frames postcards index

An Everflowing Stream

Amos 5:24

Robert MacAfee Brown said, "(Religion) provides a norm, a standard by which we are rendered dissatisfied with the way things are... as a way of liberating us for change." Karen Armstrong said, spiritual "experience must be incarnated in our behavior toward others... The test of true spirituality is practical compassion." May God ever render us dissatisfied, liberate us from complacency, and empower us to be agents of compassionate change in Nevada and throughout the world. Bishop Dan Edwards

Resolution: GC �03 Encourage Endorsement of United Natios� Millennium Development Goals...

Great Coffee and Matthew 25:40

One day, Jesus was teaching in parables, as he so often did. He described a scene in which the Son of Man is identifying those who have followed his commandments. The King invited those people into the kingdom, citing all the times they had fed him, gave him water and shelter, clothed him, healed him, and visited him in prison. His listeners were puzzled, not remembering having done these things, but the King said, �Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.�

What does this teaching have to do with great coffee? A lot, as it turns out. All over the world, Jesus� brothers and sisters are suffering from preventable diseases and seemingly-hopeless economic conditions. But Jesus� brothers and sisters (our brothers and sisters) are not alone. Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) is there with them, with long-term development programs that save lives, transform communities, and offer lasting solutions to poverty, hunger and disease. ERD is funded through the direct contributions we make, of course, but much of its funding comes also through the sale of Bishops Blend coffee, all organic, shade grown, slow-roasted, and great tasting. The coffees (and teas) are also Fair Trade certified, so we can be sure that the farmers who grow and process the beans receive a fair price.

Better yet, the distributor�s profits go directly back to those coffee-growing communities in the form of health, education, and land reclamation initiatives, programs done in partnership with the very people who need the help. And it gets even better. ERD, in partnership with the distributor, sends all of its own profits to other communities worldwide. There, in over 40 countries, Jesus� brothers and sisters are fed, sheltered, and healed. In Afghanistan, ERD is helping to educate young women so they can feed themselves and their families. In Bangladesh, ERD is creating clinics and hospitals and building sanitation facilities. In the Sudan, ERD is offering education, training, and farming support. In Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza, ERD is meeting urgent health care needs where no other medical care exists. In Ghana, ERD is creating women�s farming cooperatives that eliminate hunger and free children to go to school. All over Africa, ERD is on the ground, preventing thousands of deaths from malaria. In Nicaragua, ERD is building sanitation facilities so children can go to school instead of dying from diarrhea. It�s as if you and are were there, doing what Jesus commanded us to do. All this and a great cup of coffee too.

We can all help in three easy ways. First, we can order Bishops Blend coffees and teas to use in our own homes. It�s so easy. Just go to www.er-d.org and click on the Online Store. The prices are the same as prices for other good coffees, and if you order three packages or more, shipping is free. In fact, you can sign up for the Constant Cup Program, so you�ll never have to remember to place an order again. Second, we can use Bishops Blend coffee in our parishes. That�s especially easy. Just call 206-328-9606 for customized service on bulk orders. Third and maybe best of all, we can sell Bishops Blend coffees and teas as a fund-raiser. The parish can make $2 - $5 per bag, and ERD�s share still goes to support its worldwide work. It�s a win/win situation. Just call 877-469-1431 to talk to the fund-raising representative. Together we can do great things!

Great Coffee and Matthew 25:40

(This article was written by Linda H. Edwards, Professor of Law and wife of Bishop Dan Edwards, Diocese of Nevada)

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Resolution: GC �03 Encourage Endorsement of United Natios� Millennium Development Goals...

Great Coffee and Matthew 25:40

One day, Jesus was teaching in parables, as he so often did. He described a scene in which the Son of Man is identifying those who have followed his commandments. The King invited those people into the kingdom, citing all the times they had fed him, gave him water and shelter, clothed him, healed him, and visited him in prison. His listeners were puzzled, not remembering having done these things, but the King said, �Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.�

What does this teaching have to do with great coffee? A lot, as it turns out. All over the world, Jesus� brothers and sisters are suffering from preventable diseases and seemingly-hopeless economic conditions. But Jesus� brothers and sisters (our brothers and sisters) are not alone. Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) is there with them, with long-term development programs that save lives, transform communities, and offer lasting solutions to poverty, hunger and disease. ERD is funded through the direct contributions we make, of course, but much of its funding comes also through the sale of Bishops Blend coffee, all organic, shade grown, slow-roasted, and great tasting. The coffees (and teas) are also Fair Trade certified, so we can be sure that the farmers who grow and process the beans receive a fair price.

Better yet, the distributor�s profits go directly back to those coffee-growing communities in the form of health, education, and land reclamation initiatives, programs done in partnership with the very people who need the help. And it gets even better. ERD, in partnership with the distributor, sends all of its own profits to other communities worldwide. There, in over 40 countries, Jesus� brothers and sisters are fed, sheltered, and healed. In Afghanistan, ERD is helping to educate young women so they can feed themselves and their families. In Bangladesh, ERD is creating clinics and hospitals and building sanitation facilities. In the Sudan, ERD is offering education, training, and farming support. In Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza, ERD is meeting urgent health care needs where no other medical care exists. In Ghana, ERD is creating women�s farming cooperatives that eliminate hunger and free children to go to school. All over Africa, ERD is on the ground, preventing thousands of deaths from malaria. In Nicaragua, ERD is building sanitation facilities so children can go to school instead of dying from diarrhea. It�s as if you and are were there, doing what Jesus commanded us to do. All this and a great cup of coffee too.

We can all help in three easy ways. First, we can order Bishops Blend coffees and teas to use in our own homes. It�s so easy. Just go to www.er-d.org and click on the Online Store. The prices are the same as prices for other good coffees, and if you order three packages or more, shipping is free. In fact, you can sign up for the Constant Cup Program, so you�ll never have to remember to place an order again. Second, we can use Bishops Blend coffee in our parishes. That�s especially easy. Just call 206-328-9606 for customized service on bulk orders. Third and maybe best of all, we can sell Bishops Blend coffees and teas as a fund-raiser. The parish can make $2 - $5 per bag, and ERD�s share still goes to support its worldwide work. It�s a win/win situation. Just call 877-469-1431 to talk to the fund-raising representative. Together we can do great things!

Great Coffee and Matthew 25:40

(This article was written by Linda H. Edwards, Professor of Law and wife of Bishop Dan Edwards, Diocese of Nevada)