The Parish of the Messiah in the Newton village of Auburndale welcomed Tinka Perry, the diocesan coordinator for Episcopal Relief & Development, as a guest speaker at a recent Sunday morning service. She discussed the charge to Christians to seek and serve Christ in all persons, and to strive for justice and peace. She also talked about the progress being made in Episcopal Relief & Development’s mission of alleviating hunger, promoting health and ending poverty.
Perry discussed the tremendous need she witnessed during a recent study tour of Ghana. Approximately 80 percent of the population of Ghana lives in poverty in remote villages, she said, according to a prepared release from the parish. “Nets for Life,” one of Episcopal Relief & Development’s many programs, is dedicated to the prevention of malaria. This program educates members of the community about the transmission of the mosquito-borne disease, as well as how to recognize symptoms of malaria and when to seek treatment. The program also provides insecticide-treated nets, and training in how to use them to protect children and families from this deadly yet preventable disease.
Perry is available to speak about the work of Episcopal Relief & Development at other parishes in the diocese. For further information, contact her at mareliefanddevelopment@gmail.com or visit www.episcopalrelief.org.