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Daybook -- Today is Friday, July 28, 2006.
* Today in Scripture: Daily Office meditation http://eds.libsyn.com * Today in Prayer: Anglican Cycle of Prayer http://www.anglicancommunion.org/acp/index.cfm * Today in History: On this day in 1789, Bishop William White became the first Presiding Bishop. http://www.episcopalchurch.org/1275_10467_ENG_HTM.htm
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Gaza Palestinians need relief from continuing humanitarian crisis
Presiding Bishop reiterates call for 'sustained intervention'
[ENS] -- Commenting on the unfolding developments in the Middle East, Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold said today: "While much of the world's focus is understandably on the disaster in Lebanon, we cannot forget the continuing humanitarian crisis for Palestinians in Gaza."
"Reports from the Anglican Hospital in Gaza, Ahli Arab, are devastating," Griswold said.
In a letter of thanks to Episcopal Relief and Development for its contribution of $25,000, hospital director Suhaila Tarai wrote: "Since yesterday Israel military tanks and warplanes are sowing destruction to Palestinians homes, lands, infrastructures, roads, water supplies and electricity, innocents, children, women and sick persons are targeted.
"In al Sha'af -Toffah area alone (which is eight kilometers from Ahli Hospital) 25 Palestinians were yesterday killed with shills fired from tanks, among them were a pregnant mother and her two baby girls, 300 were also injured; moreover, tens of families are still captured and unable to leave their homes there.
"They are suffering from short of water, electricity and food despite of their S.O.S callings, yet the International Red Cross is unable to reach them. Gaza is in distress, humiliation and death."
Full story: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/3577_76950_ENG_HTM.htm
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Episcopal Relief and Development responds to people in the Middle East
[Source: ERD] The growing violence in Gaza City has now spread into Lebanon, causing more than 430 fatalities in the region. At least 400,000 people evacuated their homes and sought shelter in various schools around the region. There is no electricity in the area, making it near impossible for people to attain food and clean water. Numerous security checkpoints are also making it difficult for people to get to the necessary medical facility to receive care. With danger of military attacks imminent on every corner, reaching life-saving supplies has become a matter of life and death for the people in Lebanon.
Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) is working with its partner, Action by Churches Together (ACT) to secure emergency supplies to the most affected people in Saida, Mount Lebanon, Tripoli, Beirut, and Beqaa. Through implementing partners, Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) and the Inter Church Network for Development and Relief in Lebanon (ICNDR), ERD is providing food, medicine as well as cleaning and hygiene supplies to over 12,000 people. The number of people needing assistance is expected to increase as the fighting continues.
"The 'situation,' as it is called here, continues to deteriorate," said Michael Tedrick, an Episcopal missionary stationed in Jerusalem. "Estimates of a half million or more refugees from Lebanon will put more strain on an already inadequate humanitarian aid response in the region.It is this human suffering-Christ's suffering-that deepens my commitment to be here."
Full story: http://www.er-d.org/newsroom_76926_ENG_HTM.htm
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Catalyst: "The Elephant in the Boardroom: Speaking the Unspoken about Pastoral Transitions" from Jossey-Bass, by Carolyn Weese and J. Russell Crabtree, paperback, $23.95
[Source: Jossey-Bass] - "Carolyn Weese and J. Russell Crabtree-experts in the field of church leadership-have written a nuts-and-bolts guide to developing a succession plan for smoothing pastoral transitions. Filled with strategies and solid advice, this handy resource is based in solid research and the authors' many years of experience working with churches in a wide variety of denominations. Weese and Crabtree clearly show that leadership succession should be part of every church's planning process."
To order: Episcopal Books and Resources, online at http://www.episcopalbookstore.org, or call 800.903.5544.
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