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I believe that this is an important moment for us. In various ways I have been saying to you, “we are not pulling back, scared, waiting to see, but we are moving forward in bold faith, trusting that God is calling us, leading us, providing for us.” You see, though we have a long history as a congregation, right now is very much the beginning of Christ Church Anglican. What we do in these first days, and how and why we do it, sets the DNA which will remain in the foundation of our church forever. As your pastor, I want us to set a foundation like the one the churches in Macedonia set in the early days of the Christian Church…
In 2 Corinthians 8:1-5a Paul say, “We want you to know, brethren, about the grace of God which has been shown in the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of liberality on their part. For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own free will, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints - and this, not as we expected, but first they gave themselves to the Lord…”
We have the opportunity, even while we are being tested by our own outward afflictions as a parish, to demonstrate a wealth of liberality as we earnestly seek the favor of being able to take part in the relief of the saints. And these are our saints: Game, Elebor, Maikona, Goro Rukesa, Badasa, Laisamis… These are our mission partners, and we are their mission partners.
And so I renew my appeal to you, not to wait until the official Ingathering on October 23rd but to give now to the Christ Church Tree Church Project. Please make your household’s check out to Christ Church Anglican, marked for the Tree Church Project. If each household gives $100, we will meet our goal of $20,000 and October 23 can be simply for celebration. It is urgent that we meet this goal in financial giving, whatever financial needs we may have or perceive we have of
our own, because saving life is an issue of urgency. I believe that if we “first give ourselves to the Lord,” we can not only do this, we can also raise the same goal for our new building fund (each household giving $100 for each goal - you can do so in one check, or online).
I also urge you to make every attempt to attend this Sunday so that you can worship with and hear from Bp. Qampicha and Safia. I know it will mean so much to them to see so many who have come to support and encourage them.
I will write again soon.
Faithfully,
Fr. Ted
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