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SERVING A Diocese
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DIOCESE OF CALIFORNIA Episcopal Charities works in partnership with the Diocese of California. Through our partnership with the Diocese, Episcopal Charities:
ERD — Episcopal Relief and Development Episcopal Relief and Development is the collective response to help people in need in the United States and around the world. It is how Episcopalians respond to Christ's call to minister to the hungry and thirsty, the sick and those in prison, to clothe the naked and welcome the stranger. Episcopal Relief and Development was established in 1940 as The Presiding Bishop's Fund for World Relief to assist refugees fleeing war in Europe. Its mandate was soon broadened to include response to human need throughout the world. In July 2000, the name was changed to Episcopal Relief and Development. Its mission is to serve Christ in all persons, to love our neighbors and to respect the dignity of every human being. It carries out its mission by raising and disbursing funds for emergency relief after disasters, for continuing rehabilitation after the crisis is over, and for developing and supporting programs that address the root causes of human suffering. Episcopal Relief and Development works wherever people need help in the United States or abroad. Over the past 62 years, Episcopal Relief and Development has helped people in 100 countries on five continents. This includes nearly every diocese in the Episcopal Church and many of the Provinces of the Anglican Communion. More than half of disaster assistance has gone to emergencies in the United States. Individual Episcopalians, local parishes and dioceses, and many Episcopal institutions contribute to Episcopal Relief and Development. A 20-person Board of Directors, made up of lay and clergy members, meets twice a year to approve rehabilitation and development grants. Emergency grants are released immediately by staff in response to requests from Anglican/Episcopal bishops located in affected areas. The Board later reviews these grants. The board of directors is accountable to the General Convention and Executive Council of the Episcopal Church. The cost of administering the program is covered through income from an endowment, the general church budget and unrestricted gifts. An annual report is available upon request. Episcopal Relief and Development receives grant requests from the worldwide Anglican Communion, making it the conduit of the Episcopal Church's response to human need around the world. Whenever possible, Episcopal Relief and Development works with a local Episcopal/Anglican partner. It also collaborates with ecumenical relief and development agencies and local organizations in cases where partnering is more effective and efficient than a smaller, single relief effort. When a disaster strikes, Episcopal Relief and Development sends an emergency grant immediately to the local Episcopal or Anglican authority. This provides tangible aid and encouragement in the darkest hours. The local diocese must endorse a project as both important and noteworthy. Using the existing structure of the church increases efficiency, ensures accountability and enables Episcopalians to respond to local needs effectively. To Make a Tax-Deductible Gift, Send a Check to: For Local Information, Contact: UTO — United Thank Offering UTO is a ministry of the Episcopal Church. Through the UTO, men, women and children nurture the habit of giving daily thanks to God. These prayers of thanksgiving start when we recognize and name our many daily blessings. Those who participate in the United Thank Offering have discovered that thankfulness leads to generosity. A short prayer of thanksgiving leads to an offering in the UTO blue box. All offerings are used to support grants for ministries at home and overseas as an outreach of the Episcopal Church. Prayers and offerings make it possible for the UTO mission to stretch in unexpected ways. The UTO committee makes grant awards in the Spring of each year. Applications that address compelling human need and/or expansion of mission and ministry are welcomed. Each diocese of the Episcopal Church, USA may submit 2 requests each year. Grants that meet criteria are funded in whole or in part as far as the monies will stretch. Not all grants can be funded, as requests often exceed the money available. In 2001 the total number of grants awarded was 138; 105 within the US and 33 outside the US. A total of $3,178,984 was awarded. Each year, 100% of the collected offering is granted. UTO committee expenses are supported entirely through earned income from dedicated trust funds. The National Church supports a staff of two people in the UTO office located in the Episcopal Church Center in New York City. For more information go to the national web site: www.ecusa.anglican.org/uto To order UTO materials, please call Episcopal Parish Services at 1-800-903-5544 or go online at www.episcopalparishservices.org. For Local Information, Contact: |
