The Primate's World Relief and Development Fund (PWRDF) is the official international aid and development agency of the Anglican Church of Canada. Through the PWRDF, Canadian Anglicans participate in development and emergency relief work worldwide.

PWRDF has been strongly supported by members of the Diocese of New Westminster. In 2007, the contributions totalled $391,574, the highest contribution from a diocese in the Anglican Church of Canada. Since PWRDF’s founding, New Westminster Anglicans have given over $7.6 million.

Volunteer Terry Jones describes some of PWRDF's work.

Anglicans within the Diocese of New Westminster have traditionally been strongly involved in the work of the Fund, either through fund-raising or in events to raise awareness of the Fund’s work. Key to this involvement are the Parish Reps, people within each parish who lead parish PWRDF events, raise funds and keep the goals, achievements and needs of the Fund alive in the minds of the people in the pews. These volunteers are the heart and soul of the PWRDF and one of the main reasons for its success.

For example, at Christ Church Cathedral, an enthusiastic team of PWRDF volunteers is raising money for AIDS relief in Soweto, South Africa, by selling cookies after Sunday services. This has directly raised a substantial sum in support of this project, as well as keeping parishioners aware of the work of PWRDF.

In the Diocese of New Westminster a Diocesan PWRDF Unit exists to support the Parish Reps and provide a focus for PWRDF activities within the Diocese. This small group, led by Unit Chair Peter Goodwin, provides these services:

PWRDF Unit Chair Peter Goodwin leads a discussion at an event for parish PWRDF Representatives.

PWRDF Launches Living Justice Youth Resource

The Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund is pleased to announce the launch of Living Justice, a confirmation resource for youth. This 6-session curriculum is designed to be used as a supplement to any existing confirmation preparation process. Each session explores a different aspect of justice: Deep Justice, Fair Trade, Extreme Poverty, HIV/AIDS, the Environment, and Gender Justice. Living Justice is based around a multi-media experience: powerpoint, video, as well as a variety of activities to meet many learning styles. It will be available as part of the PWRDF resource order form this year, as a download from the PWRDF youth website (www.justgeneration.ca), or by contacting Sheilagh McGlynn, the justgeneration.ca Facilitator, at smcglynn [at] pwrdf [dot] org. It will ship in September, 2011.

Living Justice was envisioned as an opportunity to engage young people at a time when they are attending church- their confirmation preparation time. By providing Living Justice as an easy to use “plug-in” for any confirmation process, PWRDF hopes to instill a sense of the importance of justice in the lives of Christians. While Living Justice is geared towards confirmation students, it has a much broader reach. “This isn’t just for confirmation- the sessions can be used by youth groups, Bible study groups, adult education groups. It’s a great resource for anybody,” says McGlynn.

The Living Justice resource will highlight PWRDF partners and the work of PWRDF in Canada within each session, but its scope is wider. “It gives a great overview of justice issues,” says McGlynn. “Living Justice will allow students to be able to engage in justice issues within our faith context.” 

The PWRDF national office maintains an excellent website explaining the aims and work of the Fund and providing a wealth of resources at www.pwrdf.org. Contact details for the national office can be found there.

The Diocesan PWRDF Unit can be contacted by emailing pwrdf@vancouver.anglican.ca or through the Diocesan office at 604-684-6306.