Global Reconciliation Committee

Formed in response to the call of the 2006 General Convention (Resolution D022) for every diocese to "establish a global reconciliation commission or similar body dedicated to mobilizing Episcopalians toward the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals," (MDGs) the Diocese of Vermont Global Reconciliation Committee was officially established by Diocesan Council in December 2006.

The committee will focus on international outreach efforts, particularly those directed to achievement of one or more of the MDGs. Its members will, collectively and individually, provide leadership, resources and encouragement to congregations in their response to The Episcopal Church's call to become active partners in the campaign to "make poverty history."

The committee is charged by Diocesan Council to make recommendations to Council about how the Diocese of Vermont will allocate the budget line item for our commitment to devote 0.7% of net disposable income toward the MDGs. To engage congregations in ways that will increase the impact of this diocesan funding, the committee has developed a matching grants program.

2008 Matching Fund Grants Available
The committee has approved an application form and set a timetable for awarding grants to congregations who wish to support programs aimed at realizing the Millennium Development Goals. A total of $6,000 is available from funds allocated in the 2008 diocesan budget to meet a commitment of giving a percentage of budgeted operating income to international development programs.

A congregation can apply for funds to defray the up-front costs of a fundraising project, or a congregation can apply for matching funds—$1 of diocesan money to match $2 raised by the congregation—for a specific international project or program.

The committee will act as the grant committee, much as the Outreach and Social Justice Committee acts in relation to Initiative IV of the McClure/Discovery 2000 funds. Download an application form, or call (800-286-3437) or email Jackie Connaway at the diocesan office.

Applications are due on March 1, June 1, and September 1. Note that vestry approval is required for an application to be considered, so plan accordingly. For more information, contact Lee Alison Crawford, 802-485-6011.

United Nations Millennium Development Goals
1. Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
2. Achieve universal primary education
3. Promote gender equality and empower women
4. Reduce child mortality
5. Improve maternal health
6. Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases
7. Ensure environmental sustainability
8. Develop global partnerships for development

To learn more, check the following links:
Episcopalians for Global Reconciliation
Episcopal Relief and Development MDG programs
The ONE Episcopalian Campaign
God's Mission and the Millennium Development Goals (or) Why should we as Christians care about the MDG's?
A Paper by Ian T. Douglas prepared for the House of Bishops of the Episcopal Church meeting at Camp Allen, Texas, 17 March, 2007

Vermont-based organizations that work toward the MDGs
Fundación Cristosal (works with the Anglican Episcopal Church in El Salvador)
CHABHA – Children Affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa (works in Rwandia, Namibia and South Africa)
NESEI – New Sudan Education Initiative (effort to build secondary schools in southern Sudan)

National and International organizations, plus additional Vermont-based organizations, that support the MDGs
Click here for a list of some suggested organizations with brief descriptions of their work and links to their Web sites.

Global Reconciliation Committee Members

Please feel free to contact committee members with questions, requests for resources or ideas.

The Rev. Dr. Lee Alison Crawford, Chair
St. Mary's Parish
203 South Main St., Northfield, VT 05663
(H) 802-485-6011 (O) 802-485-8221
Email: lacinvt94@aol.com

Richard E. Bower
130 Harrison Ave., Bennington, VT 05201
(H) 802-447-0119
Email: rebower@comcast.net

Anne Clarke Brown
PO Box 67, Plymouth, VT 05056
(H&O) 802-672-5250
Email: abrown@vermontel.net

Laura Chase (Liason from, and chair of Outreach and Social Justice Committee)
153 Pittsford Commons, Unit D-5, Pittsford, VT 05763
(H) 802-483-2995
Email: LauraChase@aol.com

The Ven. Catherine Cooke
Cathedral Church of St. Paul
2 Cherry St., Burlington, VT 05401
(H) 802-864-4129 (O) 802-864-0471
Email: Cooke@emba.uvm.edu

Margo Fletcher
113 Grandview St., Bennington, VT 05201
(H) 802-447-1260
Email: margflet@aol.com

Mary Gerisch
319 Safford St. Apt #1, Bennington, VT 05201
(H) 802-442-2173
Email: retiredinvermont@hotmail.com

Susanna Grannis
2766 Windham Hill Rd, West Windham, VT 05359
(H) 802-874-4013
josugran@sover.net or info@CHABHA.org

Craig Hammond
(H) 802-254-7060
Email: evch85@sover.net

The Rev. Joel Hill
PO Box 227, Westminster, VT 05158
(H) 733-8479
Email: jhill@jhsph.edu

The Rev. Linda Maloney
St. Matthew's Episcopal Church
PO Box 294, Enosburg Falls, VT 05040
(H) 802-933-6260
Email: lmmaloney@csbsju.edu

The Very Rev. Diane Nancekivell
1008 Hemenway Road
Bridport, VT 05734
(H) 758-2005
Email: dianenan@gmavt.net

Michelle Peattie
442 Overlea Road, N. Bennington, VT 05257
(H) 802-780-9338
Email: peattie@netzero.com

Marcia Stone
1256 Fish Hill Road, Randolph, VT 05060
(H) 802-728-4846
Email: mkstone@together.net
Summer: Box 8, Greensboro, VT 05841
(H) 802-533-2939

The Rev. Sandy Zabriskie
Margy Zabriskie
119 Northshore Dr., Burlington, VT 05401
(H) 802-863-4571
Email: amzab@together.net

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