World Mission Sunday: Money Matters Mulled
Episcopal News Service. January 31, 2005 [013105-1-A]
Honoring a commitment made by General Convention in 1997 (Resolution A205) to augment the church's awareness of and participation in world mission, World Mission Sunday will be observed throughout the Episcopal Church on February 6 under the theme "Treasuring the Communion."
The Episcopal Church's World Mission Interpretation and Networks office is once again offering resources to help congregations celebrate World Mission Sunday. Materials have been mailed to congregations and world mission networks, and are available online at: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/agr/wmsunday. A Spanish translation of the covering letter and poster, Día de Misión Mundial, is available online at: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/1649_54656_ENG_HTM.htm.
This year's theme will take a look at the role and importance of money in global mission. In the 2005 program letter, Margaret Larom, recently appointed director of Anglican and Global Relations (AGR), said that "at the national level, one quarter of our church's annual budget is devoted to nurturing global mission and Anglican relationships –- a total of $6.6 million."
Approximately 16 percent of AGR's budget supports missionaries who go out from the USA, another 31 percent supports the clergy, laity and bishops of the Episcopal Church's 12 overseas dioceses and jurisdictions, and the rest goes to provide base budget support for Anglican provinces, covenants, and agencies such as the Anglican Communion Office.
"This is serious money," Larom said, "...but it's only a fraction of what Episcopalians contribute to God's work in the world," citing approximately $3 million that is collected for the United Thank Offering per annum, and the generosity of Episcopalians' response to emergencies through Episcopal Relief and Development.
"Still, this is only a small part of the story," Larom added. "Almost all of our dioceses have companion relationships with dioceses (or even whole provinces) elsewhere in the Anglican Communion. Commitments of cash are usually significant, but more important is the traveling back and forth to get to know each other, the sharing of time to build a vision, the working side by side to realize dreams of a better world."
For six years, AGR has produced posters and other resources for World Mission Sunday. The website, www.episcopalchurch.org/agr/wmsunday, includes not only the resources for "Treasuring the Communion" but also all materials prepared for previous themes. They can be used at any time – the themes are timeless, and the resources are not dated. Large full-color posters can be obtained from Episcopal Parish Services, 1.800.903.5544; the rest of the material can be downloaded from the website and duplicated at will. Bulletin shells and inserts, homiletical notes for sermon preparation, and other helpful items are also available.
For further information please contact: Tracy Andres, 212.716.6226; email: tandres@episcopalchurch.org
Looking ahead:
Every year on Good Friday, pilgrims from all over the world gather to walk along the Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem. Some carry a cross, to understand better the nature of the burden that Jesus bore. Others accompany them, as witnesses, as penitents, as believers.
Since 1922, Episcopalians in the US have supported the ministries of the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East through the Good Friday Offering.
Further information about the Good Friday offering can be found online at: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/1649_1669_ENG_HTM.htm.