Letter from the Missioner for Outreach

n exciting new initiative, established by the Episcopal Diocese of Dallas, is now underway. What began in 1949 as Episcopal Charities is being renewed under a new name … Episcopal Community Service Network.

This effort began when the Executive Council commissioned a committee under Bishop Lambert's oversight. Since April 2008, committee members have come together monthly to plan how the diocese can be a resource for churches so that they can better reach out to their community and serve the needs of others.

Awesome outreach activities are already going on in the diocese — feeding and clothing the homeless, growing food for the community, building and renovating homes for the elderly, tutoring, mentoring, providing ESL classes … I could go on and on! We need to share those experiences, collaborate efforts, and look for ways to develop partnerships in our communities and with other churches and civic and government organizations located in our neighborhoods. What better way to live out the gospel than by joining hands with others to do good deeds in the community.

As Christians (and Episcopalians!), Christ calls us to serve others in His name. Our post-communion prayer certainly reminds us that we are fed at the altar so that we may “go out and serve” others as Christ did. Can you imagine Jesus proclaiming the gospel (good news) without ever displaying acts of mercy and kindness (good deeds)?
                                        
Below is a more detailed overview of Episcopal Community Service Network, the strategic initiatives for the future, as well as a list of the committee members. Please do not hesitate to contact a member of the committee or me if you have questions or if we can be of assistance in any way. I personally plan to visit many churches in the diocese, first, to see the amazing love and good deeds being shared in the community and, second, to offer resources, support, and prayers for new or continued efforts.

I am blessed to have this opportunity to work with the diocese, and I look forward to joining hands with missions and parishes as we work together to transform our communities.

Blessings,

Dabney Dwyer
Missioner for Outreach
Episcopal Community Services Network
214-500-7205
ddwyer54@sbcglobal.net

Click here to see a video about ECSN

Overview of Episcopal Community Service Network

I. Overview

Commissioned by the Executive Council and under the oversight of Bishop-elect Paul E. Lambert, a new committee was appointed with the task of “re-establishing” Episcopal Charities of Dallas (originally established in 1949). Now under a new name, Episcopal Community Service Network (ECSN), the committee has been operational since April 2008.

The new ECSN will be instrumental in supporting the four components of the diocese's strategic plan:

One Church — fostering a sense of unity, collaboration, and partnership among churches within the Diocese;
Mission Oriented — ministry focused on serving those in need as Christ taught us to do.
Developing Leaders — equipping and empowering clergy and lay leaders for ministry in their communities and the world;
Resources — allocating resources in such a way to promote partnerships between churches and community service organizations and to build ministries and programs initiated by church-to -church collaborations.

Currently, ECSN is comprised of clergy and lay leaders from various churches within the diocese. the 2008 October Diocesan Convention drafted a resolution to establish ECSN and approved its theological statement (see Resources and Tools)

ECSN Committee 2008/2009
Bishop Paul E. Lambert
Dabney Dwyer
The Rev. Michael Michie
The Rev. George Monroe
The Rev. Kevin Huddleston
The Rev. Gene P. Baker
Lawrence R. Maxwell, Jr.
Lydia Landrum
Susan Fisk
Deacon Dorothy Budd
Archdeacon Diana Luck
Hon. Douglas Lang

II. Purpose and Strategies

ECSN's purpose is to be a resource to diocesan missions and churches in their outreach efforts to reach and serve those in their communities who are in need. Six key strategies have been developed to guide the future work of ECSN:

A. Education and Training

• Raise consciousness about “God’s heart for the poor,” reinforcing what scripture says about the poor, sick, widowed, orphaned, and imprisoned.
• Educate congregations about the connection between “God’s heart for the poor,” acts by Christ, and the actions we can take to transform our communities and the world.

B. Community Needs Assessment

• Help churches identify and understand community needs (i.e., by zip code).
• Identify resources that will help congregations learn about the demographics and other characteristics of the community.
• Help churches identify needs and potential partners for ministry (see below)

C. Partnerships (in the Community)

• Provide training and practical tools that will help churches in the diocese develop partnerships with agencies and organizations within their zip code and communities.

D. Collaboration

• Develop a process by which churches in the diocese can share their experiences and expertise in carrying out ministry.
• Create a database of current programs and ministries supported by diocesan churches.
• Foster an environment where collaboration among Episcopal churches will promote common ministry and mobilize people for action.

E. Resource Allocation

• Define how best to raise money and allocate resources.
• Consider resource allocation to ministries and programs supported by collaboration among multiple churches.
• Provide resources to churches for education, training, and promoting partnerships within the community and among churches.

F. Evaluation

• Provide churches education and simple tools for evaluating the success of programs and ministries implemented in the community.

UPCOMING EVENTS

March 14 — Presentation and workshop by Eric Swanson, a leading expert on the externally focused church
Download brochure and registration (.pdf)

Download Acrobat Reader (for .pdfs)

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