Because You Gave… | 2011 Missions Committee Report
“…and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and
in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of
the earth” Acts 1:8
Dear Fellow Parishioners,
Since Fr. Spencer announced at last year’s annual meeting that he was leading a renewal in our congregational support for missions, it has been amazing how substantial the progress has been.
We give glory to God for so what has been accomplished in such a short time.
There was a pent-up interest in missions that has exploded far beyond our initial, modest plans as a committee. All the line items in our budget have been subscribed or over-subscribed. Our quarterly goals were met. Plus, we are thrilled to report that over $5000 was raised in addition for the Synod support to a Dalit school for untouchable children in India. This was accomplished through our indigenous partners at Operation Mobilization Andra Pradesh. With gifts that were collected for Guatemala, our mission’s offerings this year reached nearly $8,500.
Missions Committee efforts have spilled over into the Men’s Group (aid to Guatemalan garbage dump children) and through the Women’s Ministry with a combined “Angel Tree” for three of our mission partners (The Bridge Ministry, The Salvation Army, and the Pregnancy Centers).
As we look ahead to 2012, we are hoping to take on another project with the Synod, perhaps in the Philippines, although this has yet to be confirmed. Using Acts 1:8 as our “blueprint for action” All Saints is having a growing impact on our local community (Jerusalem), nationally (Judea), minorities and visitors (Samaria), and around the world (uttermost parts) – all for the glory of God and Christ our Savior.
Please read through this report for a little more detail. Many of these outreaches, such as our work with The Salvation Army and International Students, have involved not just material and financial aid, but volunteer involvement as well.
On behalf of Fr. Spencer and the entire Missions Committee, we thank everyone who has had a part in 2011 and invite you to join with us for an even greater outreach in 2012.
Yours in Christ’s Missionary Passion,
Bill Bray, Missions Chair
Reaching Our Jerusalem | Serving Our Local Community
The Center’s vision is to reduce the abortion rate in the Central Virginia Piedmont area by reaching the community to provide
free services with excellence in the following areas: crisis pregnancy counseling, pregnancy support services, abstinence education, and quality Christian counseling. The Center sees approximately 1,900 client visits per year at the two Charlottesville centers. Of the positive pregnancy tests where the woman was abortion-minded or abortion-vulnerable 123 women have chosen life for their baby so far this year. When a pregnancy test is negative, The Center will help the woman talk about goals, purity, STDs, healthy relationships, and abstinence until they meet their God-given husband. The Center helps clients with maternity and baby clothing, baby equipment, cribs, car seats, layette sets when the baby is born, and of course, Bibles. Total commitment to The Pregnancy Centers of Central Virginia for 2011: $1000
The primary way All Saints supports the local Salvation Army is by providing dinners at their outreach center in Charlottesville on the fifth Thursday of each month, or four times per year. The money given by All Saints is to help cover the cost of the food. Volunteers are always needed for this work. Contact Kent Stout, 434-969-2013 or 434-531-5321 (cell) for further information. Total commitment to The Salvation Army for 2011: $250
While serving a long-term sentence in the Orange County Regional Jail, Bridge Ministry founder, William Washington, was apprehended by the love of God and found the grace and strength to begin a new life. The former drug addict and dealer began reaching out to those in jail through a community prayer meeting. Later, he and his wife, Joyce, opened their home to families in their neighborhood and to troubled men who needed help overcoming addiction. Since 1996, The Bridge Ministry has been providing a second chance for men who are committed to breaking free from life-controlling issues. Nearly nine out of ten men who complete at least twelve months of The Bridge Ministry program go on to live successful and productive lives. Information is available at http://bridgeministry.net/. Total commitment to the Bridge Ministry for 2011: $250
The vision of the Center for Christian Study is to serve Jesus Christ by fostering the serious consideration in the university environment of a Biblical worldview, and by encouraging and facilitating wise discussion of the Truth in light of the challenges of contemporary culture. Their mission is to provide opportunities and resources for corporate and individual investigation of the truths of the historic Christian faith in response to the questions raised by contemporary society. They provide these opportunities and resources first to the University of Virginia, secondly to the Charlottesville community and thirdly to the broader region. Total commitment to the Center for Christian Study for 2011: $250
Reaching Our Judea | …Serving Our Nation
The mission statement for Mars Hill Audio is “To produce creative audio resources that encourage Christians to grow in obedient wisdom concerning the cultural consequences of our duty to love God and neighbor.” They believe that fulfilling the commands to love God and neighbor requires paying careful attention to the neighborhood: that is, every sphere of human life where God is either glorified or despised, where neighbors are either edified or undermined. Therefore, living as disciples of Christ pertains not just to prayer, evangelism, and Bible study, but also enjoyment of literature and music, use of tools and machines, what we eat and drink, views on government and economics, and so on. Further information is available at: http://marshillaudio.org/
Total commitment to Mars Hill Audio for 2011: $250
Reaching Our Samaria | …Serving Ethnic Minorities
ISI is our official liaison with UVa and the International Student Center on the grounds. Many members and families of All Saints host international students on the UVa campus. Steve Braintwain, UVa ISI Director, has helped us for three years to “host” these students through their Friendship Family and Friendship Partner program as well as arrange for international students to be our guests for holidays. This is an exciting way that many families in our parish are finding to interact with visitors from all over the world and share our faith. There are many other volunteer opportunities to provide food, attend outings, teach ESOL, and interact with undergrads, grads, and spouses at the University. Further information is available at www.isivirginia.com. Total commitment to Int’l Students Inc: Although we are supporting international students outreach through Christian Aid (OSM), our primary local partner at UVa is Int’l Students Inc.
Reaching Our Uttermost Parts | …Serving World Missions
The mission of Barnabas Aid is to support Christians in places where they are in a minority and suffer discrimination, oppression and persecution as a consequence of their faith. Their goal is to strengthen Christian individuals, churches and their communities by providing material and spiritual support in response to needs identified by local Christian leaders. Barnabas Aid does this by making those needs known to Christians around the world and encouraging prayer and financial giving in support of these brothers and sisters in Christ, and working with existing local Christian organizations by speaking on their behalf. The Fund channels this aid from donors to the needy recipients with minimum overhead. All gifts are monitored to ensure they are used in line with the stated need. Further information may be found at
http://www.barnabasfund.org /US/Home/. Total commitment to Barnabas Aid for 2011: $500
The Christian Aid Mission (Overseas Students Mission) is our mission partner with 800 indigenous mission ministries deploying over 80,000 native missionary staff working among 3000 tribes, tongues, nations and ethnic groups in 122 countries. These native leaders are involved in every kind of evangelistic ministry as well as holistic outreaches in education, medicine and social concern in connection with local churches. In addition, Dr. Bob Finley, the founder of Christian Aid in 1953, also organized Overseas Students Mission and International Students, Inc. — which has the largest ministry to overseas visitors at UVa and on nearly 300 other campuses in the USA. Total commitment to The Christian Aid Mission for 2011: $500
A Prayer for Missions
O God, who hast made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on the face of the whole earth, and didst send thy blessed Son to preach peace to them that are far off and to them that are nigh; Grant that all men everywhere may seek after thee and find thee. Bring the nations into thy fold, pour out thy Spirit upon all flesh, and hasten thy kingdom; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Conclusion
Faithful prayers and generous giving enable All Saints Anglican Church to support the work of the organizations described here. Please continue to pray for God’s blessing on these ministries and for guidance from the Lord as to how He is calling you to be involved in taking the Gospel to our community, our nation, and the world.
The Missions Committee made substantial progress on reaching Fr. Spencer’s goals for this year: (1) building an infrastructure to match our local efforts with that of the Synod, (2) distribute aid to the vetted missions, and (3) reach a point where 30% of our parishioners involve themselves in one of our mission outreaches.
If you would like to know more about any of these groups and possible ministry opportunities, please contact any member of the Missions Committee below or see the Missions Directory:
Bill Bray, Committee Chair bill@christianaid.org
Ivy Bray brayivy@yahoo.com
Priscilla King kingplk@gmail.com
Julie McDermott ryan.juliea@gmail.com
Sean McDermott hillsdaleiscold@gmail.com
Paul Moruza pmoruza@gmail.com
Katy Shonka kshonka@gmail.com
David Shonka david.shonka@gmail.com
Special Note: Although outside the actual Missions Committee line item, our 2011 Lenten appeal for the “untouchable” Dalit Caste in India was coordinated by Missions Committee volunteers. By the grace of God, over $5,000 was given by All Saints toward the Synod goal of $50,000.