Our Mission
The Episcopal Church has an organization acting as the hands and feet of Christ in times of disaster and for long-te
rm assistance. Episcopal Relief and Development is the collective response of Episcopalians in Kentucky and around the world to help people in need. ERD works with churches sending emergency relief in times of natural and man-made disasters, as well as providing programs for long-term development.
Following the lead of the national church, ERD has embraced the Milennium Development Goals as a top priority for the mission and ministry of the whole church for the whole world working to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger on this planet.
As with all disasters, the best help comes from local people helping local people. That is why ERD partners with Anglican presences in the area of need to send emergency grants. People in Kentucky have benefited from this practice. In November 2005, a tornado struck Hopkins County, Ky., causing widespread damage and loss of homes and property. ERD sent a grant to the Diocese of Kentucky, which sent the funds to the Hopkins County Assistance Center to assist those in need.
A network of volunteers is established throughout the dioceses of the Episcopal Church to spread the word about ERD's mission in the congregations and to assist in times of need. With God's help, a ministry of response will soon be established in this diocese as folks get training from the Kentucky Community Crisis Response Team to act as first-response assessment and emotional first-aid to those affected by disaster.
Contact Person: The Rev. Jim Trimble, ERD Coordinator for the Diocese of Kentucky
