From the Rector’s Desk

March 1, 2004

Celebrant:    Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself?

People:        I will, with God's help.  (The Book of Common Prayer, Page 305)

In our baptismal covenant we agree to this challenge to love our neighbor.  The parish of St. John’s is a leader in showing the love of God through Christ in our metro area.  Through our excellent committees and programs we are touching the lives of so many in our local community.   We now have an opportunity to extend our understanding of neighbor beyond the boundaries of White Bear to help women who are struggling for equality on the other side of the globe.

On February 15, the Rt. Rev. Dr. George Sinabulya, retired Bishop of the Diocese of Central Buganda in the Anglican Church in Uganda (Central East Africa), and President of AFINNET (African Friends in Need Network), preached at all services at St. Johns and invited us to join him in supporting his work.

The African Friends in Need Network (AFINNET) is a Christian organization in Uganda that was, in the words of Bishop Sinabulya:

"founded for the purpose of reconciling man to God and to fellow man, sharing God's concern for social justice and for the liberation of the less favored groups of people especially women, youth and children from every kind of oppression."

AFINNET strives to empower individuals within communities and households who can then act as catalysts to fight problems of illiteracy, poverty and diseases.

Its programs include:

• 1. Life-long Learning using the "Open Flexible Learning" approach

• 2. Youth Programs

• 3. Social Outreach Programs

• 4. Women Empowerment Programs

• 5. School & Child Assistance Programs

• 6. Home & School Environment Programs

• 7. Rural Community Health Care

• 8. Heifer Program / Livestock Improvement.

To learn more about this ministry go to http://www.afinnet.net. AFINNET seeks partnership with our parish so that we might offer our talents and resources (be they financial or human). Financial contributions can be made through St. Johns (please pay to the order of St. John’s and designate AFINNET on the memo line).  Yet, how else might we be in relationship with this exciting ministry?  Could our youth write letters to their youth so that we could mutually learn from one another?  Would some of you be interested in taking a short-term missionary trip to Uganda?  What other ways might we live out the gospel on a global scale that extends our arms of love beyond the boundaries of our local needs? 

Let’s make a difference in this world!  Together, through the work of the Spirit, may we always seek new ways to alleviate suffering at home, in the nation, and in our world.

Father Mark

Rt. Rev. Dr. George Sinabulya

Preaching at the 9:00 a.m. Service, February 15