EPISCOPAL PEACE FELLOWSHIP
Christ the King participates in the Hudson Valley chapter of the Episcopal Peace Fellowship (EPF). EPF connects people seeking a Christian response to violence, and offers opportunities for study, prayer and action for peace and justice. In recent years, the Hudson Valley chapter has organized a trip to Washington, DC to protest the war in Iraq, and has sponsored educational programs on the use of torture by the US government, and responses to deepening poverty in the current economic crisis.
EPISCOPAL RELIEF & DEVELOPMENT
This is the development and disaster relief arm of the Episcopal Church. Christ the King supports this organization by taking up collections to support humanitarian relief, most recently for those injured in the Myanmar government’s reprisal against its citizens. For more information on the work of Episcopal Relief and Development, go to www.er-d.org
RURAL & MIGRANT MINISTRY
Rural & Migrant Ministry is an interfaith organization that advocates for farm workers. CTK parishioners participate in Farmworker Advocacy Days in Albany, prepare welcome dinners and hygiene kits for local workers and the church hosts an annual week long summer camp for children from the community and area farms. For more information on Rural & Migrant Ministry, please see www.ruralmigrantministry.org.
ILLINGE ISIBINDI CHILDREN'S PROJECT
This project in Illinge, South Africa provides support to children and families rendered vulnerable as a result of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Among other services, the project includes an after school program that provides nutrition, homework assistance, emotional support and transportation to enable the children to succeed in school. Holy Cross Monastery in West Park, NY helps sponsor this project, through their house in Mariya uMama weTemba. Holy Cross has also created a scholarship program to pay for children’s school fees. Each year, Christ the King raises funds for school fees, uniforms, the after school program and other necessities for these vulnerable children. A new playground was completed early this year. Click here to see photos.
HEIFER INTERNATIONAL
Christ the King’s Lent project for 2009 was to collect funds for Heifer International, a non-profit organization that purchases farm animals for families in developing nations. The animals enable poor families to earn cash by selling animal products such as eggs, honey, milk etc. Heifer International receives high ratings as a non-profit, from Forbes and others. In 2007, Christ the King raised over $5000, which was enough to purchase an “ark” of animals. For more information on Heifer, check out their website: www.heifer.org.
INTEGRITY
Christ the King is a proud partner of Integrity, the national Episcopal group that advocates for full inclusion of our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters into the life and sacraments of the church. For more information about the work of Integrity, check out their website at www.integrityusa.org.
TOLLBELLS
Christ the King participates in “For Whom the Bells Toll", a national initiative to end the death penalty. Churches are asked to toll their bells whenever someone is being executed. Every Sunday, we pray for those facing execution that week. Their names are also printed in our monthly newsletter. The campaign was organized by Citizens United for the Rehabilitation of Errants, a criminal justice reform organization. The effort will continue until the death penalty is abolished.
| Tollbells for December (executions pending) |
 |
1 |
TX |
Steven Staley - Stayed |
7 |
TN |
Billy Irick |
16 |
OK |
John David Duty |
|
|
