LEARNING ABOUT MISSION

World Mission Sunday 2003

Reconciliation

World Mission Interpretation and Networks is happy and excited to offer resources to help The Episcopal Church everywhere celebrate World Mission Sunday. We believe that this is a special opportunity to prayerfully and actively reflect upon and engage in world mission. We want to support and enhance the Baptismal covenant "to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ through the ministry of all its members as the Church prays, worships, proclaims the Gospel, and promotes justice, peace and love." This year, we are offering materials on reconciliation, a powerful word and concept which is not always understood or practiced, but continues to be the center and goal of Christian life.

SPECIAL ITEMS
All of the resources below are designed either to provide information or to support opportunities for reflection. Some of these items offer viewpoints about the reconciliation process. Others are offered as theological and spiritual food for thought for your own praying and thinking about what reconciliation might mean for you, your parish and your diocese. Enjoy the exploration!

World Mission Sunday 2003 Letter
Reconciliation” is the theme for World Mission Sunday this year, which the Episcopal Church will observe on March 2. Our House of Bishops has been focusing on the topic of “Waging Reconciliation” ever since September 2001, and “Reconciliation” is one of the key words for the upcoming General Convention theme of “Engage God’s Mission.”

Text Resources
	Engage God’s Mission: Presiding Bishop sees reconciliation as key to mission... Bishop Frank Griswold addressed the 20/20 Strategy Meeting in November 2002 on the theme of "Engage God's Mission." He focused particularly on the ministry of reconciliation which, he pointed out, is key to the mission of the church. For a complete transcript of his inspiring teaching, click here.
	Special Text Resource Prof. Robert D. Hughes of the School of Theology at the University of South has offered his own substantive insights on the scripture readings for World Mission Sunday. Go to this item not only for sermon preparation, but also to get a good conversation starter for an adult education forum.
	Special Text Resource Bringing together word themes and Bible passages, this resource offers an opportunity to bring prayer and meditation to the World Mission Sunday worship experience. It is suitable for use as a group activity or as a personal spiritual practice.

Liturgical Resources
	Anglican Cycle Of Prayer Nothing is more effective in creating, nurturing and healing relationships than becoming and remaining prayerfully informed about who we are as individuals and as a community. The Anglican Cycle of Prayer provides this opportunity in one resource. You can purchase to book online at Forward Movement Publications, or call them 513-721-6659 or 800-543-1813 (in the USA and Canada).
	2003 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is a time, usually in January, when all Christians are invited to come together to pray for the healing of divisions and conflicts among our various denominations, traditions and communities. This year's liturgical resource from the Graymoor Ecumenical & Interreligious Institute is rich in themes about the process and final vision of reconciliation.
	Epiphanytide Prayers For World Peace Anglican Communion News Service, a service of the Anglican Communion Office in London, England providing current information on people, events and movements throughout the Anglican Communion, shared in an article dated January 3, 2003 a new web site developed by the Church of England. An Invitation to Prayer: praying together for peace, justice and reconciliation at www.invitationtoprayer.org is featuring prayers for Epiphany focusing on world peace. They also have a set of prayers that focus on other issues as well as a resource on how to pray.

Materials for Download


	PDF	"Reconciliation" Poster Prints 8" x 11" (Original size is 11" x 17" and was mailed to parishes and dioceses; best viewed in Adobe Acrobat 5.0) Details Download
	PDF	"Reconciliation" Bulletin Insert Scripture for the Journey Bulletin Insert Format 2 pages photocopied back to back 11" x 8 1/2", to be folded Details Download
	PDF	"Reconciliation" Youth Activity 2 pages, 8 1/2" x 11" Use separately or Photocopy back to back Details Download
	PDF	"Reconciliation" Bulletin Shell 1 page 11" x 8 1/2", to be folded Details Download