Diocese of Olympia gives Episcopal Relief & Development more than $750K in 2011
Following is a letter from Chuck Hamilton, diocesan coordinator for Episcopal Relief & Development, thanking members of the Diocese of Olympia for their generous contributions over the past several years.
To the wonderful members of the Diocese of Olympia,
Three things:
1. Thank you
2. Thank you
3. Thank you
First of all, thank you for making our Wine into Water campaign such a great success. Our one-year effort to support the clean water and sanitation efforts of Episcopal Relief & Development exceeded expectations, yielding $122,000 in donations. That’s enough to create water or sanitations systems for 40,000 families in some of the poorest areas of the world. Thousands of lives have been improved, even saved, by your generous support. Thank you!
Secondly, thank you for passing the Episcopal Relief & Development Sunday resolution at Diocesan Convention, which establishes the first Sunday of Lent as the day we honor and show our support for the work of our international aid organization. This year, Episcopal Relief & Development Sunday is Feb. 26, 2012, but your individual parish or mission can choose any Sunday that works into your church calendar. Lent is an excellent time for prayer, study and action in support of the one billion people who struggle to survive on about $1/day. Bulletin inserts and further information will be available at www.er-d.org.
Third (saving the best for last), thank you for ALL of your generous contributions to Episcopal Relief & Development in 2011. Out of 104 dioceses in the Episcopal Church, the Diocese of Olympia ranks third (behind Texas and Los Angeles) with total donations of $774,657! What amazing grace! We are so blessed; thank you for sharing those blessings.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
If you would like more information about Episcopal Relief & Development, would like me to make a presentation or give a sermon, please let me know. Also, if there is someone in your congregation willing to serve as Parish Representative, please put me in touch with them.
Peace be with all of you,
Chuck Hamilton
Episcopal Relief & Development Coordinator, Diocese of Olympia
253.839.5546