"The MDGs at EYE" - by the Rev. Dahn Dean Gandell

From July 8-13, more than 1,200 9th-12th graders, bishops, church leaders, and adult sponsors gathered at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas. In addition to being from all over the United States, there were also youth from the Convocation of Anglican Churches in Europe, the Episcopal Church in Micronesia, and the Dominican Republic. All 9 provinces of the Episcopal Church were represented. The theme for the event, “Sown in the Heart of Christ” was carried throughout each day. The first day focused on the path, the second day focused on rocky ground, the third day focused on thorns, and the last day focused on good soil.

On Thursday, a series of forums were held, all having to do with the MDGs and they were amazing. It was great hearing the witness of the kids: almost all of them already knew about the MDGs and were actively involved in ministries that were supporting the MDGs. A number of them had also traveled to the Gulf Coast to help with post-Katrina recovery.

I attended a Millennium Development Goals activity led by the Rev. Wes Wubbenhorst, the diocesan youth missioner from the Diocese of Maryland. Wes was a Peace Corps volunteer in Honduras. Wes divided us into four “countries” and each country had one major food resource. We were each given an initial amount of money and with that money we had to purchase schools, health care centers, and wells. We could purchase them from private industry or the government. Or, if we had a church in our country, the church would help us with schools, health care centers, and wells. We had to work together to trade our food resources and loan each other money when needed. One of the things I realized from participating in the activity is that when there is abundance, people are generous. When people start to think that there is scarcity, they begin to hoard their resources and are less able to think creatively. Even though we were participating in a “game” the stress-level was high! And realizing that our game is other peoples’ reality made it that much more intense.

I thank God that I was able to attend EYE and see how God is present and active through every generation in the church. I look forward to seeing where we are with the MDGs in 2011 when EYE takes place again.
The Rev. Dahn Dean Gandell is the rector of St. John's Episcopal Church in Honeoye Falls, NY, MDG coordinator for Diocese of Rochester.

Meet the Greens!

THE GREENS is a brand new Web site from WGBH in Boston -- you know that station that has its call letters sandwiched around PBS shows like Frontline, NOVA, Masterpiece Theatre and Antiques Roadshow, Zoom and Arthur.

The Greens is an online project that may yet become a TV show -- an animated family (The Greens) who aim to get kids thinking about the world, environmental stewardship and what one can do about it.

"Through the animated episodic adventures, a blog, kids' mail, and regular updates, we will explore green living - sustainability, ecology, environmental care and social equity. We will nudge kids to research, to challenge, to discover, and to take action whereever and whenever they can."

And they even have buddy icons you can download.