RE:She has a dream!

[Elenie Poulos]

This sounds great Kent.   In the light of the focus on ending poverty I just wanted to draw the list's attention to the Micah Challenge and the Millenium Development Goals.   Micah Challenge is a global ecumenical campaign to support government commitment to the Millennium Development Goals.   The call from the Micah Challenge is this... The Micah Call This is a moment in history of unique potential, when the stated intentions of world leaders echo something of the mind of the Biblical prophets and the teachings of Jesus concerning the poor, and when we have the means to dramatically reduce poverty. We commit ourselves, as followers of Jesus, to work together for the holistic transformation of our communities, to pursue justice, be passionate about kindness and to walk humbly with God. We call on international and national decision-makers of both rich and poor nations, to fulfil their public promise to achieve the Millennium Development Goals and so halve absolute global poverty by 2015. We call on Christians everywhere to be agents of hope for and with the poor, and to work with others to hold our national and global leaders accountable in securing a more just and merciful world. Their website is http://www.micahchallenge.org.au.   Australia, together with all 191 member states of the United Nations, pledged to combat poverty, hunger, disease, illiteracy, environmental degradation and discrimination against women by fulfilling the Millennium Development Goals by 2015. (UnitingJustice and Uniting International Mission have already been lobbying the Federal Government on a number of issues with reference to the Millennium Development Goals. Unfortunately, little action has been taken by Government to meet our obligations.) One of our Election 2004 Issues Papers contains information about the MDGs. The web address for this is: http://nat.uca.org.au/unitingjustice/resources/election2004/enablingdevelopment.doc   The UCA is an active supporter of the Micah Challenge through the National Assembly and some Synods will be looking at it as well as they meet over the next few weeks.   I would encourage all UCA members to get involved in this - Kent maybe you could tie in the Lent Event.   Thanks, Elenie     PS Don't forget our election web is constantly being updated: http://nat.uca.org.au/unitingjustice/resources/election2004/   Rev. Elenie Poulos National Director UnitingJustice Australia Uniting Church in Australia   p 02.8267.4239 e [EMAIL PROTECTED] w http://nat.uca.org.au/unitingjustice/ subscribe to Justice News [EMAIL PROTECTED] to receive information and updates about our work send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with a blank subject line and subscribe justice-news please in the body of the message -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]On Behalf Of The Crawfords Sent: Friday, September 24, 2004 12:49 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; Egroup Subject: She has a dream! Hi folks, I know we each receive ridiculous amounts of email and if you're like me you like to average about 10 to 15 seconds on each, but please consider the following an invitation from West Epping UCA in NSW to join with us in an exciting new venture. But first, the story.... One of our young mum's by the name of Sarah White has experienced a vision for a new initiative called 'Lent Event'.  She experienced the vision after watching an ABC report into child poverty in Africa a couple of months back.  In her vision she feels very strongly that God has called her to initiate Lent Event and we have been working over recent months to gather a committed team around her to make it become a reality. But what is this Lent Event?  Well, put simply, people participate in Lent Event by giving up something they don't need to help those in need, and from the blurb we've developed comes the following... Lent Event Mission <!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> Lent Event is a community movement resolved to live out God's mission to eradicate poverty and bring new life, hope and futures to the world's neediest people. <!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> Lent Event Philosophy <!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> The Lent Event philosophy is to inform, motivate and involve privileged communities in the practice of forgoing something they enjoy during the Lenten period and giving the monetary value to the world's neediest people. <!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> Vision for Growth <!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> It is our prayer that Lent Event will expand continuously as growing numbers of community groups take part in the event. It is set to become a popular global movement that inspires individuals to participate and draws communities together. <!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> Lent Event Values We believe that...... <!--[if !supportLists]-->�        <!--[endif]-->all people are loved by God. <!--[if !supportLists]-->�        <!--[endif]-->God's gifts are to be shared with others. <!--[if !supportLists]-->�        <!--[endif]-->being of service to others is the key to fulfilment. We value...... <!--[if !supportLists]-->�        <!--[endif]-->prayer and spiritual reflection. <!--[if !supportLists]-->�        <!--[endif]-->love and respect as the foundation for relationships. <!--[if !supportLists]-->�        <!--[endif]-->the environment and the long term future of our world. <!--[if !supportLists]-->�        <!--[endif]-->self-determination for local communities. <!--[if !supportLists]-->�        <!--[endif]-->empowerment of individuals and communities. <!--[if !supportLists]-->�        <!--[endif]-->efficiency and reproducibility of operations. <!--[if !supportLists]-->�        <!--[endif]-->accountability and transparent management of funds. <!--[if !supportLists]-->�        <!--[endif]-->integrity in all endeavours. <!--[if !supportLists]-->�        <!--[endif]-->full and honest communication. We support projects that...... <!--[if !supportLists]-->�        <!--[endif]-->support the most needy communities. <!--[if !supportLists]-->�        <!--[endif]-->have the greatest beneficial impact on communities. <!--[if !supportLists]-->�        <!--[endif]-->create long term sustainability for communities. <><!--[if !supportLists]-->                              �        <!--[endif]-->have tangible, achievable outcomes Because Lent Event invites participants to 'do with less' rather than to 'give more', it need not be regarded as an extra financial demand upon people, nor to be in 'competition' with existing projects within your congregation. Gifts will be tax deductible. So, if you've made it this far, firstly, thanks a bundle, and secondly would your community be interested in partnering with us as we launch our first Lent Event experience next easter season (2005)? The projects that will be supported next year will be through Uniting Church Overseas Aid and in 2005, Lent Event will be working through local Church communities to support needy families in three locations: <!--[if !supportLists]-->�        <!--[endif]-->West Timor - a project of 'micro-credit' - small loans for poor people, especially women, giving them opportunity to establish viable, ongoing businesses to support themselves and their children <!--[if !supportLists]-->�        <!--[endif]-->South India - establishing preschools amongst marginalised tribal communities which provide nutritional meals, clothing and health care as well as education for children and their mothers <!--[if !supportLists]-->�        <!--[endif]-->West Papua - mobile health clinics and education programs to address the crisis situation in the transmission of HIV/AIDS with infection rates now the 4th highest in the world <>But wait - there's more! Lent Event is more than just another 'good cause' to support. We believe it can become a powerful tool for forming Christian disciples, for deepening spirituality and for raising awareness as it seeks to integrate our faith with our everyday living. We will supply participating communities with resources for use during the season of Lent including prayers, worship ideas and materials for small groups and Bible study. There will be simple resources to remind participants of what they are doing throughout Lent, and why they are doing it. So, if you're still with me, and you're interested in some more information, please reply to this email or get in touch with us at West Epping Uniting Church on 02) 9868 3574. Thanks for giving me more than 15 seconds of your time - I really appreciate it and welcome any feedback you have on any part of our plans for Lent Event. :-) Kent