The Good News • December 2007

A Call to Action from the 191st Diocesan Convention

Many of you know that it was my privilege to attend the recent diocesan convention held November 9th and 10th at the Sawmill Creek Resort in Huron, OH. This was my first real exposure to the Diocese of Ohio and I must admit that I came away impressed not only with the Bishop and his staff but with all the other delegates and clergy as well. (Especially our delegation from St. John's.)

Like most conventions there were resolutions and spirited debate about governance and the future of both the diocese and the church as a whole. Scattered among the resolutions there were several reports from the various committees on the work of the past year and the hope for progress in the year to come. I could not help but feel proud of all the great work that is being done.

The highlight of the convention for me, no offense to our own Bishop Hollingsworth, was the address given by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Baji, Bishop of Tanga. He spoke eloquently and powerfully on the struggles and hopes of his diocese in the country of Tanzania on the African continent. As is often the case, I felt a renewed sense of dedication after hearing him speak of the great work being done in God's name in Africa. But when he spoke of an orphanage that was under his care my sense of dedication turned into a call for action for all of us.

The Bishop explained that there are over 150 orphans that were regularly at the orphanage, but they only had the funding to feed, clothe and school about 75 of them per year, and that the others in essence were turned away. You could almost hear an audible gasp in the room. Later that evening at the convention banquet Bishop Hollingsworth committed to Bishop Baji that one way or another we as a diocese would come up with the funds for the other 75 children at the orphanage, and before we had left the resort the next day several delegates had already come forth with donations.

That's where we come in. The Bishop of Tanga explained that the cost to feed clothe and educate the children comes out to about $200 per year. That's right, $200 per year.

That's it. That is our challenge. What can we do to make the greatest impact on the world we live in? My family is not a family of great means. But we have decided that we could not enjoy this season of great giving without giving to those who have so little. We will be donating the $200 to sponsor one child and I challenge you to do the same. If you can't afford that, any amount will go further than you can imagine. And if you can afford more, well you will know what to do. All the money raised by the people of St. John's will be bundled together to be sent to the diocese to be then sent to Tanga, so as I said, every little bit will help.

Thank you and God bless you.

Nate Offerdahl

(Editor's Note: Please memo your checks "Tanga orphans")