World Mission Sunday 2008 calls for 'Extending God's Grace to Everyone, Everywhere'
Episcopal News Service. November 5, 2007 [110507-04]
"Extending God's Grace to Everyone, Everywhere" will be the theme of World Mission Sunday 2008, to be observed on February 3. Based on 2 Corinthians 4:15, "Yes, everything is for your sake, so that grace, as it extends to more and more people, may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God," World Mission Sunday's theme underscores the variety of opportunities for nurturing relationships in Christ throughout the world and is a call for Episcopalians to live out the Baptismal Covenant by proclaiming the Good News, seeking and serving Christ in all persons, and striving for justice and peace among all people.
"Thousands of Episcopalians have experienced the grace that comes from participating in our church's international mission endeavors," said Canon Margaret S. Larom, director of Anglican and Global Relations. "The joy of being part of God's mission in the world -- of knowing that we can make a difference while serving alongside our partners -- is one of the great blessings available to us. Whether individually or in teams, as congregations or dioceses, as missionaries or mission supporters, Episcopalians are reaching out to everyone, everywhere, with commitment, energy, and love. For that, I give grateful thanks to God."
Celebrated each year on the last Sunday after Epiphany, World Mission Sunday encourages awareness of and participation in global mission by parishes and dioceses of the Episcopal Church. World Mission Sunday 2008 will focus on the many ways God's mission is carried out around the world, through prayer, relationship, time, labor, and money. The theme "Everyone, Everywhere" will carry through to a church-wide world mission conference set for June 5-8, 2008, in Baltimore, Maryland.
Resources for World Mission Sunday will be available online for ordering or downloading at www.episcopalchurch.org/wmsunday beginning December 3. Posters in English and Spanish, bulletin inserts, prayers, homilies, and ways to become more active in the Episcopal Church's global mission are among the resources that will be offered to help parishes and dioceses celebrate World Mission Sunday.
"God's mission transforms the world and the church. Local congregations, dioceses, the Episcopal Church, the Anglican Communion, the universal church -- all experience transformation as they engage mission," said the Rev. Dr. James B. Lemler, director of mission for the Episcopal Church. "In our age and time, every congregation is connected and can be further connected to mission throughout the world. There are no boundaries or limitations to God's love, and, similarly, there are no limitations to the companionship in mission which we share with Christian brothers and sisters in every corner of the globe.
"World mission is local mission, in myriad settings around the earth and in each congregation 'at home.' The connections are astonishing. The possibilities are limitless. The hope is that of the Gospel itself."
Further information about World Mission Sunday 2008 is available here or by contacting Mary Brennan, World Mission Education Officer, 212-716-6223, mbrennan@episcopalchurch.org. Details about the world mission conference "Everyone, Everywhere" are available here.