Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
In Isaiah 12:4 we read, “In that day you will say: ‘Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted.’”
I know that in our churches we are giving praise to God and proclaiming his name, but are we making known among the nations what he has done, so that all peoples can proclaim, with us, that his name is exalted?
I rejoice to say that much work and partnership IS taking place around the globe, but there is much more still to be done to inspire and encourage us to participate in God’s global and great commission. We have designated the second Sunday before the end of Epiphany as World Mission Sunday, and that day this year is February 19, 2017.
The Anglican Church in North America and Anglican Global Mission Partners (AGMP) have teamed up to provide you with helpful resources to make this special day spiritually challenging, prayerfully engaging, and practically motivating. Please visit the New Wineskins Missionary Network site at newwineskins.org and a special video “God’s Passion for the World” that we prepared just for this occasion, along with a promotional trailer that you can use in advance of Feb. 19. You can plan a mission training day, lunch or dinner event, invite a guest speaker, or host a special Sunday School class focused on world mission and play the “God’s Passion for the World” video. There is even a study guide you can download. You can highlight those mission projects and partners that your congregation supports, and take up a special offering on their behalf.
Other resources offered online include a prayer Litany for Mission, special excerpts from the Kenyan Eucharistic Liturgy, and other links to videos that will help educate your parish on “the task remaining” to reach the ends of the earth with the gospel message! A listing of AGMP partners, who are available to speak, train or preach, can also be found at newwineskins.org or contact info@newwineskins.org if you need assistance.
Thank you for your partnership in proclaiming the Gospel in both word and deed throughout the world.
The Most Rev. Dr. Foley Beach
Archbishop and Primate of the Anglican Church in North America
