EPIPHANY: A Season of Global Awareness

Happy New Year!

Please remember the children of Papau New Guinea and Far East Russia…

The Central State Synod encourages us to celebrate Epiphany as a Season of Global Awareness…a time to nurture our relationships with our Companion Synods.

The main focus of our companion Synod Relationships is not financial. The word used to describe our working together is “Accompaniment.” The most important thing is to develop relationships between people from the Central States Synod and our Companion Synods overseas through visits both ways, through working together and through correspondence. With this is mind, the primary need is for funds to enable people to travel to visit our Companion Synods and to bring people from our Companion Synods to visit us.

If you would like to make a donation to fund scholarships for future visits please make contributions to the Companion Synod Visitation Fund.

The 8 congregations of ELCROS – Russian Far East require outside support for facilities, staff and program expenses. If you are interested in sending funds to one of these congregations you may contact Jackie Volbrecht for guidance on which congregations need the support.

PRAYER REQUESTS

*For the hungry, the unemployed and those that suffer with addictions

*For those who are in power, that they maintain awareness of the needs of the people

*For all who have suffered and are in despair and have lost their hope and faith

*For overall leadership of the churches in the Far East Russia: Bishop Kruse and Dean Manfred Brockmann

*For development of leaders and pastors for the various congregations

*For all those that serve in the congregations of the Far East

*That the church in the Far East of Russia will continue to serve as a beacon of light as it proclaims the gospel of Jesus Christ and brings hope and salvation to those that hear it.

RESOLUTION FROM 2007 ASSEMBLY

The Central States Synod designated the Epiphany Season as a season of global awareness. During the Epiphany Season, congregations are encouraged to designate Global Mission/Companion synod Sundays.

Blessings to you all

Jackie Volbrecht
Area 5 Companion Synod Team Representative