Reflecting on the lessons of the UNCSW I return to an observation I noted at the end of our week together—that it does not take an official title or position to create the change one wishes to see in the world.

Much of my time was spent attending various events hosted by organizations whose work and missions aligned with the goals of the United Nations. Leaders of these groups were not major political figures or celebrities, for the most part. Instead, they were committed people who saw need and acted upon it creatively, using their energy to inspire others.

As Episcopalians, we are called to action by the 2006 General Convention to uphold the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals as the first priority of our Church. These guidelines, set by many governments worldwide, encompass education, child and maternal health, female empowerment, and hunger. Yet these goals are not just the wishes of foreign governments and politicians. They are concrete targets to achieve Christ’s vision of loving our neighbor and providing for the poor.

The Episcopalian faith finds heavenly salvation in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We can also find earthly salvation from poverty, hunger, and disease in our own unified efforts. On this earth, we are custodians of Christ’s work—and that work is achieved best by combating suffering through cooperation, hopelessness through creativity, and distress through dedication.

Our own efforts may not be advertised in newspapers or billed on national news, but each step toward creating a more perfect world while we are here is one that follows in Christ’s footsteps. We are God’s hands. We are His earthly agents. It is time to serve, as we have been called.

Filed under: UNCSW