Disciple: ONE THOUSAND DAYS OF LOVE: We Did It!

Diocese of North Carolina raises more than $215,000 for Episcopal Relief & Development

In November 2020, the Diocese of North Carolina embarked on a diocesan-wide fundraising campaign to support ONE THOUSAND DAYS OF LOVE, the campaign of Episcopal Relief & Development dedicated to expanding the organization’s global programs and improving the lives of children in their critical first six years. As part of the $3 million grassroots Church-wide fundraising campaign, the Diocese pledged to raise $198,000, which represented a $15 donation from each parishioner in our Diocese (based on the 2019 average Sunday attendance [ASA]).

Though it took a bit longer than the original six-week timeline, we did it! Not only did we reach our goal, we exceeded it, raising a total of $215,686.07.

“Kudos to the Rev. Louise Anderson and the Steering Committee that helped lead this effort, and deep thanks to everyone who supported the campaign,” said Josephine Hicks, vice president, Episcopal Church programs for Episcopal Relief & Development. “We are grateful for the Diocese of North Carolina’s generosity. You make our tagline come true: Working together for lasting change.”

The name of the ONE THOUSAND DAYS OF LOVE campaign reflects the critical first 1,000 days of a child’s life. The ultimate goal of the campaign is to expand on the work and model of building relationships within communities, implementing community-led, holistic approaches to address the interrelated needs of families with young children: parenting, health, nutrition, food security and livelihoods. By ensuring children have what they need to thrive now, communities start on a path to be transformed, as 15-20 years from now, those children will be healthy, productive adults who contribute to those communities.

AND THE WINNER IS…

When the campaign launched, every church in the Diocese was issued a congregational fundraising challenge based on the church’s 2019 ASA. Several churches met their goal quickly, and, as the campaign extended through the Easter season, the pot was sweetened with a little friendly convocational competition.

Churches were encouraged to meet their challenge as a contribution to a convocational total. The convocation that exceeded their goal by the greatest percentage would receive a prize of $2,500 to donate to the local ministry or charity of their choice. By taking part, churches were not only helping children on a global scale, they were also working toward the chance of supporting a ministry in their local area.

Every convocation made a tremendous contribution toward the Diocese reaching its goal, with the Charlotte Convocation winning the challenge, having exceeded its goal by the greatest percentage. The $2,500 prize will be awarded to the Rev. Amanda Stephenson, dean of the convocation, at the 206th Annual Convention.

THANK YOU

“I am grateful to Episcopal Relief & Development for inviting us into this opportunity and allowing us to support this important and life-changing effort,” said the Rt. Rev. Sam Rodman, bishop of the Diocese of North Carolina. “I believe that being called to deepen our connection with our global sisters and brothers is a vital expression of beloved community, especially during these challenging times. I am grateful our diocese has responded so generously to this invitation and that, by the many gifts and the grace of the Holy Spirit, we have been able to exceed our goal.”

Thank you so often seems inadequate when the occasion makes as deep an impact as the one made by you, the faithful of the Diocese of North Carolina. But it is with deep gratitude we thank you, for taking part, for your generosity, for coming together to make a difference. Because of you, more than 13,000 children and their communities will be nurtured and nourished in meaningful, sustainable and culturally respectful ways.

That’s a lot of love.

DONATE TODAY

It’s never too late to donate to the ONE THOUSAND DAYS OF LOVE campaign, as the nationwide campaign continues. You can donate here.