St. Martin's Episcopal Church Outreach Blog

World Malaria Day: U.N. Effort

 

UN Global Campaign To Fight Malaria

Appeals For $3.2 Billion

To Reach 'Near-Zero' Malaria Deaths0

 

 

    Although not mentioned directly by the Reverend Lauren Stanley over the past weekend when St. Martins focused on ERD (Episcopal Relief and Development) and Missions, this Wednesday (April 25) is World Malaria Day.  

We did, however talk about the efforts of the Episcopal Church to do its small part in the global attempt to erradicate malaria.    Below is an article today from the Huffington Report about the UN's efforts and very positive information that should make us stand a little taller.   

    Remember, as Reverend Stanley told us, "these are OUR Children".

UNITED NATIONS — The global campaign to fight malaria is appealing for $3.2 billion to try to reach the U.N. goal of "near-zero" deaths from the mosquito-borne disease by 2015.
There has been "great progress" in reducing malaria deaths using bednets, insecticide spray and drugs, said Ray Chambers, the U.N. secretary-general's special envoy for malaria.

He cited a World Health Organization report in December, which used figures from 2010, saying malaria deaths had decreased by over one-third. Since then, he said at a news conference Monday, the world has delivered 160 million additional bednets "so we expect the number of deaths to be much less now."

Chambers said that in the last six years, the campaign to fight malaria has raised over $6 billion.
"Now we have to raise $3.2 billion to get us to the point of having a chance to be at near zero deaths by 2015," he added.

Princess Astrid of Belgium, a special representative for the Roll Back Malaria Partnership, told the press conference ahead of World Malaria Day on Wednesday that 90 percent of malaria cases occur in Africa.

"Every time I meet patients, my main message is malaria is preventable and treatable but prevention and treatment require tremendous efforts and funding," she said.

"These are YOUR Children"

     The Reverend Lauren Stanley, an Episcopal priest from the Diocese of Virginia and representing ERD (Episcopal Relief and Development), spoke Saturday night, April 21, at St. Martin's to a large and enthusiastic group of parishioners at a potluck.    She spoke passionately of her work in Southern Sudan and in Haiti, following the earthquake.    She encouraged us all to be active in mission work -  "these are not just the children of Haiti or Sudan, they are YOUR children".    The Reverend Stanley spoke again at all three services on the following Sunday.

 

    One way we can be involved, Reverend Stanley pointed out,  is by our donations which will go to the purchase of mosquito-netting to protect sleeping children and adults from mosquitos that carry the deadly virus of malaria.   In the tropics where the disease is endemic, children under five are particularly vulnerable and usually die when infected.  Netting used with the young is particularly effective in giving them a headstart and getting them past the vulnerable period of early childhood.    Money for this project has been recently collected at SM and we will continue - so it's not too late to help.  Look at the Outreach section of the kiosk in the narthex, please notice the information about ERD and the NetsforLife® Inspirational Fund. 

 

     Reverend Stanley has a special connection with St. Martins because our own rector, Shirley Smith-Graham, early in her career and training worked in Southern Sudan with her.   We are fortunate to have this opportunity to hear her on in our parish. 

                                              

                                                  Reverend Lauren Stanley

 

 

 

 

 

                         

 

                                        

 

       

 

 

 

    The program closed with Psalm 139:

 

                                Psalm 139

1. O lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.

2. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. 

3. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.

4. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.

 5. Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.

6. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.

7. Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?

 8. If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.

 9. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;

 10. Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.

11. If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.

 12. Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.

 13. For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.

14. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

15. My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.

16. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.

17. How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!

18. If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.

19. Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God: depart from me therefore, ye bloody men.

20. For they speak against thee wickedly, and thine enemies take thy name in vain.

21. Do not I hate them, O LORD, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee?

22. I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies.

23. Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:

24. And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. 

 

    If you have any questions or would like further information, please call Carolyn Ramage at 757-253-2203 or Helen Smith at 757-220-0326.   Many thanks to these two and all of the other people who made this wonderful event occur.   Other sources of information are also posted in this blog.

 

Avalon Volunteers Needed

    
    St. Martin's Outreach Committee has been quietly talking to the staff at the Avalon Program in Williamsburg and pursuing how we as a parish may be more available to help them in a variety of ways.   As we push that definition and its expression, an early call for help is being made from our Committee leaders to the members of St. Martins to rise up for the challenge.  OR Committee members working on this project are Clay Riley, John Schwenkler and Diane Langhorst.

    So what exactly is Avalon?   The Avalon Center is a local facility that provides shelter and support to those experiencing domestic violence and sexual assault in the Greater Williamsburg area.   It is a non-profit agency financially supported by gifts from a variety of sources, including the United Way and local churches, including St. Martins.  It has been in Williamsburg for 32 years now and the need of women and children for their help is not diminishing.   It has an on-site emergency shelter, transition housing and a variety of support services.   

    Six distinct areas have been identified for us to consider:

    -  On-site child care

    -  Mentors to women in transitional housing

    -  Tutors for childre

    -  Transportation

    -  Pastoral counseling

    -  Active parenting classes

    Training is available and if you are interesting in considering some kind of personal involvement in the program, Diane Langhorst (member of Outreach Commission) is a person to contact.   She can be reached  (dmlanghorst@cox.net)  or at her home (757-258-0922) and she can share more.   There is regular training offered by them with a new course starting this week.    Diane will be attending this training, also.    You can get an application in advance from her if you want one. (You may also fill out an application at the orientation or go-on-line to them to get one.)    Come give it a try.   We will learn together. 

    More will be coming on this project and we will keep you informed.

St. Martin's Fish Program Needs Help

 

                                                                        

 

    One community recipient of St. Martin's Outreach Ministries is  the local Fish program.  

    Fish is a branch of our Community Services Coalition.     The coalition is run with generous financial help from the City of Williamsburg, the Counties of James City and York, Colonial Williamsburg and Anheuser-Busch Companies, and more than 500 businesses, churches, service clubs, organizations and individuals.   St. Martins is one of many churches in our area that supports the various programs under the auspices of the coalition.   The Coalition  Center is home to about a dozen agencies which serve individuals, families and groups in all three local communities. It seeks to improve the lives of thousands of clients from toddlers to seniors, from stressed families to the handicapped; activities from United Way's fundraising and Head Start training to checkups, mentoring, physical activity, wellness programs, and family counseling.

    So what does Fish exactly do?    The FISH unit provides emergency help to residents of the Greater Williamsburg Area.  It depends entirely upon a caring community for food, clothing and cash donations.   St. Martins collects food and clothing for FISH to distribute.   On a regular basis, members of St. Martins gather the donations we make and deliver them to the program where it is given out as needed.   Some of us work at the coalition headquarters site.

    St. Martins currently has four individuals who regularly help in the logistical role.   We are, however, in need of two new volunteers to replace/support those already helping.   The current job includes the pick-up and delivery of the goods collected at the church and delivered to the Fish offices.   The  two new  people would assist in the pick-up and delivery of these donations.   With a total of four volunteers, each individual will only have to pick up once per month.

     Where is the Fish center located?

    In November, 1994, the Community Services Coalition purchased, renovated and opened the new Historic Triangle Community Services Center at 312 Waller Mill Road.    It is located in the greater Williamsburg area off of By-Pass Road, just beyond the Kingsgate Green Shopping Center and about two miles from our church. 

    Could you find time in your schedule to help maybe once or twice a month?    Do you know anyone in the church who might?

    If so, Debbie Coleman (dcoleman4962@cox.net) is an OR committee person to contact or just contact the church office.