- Pray
for relief and reconciliation through restoration of United Methodist churches and
ministries that serve the physical, social and spiritual needs of Africa's children.
- Inform your
pastor, lay leader, mission chair, congregation and family about the appeal, and solicit
their support.
- Give to the
Bishops' Appeal: Hope for the Children of Africa, Advance #101000-4. (Please write
the Advance number on checks submitted through your local church treasurer.)
- Compose
and present special litanies and prayers during Advent. Include ones written by children
and youth.
- Send a
holiday letter church members asking them to pray for peace, justice and reconciliation
throughout the world.
- Urge
families to hold regular meditations and give thanks for the ways children of Africa offer
hope to the world.
- Keep a
written and or photo journal of children you meet if you travel to Africa. Include them in
the church newsletter, on bulletin boards or as a part of special presentations.
- Coordinate
an art exchange between children in your congregation and children in a church in an
African nation. Draw pictures of favorite things and exchange them. Use them for bulletin
covers or banners.
- Coordinate a
special worship service with neighbor churches using children in key planning and
leadership roles.
- Become a pen
pal. Write special prayers for your pal, and include their letters and prayers back to you
in worship.
- Become a pin
pal. Turn photos of you into pin-on buttons and send them to your friends in Africa. Or
use photos they may send to you and return them as gifts. Wear the pins on special days
during which you pray for African children and their families.
- Dedicate
specific bulletin board space for the appeal. Use it to collect and share special requests
from the congregation, posters, artwork, prayers, activities and updates on the financial
progress.
If you're interested in communicating with a church in Africa,
contact the General Board of Global Ministries, Clyde W. Anderson, (212) 870-3703,
canderso@gbgm-umc.org or Zebediah T. Marewangepo, (212) 870-3701, zmarewan@gbgm-umc.org.
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