Sometimes it feels like the world is coming at us so quickly that we don’t know which way to turn, where to look, what to do next. In a chaotic world, we find strength in knowing that God is always near. That is why we are grateful for a season of coming together as a diverse community, mutually seeking peace, justice, and equity for all of God’s people. This season culminates on World Communion Sunday, October 3, when we receive the Peace & Global Witness Offering.
The Peace & Global Witness Offering draws Presbyterians together and provides education and exposure to those who show us how to do this work well. Some of the missions made possible by the offering include supporting church partners in Lebanon recovering from trauma after a bombing in Beirut; helping congregations address the growing mental health crisis and the increasing number of suicides in their communities. And this offering made it possible for the whole church to come together to support a peacemaking travel study to the U.S.-Mexico border, where participants got learned about the difficult life for many people in Central America and Mexico who are fleeing from poverty and violence.
As Presbyterians and a Matthew 25 church, we give because we know that every level of society is in need of Christ’s peace, justice, and equity—at all times, in all ways. Our prayers for peace and work for justice will be joined with this offering to make a difference throughout the world. ELPC will retain 25% of this offering to support the ministry of our newly organized Facing Systemic Racism Committee. Another 25% will be retained by mid councils to support peacemaking efforts being pursued by our neighboring congregations. And the remaining 50% will be deployed by the Presbyterian Mission Agency to join the peacemaking efforts of church partners all over the globe. Learn more at PresbyterianMission.org/peace-global.
The ELPC Mission Board and committees challenge each of us to consider how we might increase our witness and our giving. And we pray that the God of peace might open our hearts to join with Christians everywhere at the Lord’s Table on World Communion Sunday, October 3, and respond generously to the Peace & Global Witness Offering.