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 We are reminded in this Sunday’s readings in Isaiah 43:17 that the LORD speaks to us of the army and warrior who ‘lie down, (and) cannot rise, they are extinguished, quenched like a wick…’

Such powerful and poignant words in these trying times.

The omnipresent and difficult news in the world today, and especially the senseless violence being unleashed on the people of Ukraine encircles the globe in what feels at times like an impenetrable dark curtain – an iron curtain of a different order. Through what feels like a pandemic of depression, Christians pray for  a cessation of violence, for peace. We are thirsting for spring, for brighter days of hope, and inspiration.

You may recall what follows in the Isaiah reading, where he says, ‘I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, (and he asks) do you not perceive it?’

What I love about PWRDF, is the way in which the programs intermesh with and meet the challenges that we face around the globe. Being of Polish decent and having a father who was deported to Siberia by the Russians at the beginning of WWII, I feel at times as if part of my soul rests with the Ukrainian people. These times have been difficult and I have personally felt worried and heartbroken.  I have been grateful to know that PWRDF has been working diligently, responsibly and transparently with your donor dollars.  Your support and the work of PWRDF, has helped me answer Isaiah’s question, ‘Yes, I can perceive it’.

You don’t need to be a PWRDF Parish Representative to join our meetings each month. We meet on the fourth Tuesday of the month by Zoom at 7:00 pm. Our next hour-long meeting is on April 26 and the Zoom link is: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81438423590?pwd=MGZGbGI4NjlDSzJiYlY2dmxhcTdXUT09.

Our agenda will include:

  • Fundraising for the Reluctant (and exuberant) fundraiser
  • Brainstorming on fundraising ideas, sharing your parishes successes and challenges (how can we support you?)
  • Developing a roving network of volunteers to support smaller parishes with their fundraising efforts
  • Cookbook Fundraiser – help us stuff that cookbook full of lots of yummy Anglican treasures!

I close with Philippians 3:13 ‘Beloved, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but this one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead…’ Join us as we work toward building a more peaceful, loving and compassionate world.