I've learned a lot in the last few months as I've begun to consider the Millennium Development Goals, aka "MDG's".  Much of what I've learned is sad.  I've learned that every 3 seconds in our world, someone dies simply because he or she is too poor to continue living; that every 6 seconds, someone dies from AIDS, malaria, or tuberculosis; and that every 14 seconds in Asia, Latin America, Africa, and the Caribbean, a child is orphaned.  These brutal realities -- along with issues like conflict and war, inequality between men and women, and lack of basic education for millions of children around the world -- comprise the phenomenon known as global poverty.

The good news I've learned is that the solutions for global poverty are truly within the world's reach today.  The goals are realistic, in that they were built on the understanding that the resources, strategies, and knowledge to end this crisis currently exist, if only people will have the strength and determination to act on them and make them happen.

Just as the Episcopal Church has designated the Millennium Development Goals as its #1 priority for this current three years between General Conventions, so we at St. Martin's will focus on them for at least this next year and, very likely, beyond.  Please join the rest of us as we learn about the MDG's, about global poverty and ways to reduce it, and as we decide how we as individuals, families, and a parish will respond.  I am excited to start this new focus and hope you are, too.

Praying for God's blessing on all that we do,
Mary+

The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are eight interrelated targets for the eradication of global poverty. More than 180 Countries, including the United States, have endorsed the MDGs and promised to direct resources toward their fulfillment.

Millennium Development Goals

1. Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger. Episcopalians can imagine and work for change.

2. Achieve universal primary education. Improved education and poverty reduction go hand in hand.

3. Promote gender equality and empower women. Biblical women can be role models for today.

4. Reduce child mortality. Work on all Millennium Development Goals affects children.

5. Improve maternal health. Work in Zambia provides insight into needs, challenges.

6. Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases. Diseases are a root cause of extreme poverty.

7. Ensure environmental sustainability. Our individual and corporate decisions make the differnece.

8. Develop a global partnership for development. Faith communities can provide networks needed for work, evaluation.