Calvin Synod Herald, 1972 (72. évfolyam, 8-12. szám)
1972-12-01 / 12. szám
8 CALVIN SYNOD HERALD Editor's Clipsheet "ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 31" On or before December 31, 1972, you have a final opportunity to express your gratitude for life and love and happiness in 1972 by an extra end-ofthe-year gift to your church. For some it has been a good year. For others it has been a difficult year, yet one which could have been worse. Hardly one of us is so destitute of material possessions, of the loving concern of family or friends, that he or she can label 1972 “a totally bad year.” Of course, your support of the church is necessary and desirable throughout the year. And one day’s delay, more or less, can make little difference to the giver when a gift is given “from the heart.” But it can make a real difference to the church and to those whom the church would serve. The end of the calendar year is an especially good time to give an extra gift to the work of the church — a good time for individuals and for congregations and other church groups. Individuals who make their contributions before the end of the year can afford to give more since their gift is tax-deductible. Hardly any of us has used up the allowable limit for such contributions. And the special gifts of individuals can enable congregations and other church groups to give an extra contribution to the wider work of the church which, when made before the end of the year, allows the church to accomplish more than would otherwise be possible. To make sure that you and your church are able to take full advantage of these end-of-the-year circumstances, why not make your gift today. You will be glad you did! WATCH FOR THE "BIG E" Last summer, the United Church Board for Homeland Ministries sponsored the Deering Conference on Faith and Its Corporate Expression. Out of this experience, in which representatives of selected conferences and national staff participated, has come “A Statement of Commitment” which describes in dramatic fashion the meaning of evangelism for today. A booklet entitled Evangelism for A New Day, the final outcome of this process, contains the statement and amplifies its message to the churches. Copies of this booklet have already been sent to every congregation of the United Church of Christ. If you have not yet seen the booklet or heard of its arrival, be sure to ask your pastor. The statement itself calls for personal commitment and expectation of the birth of new things: new persons, new behavior, new strength and growth for the church, and new joy in the Lord of the church and of the world that celebrates the things he has done, is doing, and will do. The publication of this booklet is the latest in a whole series of activities and events which our denomination has undertaken in an effort to overcome what the last General Synod identified as “the crisis of faith.” A wide variety of opportunities in 1972 and 1973 have been planned for men and women, young and old, to gather together to share from their lives and to explore the meaning of the Good News in these days. The term “Faith Exploration” has been coined to cover the variety of these events sponsored and promoted by our Council for Lay Life and Work. A total of eleven guides for leaders of “Adventure in Faith” have now been published by the Council, each of which describes an “event” which can be planned within a local congregation. The plans are given with both detail and flexibility so that they may be adapted to the needs of churches large or small. These leaders guides are now available from Central Distribution Service, Box 7286, St. Louis, Mo. 63177. MAINTAINING THE CHRISTIANS The phrase “Christians Present” are related to, but distinct from the familiar words “Christian Presence” used to describe a wide variety of present-day ministries. Each one of us is called to be a Christian presence in whatever circumstances he or she may be during the week. Our missionaries overseas are a Christian presence in many non-Christian communities and lands. Recently, Lloyd Van Vactor, one of the missionaries of our United Church Board for World Ministries, described his work at Dansalan College in the Philippines in slightly different terms. “We are trying,” he said, “to maintain the Christians present in order to have a Christian presence.” Dansalan is a small school located in the predominantly Muslim Marawi City. In the last two years the area has been the scene of a serious conflict, sparked by political and economic motives that has taken on the nature of a religious conflict, Muslim vs. Christian. Hundreds of persons have been killed, many have been injured even mutilated. Thousands of homes have been burned, and persons have been dislocated. In this situation it has been difficult to maintain the “Christians present.” The faculty members of Dansalan College have been urged by families to move to safety. But so far they have decided to stay, to continue to live in the community and work there in order to maintain this other presence. Asked what he is trying to do, Van Vactor replies, “I believe it is the opportunity that God has offered to the Christian community for service and witness . . . I’m trying to strengthen the faith and determination of my fellow Christians. I’m trying to be along with them to bridge the understanding between Christians and Muslims.” WHERE OUR MONEY GUES? You may have wondered how much it costs to support a missionary overseas. Recently, the United Church Board for World Ministries estimated that, on the average, it takes $6,211 per year to support one of its overseas personnel. This is in addition to the costs of recruitment and orientation of such persons. The reason that this is an “average” figure is that compensation for missionaries is related to the costs of living in various parts of the world and to family size. In many cases, both husband and wife are missionaries with separate responsibilities. In this case the Board’s salary for the family is twice the basic amount. Family allowances also vary from situation tto situation. Many congregations which are already giving generously to Basic Support for Our Christian World Mission have discovered the joy of helping beyond this amount for a Second Mile Special project. Support of individual missionaries is the most popular of the Second Mile Special projects. For further information about this program, contact your conference office. 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