Episcopalians for Global Reconciliation met in December at the Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge to plan increased aid from Episcopalians to reduce human suffering. The group decided to focus on  two 2003 General Convention resolutions calling for all dioceses and congregations to contribute 0.7% of their income to help achieve the Millennium Development Goals. In September, 2000, the United Nations, non governmental organizations, the World Bank and member states pledged to accomplish these eight goals to reduce human suffering around the globe, in both developed and developing countries by 2015.

A key 2005 event will be a week long visit by Archbishop Ndungane of South Africa in March when he will visits St. Louis, Washington, Atlanta and Birmingham to develop additional support for the initiative which would raise $314 million if all Episcopalians committed. Archbishop Ndungane was one of the key speakers at the 2003 General Convention calling for the adoption of the resolutions. The website for the organization is www.episcopalglobalreconciliation.org contains details of the initiative. The email address is info@episcopalglobalreconciliation.org.
Printed materials are also available for use in congregations and at diocesan conventions.

 Already more than 30 dioceses have pledged the 0.7%. and EGR is developing a relationship with the Micah Challenge which is planning a major function with similar goals this fall in New York City. A template has been created for any diocese or province developing an event to increase awareness of these initiatives.

Among the delegates to the Cambridge meeting were representatives from the Every Voice Network, 5 Talents, Episcopal Relief and Development, FreshMinistries and the Massachusetts Jubilee Committee. Key leaders of EGR have include Rev. Dr. Ian Douglas, Dr. Richard Park, Bp. Jeffrey Rowthorn and Bp. Arthur Walmsley.