For almost 150 years the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania and Episcopal Community Services have partnered in various ways to serve the needs of the individuals and families experiencing poverty in our region. The leaders of both the Diocese and ECS desire to deepen our responses to the persisting problems and trauma that poverty creates. Today we are delighted to share with you the Covenant between the Diocese and ECS that provides a basis for our shared task of addressing the poverty that is in our midst.
This new Covenant reminds us that our baptismal covenant asks us “to seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving our neighbors as ourselves and to respect the dignity of every human being.”
To further this work, we have appointed The Rev. David R. Anderson as chaplain of Episcopal Community Services, effective January 15, 2019. Working with the staffs of both organizations and with volunteers from across the Diocese, Rev. Anderson will help lead us all in bringing the Covenant to life.
Our hope and prayer is that together we can grow in our responses to the persistent challenge of poverty. We believe that together we are stronger in this work.
The Rt. Reverend Daniel G. P. Gutierrez
XVI Bishop of The Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania
David E. Griffith
Executive Director, Episcopal Community Services
