PWRDF UPDATE September 2007
Welcome to Update - The Primate's World Relief and Development Fund newsletter and information bulletin for subscribers.
PWRDF is the Anglican Church of Canada's agency for international development, relief, refugees and justice issues. Please contact Yvonne Lane for more information on any of the following items.
1. International Day of Peace
2. Youth Initiative: justgeneration.ca
3. ACT International Response to Peru Earthquake
4. PWRDF Annual Report
5. Partner News - Tanzania
6. Local Heroes
7. Annual Resources 2007/08
8. Christmas Card
9. PWRDF Ethical Fundraising
1. International Day of Peace
On September 21 churches and communities throughout the world are participating in the International Day of Prayer for Peace through prayer, meditation and other forms of spiritual observance. For 2007, the World Council of Churches office for the Decade Overcome Violence (DOV) has made available prayer and liturgical resources developed in the context of this year’s DOV focus on Europe and its theme “Make me an instrument of your peace.”
The International Day of Prayer for Peace was proposed at a 2004 meeting between WCC generalsecretary, Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia and then UN Secretary General Kofi Annan. The WCC’s invitation to pray for peace on 21 September, or the Sunday preceding it, coincides with a United Nations’ initiative “to encourage worldwide, 24-hour spiritual observations for peace and nonviolence on International Day of Peace, 21 September 2007 in every house of worship and place of spiritual practice, by all religious and spiritually based groups and individuals, and by all men, women and children who seek peace in the world.”
For more information visit: overcomingviolence.org/index.php
Visit the UN website for the International Day of Peace Vigil .
2. Youth Initiative: justgeneration.ca
PWRDF would like to congratulate Rob Shearer justgeneration.ca youth initiative staff on his marriage to Meagan Crosby that took place on August 25th at the Church of the Redeemer in Toronto. The wedding ceremony reflected the way in which Rob and Meagan live their lives, emphasizing their commitment to social justice and hospitality. Rob will now be known as Robert Crosby-Shearer.
Read more about Rob’s passion for social justice.
Youth Internship
We said goodbye in August to Eric Traficante from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, who worked as the justgeneration.ca youth intern over the summer. Eric has gone back to his studies at the University of Guelph. In his time at PWRDF Eric along with Rob produced Side-by-Side: “Off-the-Grid” a new 24-hour action event that engages youth and young adults around issues of energy consumption and global justice. He was initiated into the work of PWRDF in May by traveling to Vancouver and Victoria to attend the Environment Justice Camp, speaking engagements and a meeting of the PWRDF Youth Council. He played important roles in all of these. He has been a joy to work with – we shall all miss him! Thank you Eric.
3. ACT International Response to Peru Earthquake
Following the 8.0 magnitude earthquake that struck off the coast of Peru near Pisco in mid August, ACT International responded through its Rapid Response Fund to provide immediate relief to the affected people in the remote and inaccessible rural areas of Peru. ACT members who are based in Peru administer the money.
As with all emergencies, PWRDF continues to monitor the situation and will receive updates from ACT International. To date, PWRDF has contributed $10,000 to the appeal.
For a full update on PWRDF emergency response, please visit Current Emergencies.
4. PWRDF Annual Report
PWRDF Financial Statements are included in the current Anglican Journal, page 8. A complete version of our Annual Report for 2006/07 will be available by mail and on our website, by mid October.
5. Partner News – Tanzania
Zaida Bastos, Africa Coordinator, and Glen Spurrell, Africa Program Officer, visited Tanzania in July for important planning meetings with the development staff at the Anglican Diocese of Masasi and with CIDA staff at their offices in Dar es Salaam.
Masasi is the most southerly diocese in Tanzania sharing a border with Mozambique. Their integrated development program works with community members throughout the diocese on water, agriculture, mother and child health, solar cooking and HIV and AIDS. With the support of PWRDF, great results are being achieved.
The development officer for the diocese is Geoffrey Patrick Monjesa, an energetic and knowledgeable man. Shortly after Zaida and Glen’s return, a sad message told of the death of his grandmother who had taken a leading role in raising him. Despite efforts to ensure that he took adequate time to rest and grieve, a message was received on August 31 containing this typical example of Geoffrey’s dedication: “I had to come back to the office to organize training workshops for 350 farmers who are involved in dairy cow and goat, chicken, and beekeeping projects. There was a total of 6 workshops and, each one, was conducted for 6 days from Mondays to Saturdays. I have been very busy for almost the whole time of this August.” As Glen says, this is but one example of the dedication we see time and time again by partners in their work with and for their communities.
6. Local Heroes
This month we are celebrating:
Emmanuel Church in Halifax, NS who held an annual “Have a Heart” Sunday in support of PWRDF’s HIV and AIDS initiative Partnership for Life. The parish provided small heart boxes for Lenten observance. The congregation members place a quarter a day into the boxes for the forty days and return the boxes on Easter Sunday.
St. George’s, Ayer’s Cliff, Quebec, Anglican Church Women – who regularly support PWRDF’s HIV and AIDS initiative, Partnership for Life through different fundraising activities.
7. Annual Resources
This is a reminder to watch for the 2007/08 annual resources that will be mailed out to all parishes at the end of September. This year you will receive a poster, placemats, bulletin covers, envelopes, calendars (for children & families), can labels and a worship resource, as well as a how-to-use sheet. The theme is Enough for All – Care for Creation. Please watch for their arrival in early October. Images of the new resources are available on our website, www.pwrdf.org. Included in this package will be Canadian Foodgrains Bank resources, information about the new KAIROS campaign Re-Energize: Time For a Carbon Sabbath and a Christmas card poster.
8. Christmas Card
PWRDF’s 2007 Christmas card, “Joyous Motherhood” from a painting by First Nations artist Cecil Youngfox will be available in early October. Christmas card information will be available shortly at www.pwrdf.org and the Christmas card poster will be included in the annual resources mailing. Christmas gift inserts accompany the cards to let family and friends know that a donation has been sent to PWRDF in their name. We encourage all to take advantage of this Christmas gift alternative.
Please contact Ricky de Castro at rdecastro[at]pwrdf.org if you wish to place your order early.
9. PWRDF Ethical Fundraising
Did you know that PWRDF by virtue of membership has adopted and abides by the fundraising practices and principles of the Canadian Council for International Co-operation (CCIC), Code of Ethics and the Canadian Centre for Philanthropy (CCP) Ethical Fundraising and Financial Accountability Code. The PWRDF Privacy Policy, approved by the PWRDF Board in 2004, supports these codes.
The two codes clearly articulate the open, honest and transparent process used by PWRDF in its raising, investment and disbursal of funds.
Before holding a fundraising event on behalf of PWRDF, please read the PWRDF Fundraising Practices to familiarize yourself with it.
