"Hope Crosses" Available

Excitement is building toward the "Miracle Night Offering" when United Methodists in Louisiana make their contribution to the world-wide Bishops’ Appeal: Hope for the Children of Africa.

And a new fundraising option is now available to churches through the Conference and district offices beginning Feb. 25. Called "Hope Crosses," the cardboard coin holders provide an easy way for church members to collect $5 in quarters for the "Miracle Night Offering."

Five dollars is the goal for each person who regularly attends worship. So, if a church has an average of 50 people in attendance at a worship service, the church’s goal is a total of $250.

As Bishop Dan Solomon wrote recently in his column Making a Miracle Happen: "I am convinced that $5 per person is not only easily within our ability, it is almost embarrassingly modest. Most of our folk will far exceed this amount. It may well be that our Miracle Night Offering will surpass $300,000."

The "Hope Crosses" illustrate just how painless raising $5 can be: How hard is it to round up 20 quarters?

1. Develop "Kid Cents Calendar" that lets children contribute: for example, 10 cents for every pair of shoes, 25 cents for every water faucet.
2. Host a "Non-movie Night." Charge $5 admission. Hand out empty popcorn boxes and soda cans. Play soundtrack recordings from movies.
3. For every time the family eats out during Lent, match the tip and/or tax on the food.

Need for "Miracle" Urgent

By Cathy L. White, Newman UMC

In the summer of 1998, I was blessed to have been a part of the team that traveled to Luanda, Africa. We delivered tennis shoes and much needed HOPE.

It is with the Lord’s urging that I can say boldly, that I, too, am a witness to the urgent needs of the children and youth of Africa. There is an urgent need for a “Miracle” for these young lives.

The Greek translation of the word miracle is a "sign." The opportunity now is to be a "sign" for this exciting miracle by bringing offerings to Annual Conference for the children and youth of Africa. The offerings are called "Miracle Night Offerings." It has been stated that the miracle is not the amount of the offering but is in fact the miracles that will happen in the name of Jesus Christ because of the offering. These miracles will reveal to the children and youth of Africa that we understand their struggles. And, it will bless us by showing our love for all of God’s children.

I am enthusiastically awaiting the opening night of Annual Conference 1999. I am a witness that the Lord’s works will be fulfilled by showing our love for our neighbors in Africa. The word says: "You do well if you really fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ " James 2:8

Used by permission of The United Methodist Review, Louisiana Conference Edition

See also: Making a Miracle Happen and
Miracle Night Offering Exceeds Goal, Brings Joyous Opening Night Ceremony