortality;
- Improve Maternal health;
- Combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria and other diseases;
- Ensure environmental sustainability; and
- Develop a Global Partnership for Development.
Based upon a parish survey completed by the Profile Committee of 2008 and the Forum of October 17, 2010, hunger ranks at the top of needs to be supported. We strongly recommend a focused commitment of three years with a goal of producing achievable, sustainable results.
Projects have been presented to the Outreach Committee to support the basic needs of citizens in such countries as the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, and Uganda.
Q: How would Trinity engage effectively and efficiently in a foreign country?
A: Trinity would not go it alone. The Task Force would identify partners with on-the-ground experience and knowledge of the cultures we agree to engage. Potential partners include in-country leaders of churches or schools; established organizations such as Episcopal Relief & Development; the Anglican Church; UN World Food Program; and Global Aids Interfaith Alliance (GAIA). In all cases the Task Force would exercise due diligence for transparency and accountability.
Q: What are the next steps?
A1: International Mission – Central & South America: Father Paul and Trinity Outreach are coordinating a mission trip to El Salvador. An informational session regarding the mission trip, slated for June 2011, will be held on January 16, 2011. If you are interested in financially supporting this mission trip and/or, if you would like to go, contact Diane Paulsell.
A2: International Mission – Africa: A Task Force with appropriate expertise is being formed to develop a 3-year strategy for International Mission – Africa.
The Task Force will define the need (s), the country (s), the partner(s), and the project (s). It will develop a plan of action for international mission based upon principles of Christian faith. The Task Force will take into account Trinity’s particular strengths and interests reflected in the parish surveys by the Profile Committee of 2008 and the Forum of October 17, 2010.
The 3-year strategy will include ways to engage the parish for resources such as prayer, funding, dialogue and relationship to meet the International Mission – Africa goals.
The Task Force will work with Trinity Outreach to prepare and document the 3-year strategy by March 1, 2011.
If you would like to contribute intellectual equity to the strategy, please email Ruth Thurmond Scott.