The three-year Bishops' Appeal begins with the 1998 Lenten season of sacrifice, reflection, and celebration and ends at General Conference 2000. The Bishops have asked each congregation to participate in the appeal by taking a special Lenten offering to help launch the church's response. Another church wide offering will be requested during Advent 1998. A detailed time line for events, programs, and projects to undergird the appeal will be provided. The Challenge and Top the Opportunity for United Methodists Today Through the Church we proclaim the good news by seeking justice, relief, and the restoration of life in wholeness and abundance for all God's children.
Children participate in a church service.
Our witness in these chaotic times for so many nations of sub-Saharan Africa acknowledges and affirms the connection between spiritual issues and everyday economic issues and acknowledges and affirms the need to rebuild the churches and institutions and their ministries. Children are an integral part of the church and their spiritual development cannot be ignored. It is through restoration of church facilities and spiritual ministries that we provide a framework within which we can equip children to respond to God's call. Resources will include Bible study programs and materials for children, faith enrichment resources, peace education, alleviation of ethnic tensions, conflict resolution, children's books, and special programs for street children and children traumatized by war. Education promotes empowerment and possibility and enables children to attain the knowledge they need to fulfill God's purpose in their lives.