"Witness" Is This Year's Good Friday Offering Theme
Episcopal News Service. February 20, 1986 [86033]
NEW YORK (DPS, Feb. 20) -- "Witness" is this year's theme for the Good Friday Offering, which focuses on the mission and ministry of the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East.
The work of the Church in that part of the world is portrayed in a 16-minutes slide and cassette presentation entitled "You Shall Be My Witness." The presentation is also available in video cassette.
This year there is also available a bulletin insert with photographs which describes the work of each one of the four dioceses of the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East: Iran, Cyprus and the Gulf, Egypt and Jerusalem
Since 1922, the Good Friday Offering has been assisting the Churches in the Middle East with funds for their missionary, educational and medical work. Presiding Bishop Edmond L. Browning has urged all Episcopalians to give generously so that the work of the Church in that part of the world can be continued and strengthened.
"The witness and courage of this small Church are an inspiration to all of us. As we give our offering on Good Friday, let us not forget the great needs of this sister province of the Anglican Communion..." he said in a letter to the Church.
The Rt. Rev. Samir Kafity, newly elected President-Bishop of the Province, said in a recent interview: "We love the Lord and communicate the love of the Lord to others through hospitals, schools, orphanages, rehabilitation institutions and projects and programs of service to all, without any distinction of race and creed."
The World Mission and Communication units at the Episcopal Church Center have prepared materials, which include a poster, a bulletin cover, a bulletin insert explaining the work of the province, and offering envelopes, to help promote the offering in parishes across the United States. Sample copies, along with order forms, are being mailed to all Episcopal parishes.