Peacemaking Offering, October 3

Next Sunday, October 3, Ardmore Presbyterian Church will receive donations for the Peacemaking Offering. The Presbyterian Peacemaking Offering supports the efforts of Presbyterians through their congregations, presbyteries, synods, and the General Assembly to work for peace by tearing down walls that divide. Congregations receive the Peacemaking Offering as part of World Communion Sunday, when Christians around the world celebrate our unity in Christ. As we receive bread and cup, we celebrate our unity in Christ, our peace, and are renewed to pass Christ’s peace to those around us and across the world.

The Bible witnesses to the centrality of peacemaking for Christian discipleship in three ways: first, the word “peace”—shalom in Hebrew and eirene in Greek—is widely used in the bible and has a wealth of meaning. It is through exploring the uses of the word “peace” in the Bible that we come to an understanding of the meaning of peace and peacemaking. Second, the visions and stories of the Bible offer models for the transformation of individuals and communities into peacemakers. It is through wrestling with these stories and making them our own that we grow as disciples of the Prince of Peace. Third, the entire biblical story shapes our calling to be peacemakers. It is through reflecting on the themes of the biblical witness as a whole that one is confronted by the significance of peace and peacemaking for thinking about God, God’s work in the world, and God’s intention for human persons, communities, and creation.

The Peacemaking Offering supports a variety of peacemaking efforts at all levels of the Presbyterian Church (USA). Twenty-five percent (25%) of the offering will be retained by our congregation and the Mission Awareness Committee has elected to have these funds go to St. Luke’s Hospital. Ardmore Presbyterian Church has supported St. Luke’s Hospital for a number of years. It is located in the West Bank of Palestine and provides vital health services without discriminating against patients’ nationality, religion or ability to pay. As a Christian organization, St. Luke’s is a very visible testament to Christ’s love and care for us.

Some examples of what the Peacemaking Offering provides at the General Assembly level are the following:

• Sponsors the Peacemaking seminar “Peacemaking: Still the Believers’ Calling”
• Helps lead workshops on living together in the diversity God creates
• Offers opportunities to work to end the use of children as soldiers
• Organizes and implements the International Peacemakers Program, which brings church leaders from other nations to the United States to share peacemaking concerns
• Creates worship resources on addressing gun violence, working for a nuclear-free world, stopping torture, and other issues of peace and justice.

In 2009, more than $2 million was received through the Peacemaking Offering. Promotional expenses amounted to $261,621 so over 98% of the offering was used for Peacemaking efforts.

I hope you will consider a donation to this important mission on World Communion Sunday, October 3.