Sharing the presence and work of Christ in the world.
“Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
The purpose of the Global Mission Committee is to advance the global ministry of the Episcopal Church by establishing partnerships across geographic and cultural boundaries and by engaging our parish in international concerns and crises, thus sharing the presence and work of Christ in the world.
Our vision is rooted in the baptismal vow to “seek and serve Christ in all persons,” as all are equally God’s children. The two primary geographical areas of our involvement are in Ecuador and South Africa where we provide education and support to disadvantaged children. In Ecuador we also support long-term missionary partners with ties to The Chapel of the Cross. Furthermore, we support Episcopal Relief and Development efforts around the world and promote events for parish engagement and service in global outreach.
Ecuador
Cameron Vivanco a SAMS (Society of Anglican Missionaries and Senders) missionary grew up at The Chapel of the Cross. Cameron has served with SAMS in Ecuador for twenty years, where she met her husband Roberto, and now lives with their three children. In 2003 Cameron founded Education Equals Hope, a 501(c)3 non-profit, that provides micro-scholarships for children who live in desperate and difficult situations making it possible for them to stay in school. Since its formation, E=H has spread to ten different communities in Ecuador and four other countries.
Over the years The Chapel of the Cross has maintained many rich connections with Cameron and E=H. And recently, Caroline (Williams) Allen formerly of The Chapel of the Cross and her husband John have begun serving with Cameron and E=H in Ecuador, giving us another strong tie to their work and ministry.
The Chapel of the Cross also has a special connection with Cristo Liberador, an Episcopal church in Quito, which is one of the E=H mission sites. With the help of grants from The Chapel of the Cross and the Diocese of North Carolina, Cristo Liberador was able to open a micro-market in early 2020 to make low-cost basic food available to people in their impoverished barrio. During Lent of 2021, The Chapel of the Cross and Cristo Liberador shared a virtual mission experience to Ecuador over Zoom. This virtual relationship has continued with regular Zoom calls between participants, building community, relationships, and friendships.
Support The Vivanco Ministry at SAMs
Support Education Equals Hope
South Africa
The Chapel of the Cross has collaborated with Kwasa College www.kwasacollege.org in South Africa for over a decade. Under the leadership of Reverend Sharron Dinnie, former rector of St. Peter and St. Paul Anglican Church in Springs, South Africa, Kwasa College has expanded from two pre-school classes operated out of shipping containers to a permanent facility that serves children from pre-school through seventh grade. It also has two “safe houses” on its site for homeless or displaced children. The school is located approximately 30 miles outside of Johannesburg near an informal settlement of 15,000 living in extremely impoverished conditions.
Chapel of the Cross parishioners have participated in two pilgrimages to Kwasa and were instrumental in the construction of “The Chapel of the Cross at Kwasa.” We have also hosted Rev. Dinnie, along with Kwasa students and teachers, on her visits to The Chapel of the Cross. More recently, through a grant from the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina, we brought two teachers from Kwasa to Chapel Hill to be trained in the Augustine method of teaching reading.
US donations to Kwasa College are processed through the Charities Aid Foundation of America (CAF AMERICA), a US 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. CAF AMERICA will provide a receipt for income tax deduction purposes.
Mission Trips & Pilgrimages
Mission in the Episcopal Church is based on companionship with other dioceses, parishes, and individuals at the international level. Global Mission Committee members and other Chapel of the Cross parishioners periodically go on mission trips and pilgrimages to establish and affirm our companion relationships. Based on the concept of growing together as equals, these companionships form the basis for a common community in Christ. The goal of all such trips is to identify how best all in the parish may be engaged in supporting our global mission partners and in developing meaningful reciprocal relationships. If you’d like to learn more about previous mission experiences or plans for future ones, please be in touch with Jill Conrad.
Additional Work
The Global Mission Committee periodically responds to unexpected international humanitarian crises by contributing funds to appropriate relief agencies, including Episcopal Relief and Development.
Support Episcopal Relief and Development
Committee Meetings
The Global Mission Committee meets monthly from September through June, usually the third Monday of the month, at 7:00 pm.
We invite you to join us. Your attendance and participation are always welcome. Also, we welcome you to engage in any program and service event in support of global missions and our global mission partners. Please contact our chair for further information and a Zoom link to our meetings.
- Committee Chair: Jill Conrad