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Editor's note: This resolution was adopted by the 148th diocesan convention without dissent.

Debatable Resolution in support of the Millennium Development Goals

Proposed by Larry Bingham and Bob Skaggs, St. Michael’s, Mission; and Mike Morrow, St. John’s, Wichita

Whereas , the 98th Lambeth Conference in 1998 and subsequent General Conventions of The Episcopal Church in 2000, 2003 and 2006 have called all the faithful to focus on issues of social justice in order to fulfill the church’s Gospel and Baptismal mission to “reconcile all people to God and each other in Christ;” and

Whereas , in 2000 at the United Nations Millennium Summit all member nations of the United Nations pledged to work toward achieving eight specific goals by the year 2015, which are known as the Millennium Development Goals (“MDGs”); and

Whereas , Resolution D022 adopted by the 75th General Convention of the Episcopal Church meeting in Columbus, Ohio, in 2006 established the MDGs as the primary mission priority for the next triennium and urged that each diocese, congregation and parishioner commit to 0.7 percent giving toward these goals; and

Whereas , the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas desires to join with our brothers and sisters in Christ around the world in this campaign to seek justice through working toward the achievement of the MDGs;  

Resolved , that this the 148th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas petition the Bishop of Kansas to empower the Outreach and Ecumenical Ministries Committee to begin a period of study to determine a method to implement our participation in the following eight Millennium Development Goals:

1) Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger;

2) Achieve universal primary education;

3) Promote gender equality and empower women;

4) Reduce child mortality;

5) Improve maternal health;

6) Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases;

7) Ensure environmental sustainability; and

8) Develop a global partnership for development;

And be it further

Resolved , that the Outreach and Ecumenical Ministries Committee be directed to provide study material for parishes of the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas, so that all our members can examine their own personal giving to these goals, as well as that of their parishes and diocese.

And be it further

Resolved , that this 148th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas direct the Finance Committee, under the authority of the Council of Trustees, to provide 0.35 percent of the diocesan budget, beginning with the passage and implementation of the diocesan mission plan for year 2008, to fund and support these goals; with such diocesan funds to be given through the official agencies of The Episcopal Church, such as Episcopal Relief and Development, the United Thank Offering, the direct missionary efforts of the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas, or such missions and ministries as endorsed by the Outreach and Ecumenical Ministries Committee;

And be it further

Resolved, that the Finance Committee, under the authority of the Council of Trustees, be directed to include an additional 0.35 percent of the diocesan mission plan in year 2009 for a total of 0.7 percent funding for MDGs in 2009 and subsequent years;

And be it further

Resolved , that all congregations and parishioners be urged to consider establishing the MDGs as their own mission priority and to commit to 0.7 percent giving toward the achievement of these goals, in unity with others in The Episcopal Church.