The seed will grow well, the vine will yield its fruit, the ground will produce its crops, and the heavens will drop their dew. I will give all these things as an inheritance to the remnant of this people.
In Zechariah 8:12, the prophet Zechariah casts a vision for peace. He shows forth a world where each person lives without enmity, fear and destruction.
There are many ways that we already sow the seeds of peace in our community, both as a congregation and as individuals. The Peace & Global Witness Offering is one way we can extend Christ’s peace throughout our community and our world. Through our generous support, our gifts will combine with churches across the PC(USA) to sow seeds of peace around the globe. Twenty-five percent of this offering will stay with our church to promote peace through our own ministries, and 25% is retained by our presbytery for peace and justice ministries in our region. The remaining funds are distributed to Presbyterian initiatives in the world.
During the month of September, our congregation will receive inserts in the bulletin and members of our Outreach committee present “minutes for mission” that will describe the work of peace supported by the Peace & Global Witness Offering. This offering will be collected on World Communion Sunday, October 6.
We begin at the communion table, with our siblings in every time and place, and we celebrate the peace we find there and commit to building a more just and peaceful world. God is with us and God in Christ is with us through the Sacrament of Communion, celebrated on World Communion Sunday. We are not alone. Peace begins with each of us.
You may contribute to the Peace & Global Witness fund by designating “Peace Offering” on your check to Grace Presbyterian or you can make a direct contribution through the PCAUSA website: https://specialofferings.pcusa.org/make-a-gift/gift-info/peace-global-witness/
Thank you for your generosity! When we all do a little, it adds up to a lot!
– The Outreach Committee