JUBILEE COMMISSION
MISSION RESOURCE GROUP
ALTERNATIVE GIFT MARKET
FOOD PANTRY
HELPING HANDS
SWAZICOMPANIONS
SCHOOL MENTORING
OUTREACH
PEACE AND JUSTICE
PRISON MINISTRY
UNITED THANK OFFERING
CHRIST CHURCH HOME

 

 

 

 

 Mission Resource Group 2006 Annual Report

In the spring of 2006, the Jubilee Commission started discussing the possibility of having a committee that would offer and support a wide range of mission opportunities at Christ Church. As a small group began exploring how and why such a mission committee might be brought into being, they used the Rev. Titus Pressler definition of mission as their basis for defining what mission might be at Christ Church:

Mission is "ministry that crosses significant boundaries of human experience – cultural, social, economic, political, racial, ethnic, linguistic, geographical, or any combination of these. Mission takes us beyond our comfort zones, leading us to see the image of God in the face of "the other." In mission, we join with companions from other cultures as they bear witness in word and deed to God’s reconciling work, not only through service, but also through being present with one another, walking together on life’s path. Such incarnational ministry seeks not only to serve, but to be served, not only to share our faith stories, but to listen to and learn from the faith of others."

What would a "mission commission" look like? What would it do? In August, the Jubilee Commission affirmed the study group’s recommendation to gather together a committee of representatives from groups already involved in mission at Christ Church, and to invite others who are interested in seeing mission opportunities expanded. Representatives from SwaziCompanions, Christian Education, and groups formed around new mission opportunities would unite to --

  • FIND ways of making mission intentional and visible in our congregation. This would include recognizing mission in our midst as well as identifying potential mission projects that activate the gospel in a respectful and relational way. The committee would highlight and help connect people with mission opportunities… inviting participation and serving informally as a mission information and referral group.

  • ACT as a resource group, offering grants writing and other fundraising assistance, arranging for mission education and training sessions, dealing with gaps, overlaps & timing issues, and communicating with the congregation through forums and perhaps a quarterly or so newsletter [Mission Musings?].

  • LIFT up and celebrate the ministry of mission at Christ Church by commissioning missioners and welcoming them back on their return, sharing faith stories, encouraging celebratory events… in the hope that the idea and actuality of mission at Christ Church become second nature to an ever increasing number of our congregation.

A few mission projects occurred in 2006: Our four missioners returned from Swaziland in August, and the SwaziCompanions have begun a second round of mission fundraising and implementation. In October, the Outreach Committee and the Heart-Land children and teachers entered into a cooperative project to collect books for children in transition. Two or three Outreach-Christian Ed projects are being planned for the coming year. The Men of Mediocrity have undertaken building projects to assist people in need. A few mission trips have been suggested: New Orleans, St. Paul’s Indian Mission in Sioux City and Brechin, Scotland. Expansion of parishioner involvement in local projects that involve building respectful relationships, including Loaves and Fishes, Greene Square Meals, Johnson School Mentoring, Neighborhood Meals & Enrichment, H.D. Youth Center… may also come under the rubric of mission at Christ Church.

The next step is to move beyond the concept of a Mission Resource Group. The first official committee meeting is scheduled to be held early in the new year, 2007.