GIVING THANKS BY GIVING
Nov 02, 2021
A message from MNYS Bishop Paul Egensteiner
I am grateful and filled with hope as our situation continues to improve regarding the pandemic, but the coronavirus crisis is not, yet, fully behind us. While we continue to take care of the most vulnerable among us and recover from the past year and a half, it comes as no surprise that the crisis has significantly impacted Mission Support to our synod. As we strive to be good stewards of our resources, we are currently in the process of reviewing the budget for our 2022-2023 program year.
Many of our congregations continue to be greatly affected by the COVID-19 crisis, and as a result, Mission Support has considerably decreased. Additionally, we are committed to helping all congregations in need navigate this crisis, through digital resources and through COVID-relief funding, including coronavirus grants for congregational emergencies. Therefore, in order to meet the needs of our congregations and communities, the synod has reallocated funds for continued disaster-relief aid and will need to considerably reduce expenses in certain areas that have been funded in the past.
Our priority continues to be the well-being and sustaining of our congregations and the communities they serve.
Mission Support dollars come back to congregations in the form of COVID-19 relief grants, services, programs, and digital resources, and this support is important now, more than ever, as the synod is dependent upon these dollars to continue offering this necessary aid to its congregations and communities during this time.
Each congregation is not independent, but rather part of a blessed network of mutual care and ministry with the other congregations in our synod, the ELCA, and the world.
So much of what we do as the Church, in all its expressions, depends on your generosity and thankful response to God’s blessings in your life, whether that be providing resources to our pastors to providing recreational activities for migrant children in detention centers, beginning new outreach ministries in our synod, and countless other efforts.
In short, the Church cannot carry out Christ’s call to serve and transform this world without you and your gifts. Nor would we want to. So, will you prayerfully consider your level of support in this community-wide effort?
The ways in which you help one another, and especially those in need, through acts of kindness, food contributions, volunteering, sharing of important information, donations, and the list goes on and on, is inspiring. I’m reminded daily that the light of God shines through, even in these challenging times, through all of you—God’s empathetic children.
We encourage and welcome the support of our congregations and individuals who value the Gospel work we are doing and want to assist those in need in these difficult times. Please continue to prayerfully consider contributing to the future of our Synod through Mission Support, for TOGETHER we are better able to serve.
I thank God for your support and for being in ministry with you.
To make a contribution to our mission, click HERE.
In Christ,
Bishop Egensteiner