50 Ways to Encourage Global Mission
Simple tips and fun projects for all ages
Article was
added to FaithandValues.com in July 2004.
Inspire your congregation to explore global mission, or to embark on a new
global mission project.
1.
Give participants three minutes to complete the sentence, “Mission is
_________________________.”
2. Order and display a map of the world.
3. Place a large mirror in the fellowship hall with "missionary"
printed at the top.
4. At potluck suppers, encourage international foods, especially from countries
that some parishioners call home. Learn folk dances from other countries.
5. Look for stories about mission projects and post them or distribute them.
Stories can be found at www.globalministries.org/missionaries/resources.htm
6. Invite an international student, seminarian, or visitor to talk with the
group; encourage dialogue and learning.
7. Get names and addresses of missionaries who are serving in countries that
interest you, and write to them. Check the Global Ministries web site for Mission
Personnel Directory at www.globalministries.org.
8. Make sure your church has a budget line for mission.
9. Have a commissioning ceremony for those about to embark on a special mission
project.
10. Prepare for the annual OGHS/WOC offering by going to their web sites at www.ucc.org/oghs
and www.weekofcompassion.org/
11. Display photos and letters of missionaries your congregation and/or
conference/region is supporting.
12. Use wall calendars that have a global theme.
13. Create a small display on a bulletin board called "Did You Know?"
using the placemap of the world which shows where our mission work is located.*
14. Sing a hymn or anthem in a language other than English. Tell a story about
the church's work in the world where that language is spoken. Check the Global
Ministries web site for hymn suggestions at www.globalministries.org/involvement/hymns.pdf
15. Organize learning centers representing regions of the world. Use flags,
pictures, a map, prayers, articles, songs, art, jewelry and crafts.
16. Arrange a telephone call with a missionary in the field during a
congregational meeting. Contact the office of Missionary Relationships at
317-713-2570.
17. Display a large Peters Projection map of the world, or a globe, in a
prominent location. Information on the Peters Projection map can be found at www.petersmap.com
18. Use bookmarks offered by Global Ministries in hymnals and prayer books in
the pew -- or design your own.*
19. Plan several mission offerings yearly, especially around those times in the
liturgical calendar with a mission focus. Be sure the congregation is involved
in choosing mission personnel or projects to be supported.
20. Observe World Communion Sunday on October 3, 2004. Order Breads Around the
World resources for global bread recipes and liturgies.*
21. Ask every family to subscribe to Global Ministries News.*
22. Call and get a Global Ministries resource order form and use these
resources for adults, children and youth.*
23. Reprint missionary letters in your parish newsletter; ask for a regular
column in your congregation’s newsletter, too. Missionary letters are available
on-line at <www.globalministries.org/missionaries/resources.htm>
24. Use pottery and baskets from other countries in place of your usual
communion and offering plates.
25. Collect mission offerings at every meal.
26. Help the children get involved in mission by planning a study program.
27. Use a variety of breads from around the world for communion. Order Breads
Around the World resources for global bread recipes and liturgies.*
28. Host "Mission Evenings" and invite missionaries who have returned
or retired, to tell their story. Contact the Office of Missionary Relationships
at 317-713-2570 to arrange a visit from a missionary.
29. Ask everyone in the congregation to place money in a plastic pill container
and bring it to worship as an offering for a medical mission project.
30. When you read of a disaster in any part of the world, pray for those who
are suffering, and find out how you can help. Through the UCC and Disciples,
Church World Service is organized to send money, food, blankets, medicines, and
many other sources of relief.
31. Have a "Minute for Mission" during worship weekly. Plan ahead;
have a committee of volunteers gathering stories and prayer requests so that
this time is focused and effective.Check for mission stories on our website at
<www.globalministries.org/missionaries/resources>
32. Prepare or participate in ecumenical worship services for World Communion
Sunday, World Day of Prayer, or Week of Compassion and One Great Hour of
Sharing. Local or regional councils of churches, Church Women United (http://www.churchwomen.org/),
and Church World Service (http://www.churchworldservice.org/)
can help you with materials.
33. Organize a study of missionary saints, using the book Lesser Feasts and
Fasts, and bring this teaching into the worship on the appropriate days (for
example, Uganda Martyrs on June 3).
34. If your Conference/Region has a partner relationship with a church or
missionary elsewhere in the world, write and exchange information, pictures,
prayers, and worship bulletins. Look for links that will make this interesting
to all. For more information on partnerships, go to <www.globalministries.org/resources/partner.htm>
35. Use poems or prayers from around the world in worship. International
Resources for Worship bibliography is located on the web at: <www.globalministries.org/missionaries/biblio.htm>
36. Regularly include missionaries, as well as the churches highlighted in the
UCC Calendar of Prayer (www.ucc.org/worship/calendar)
37. Order a set of flags from the United Nations, hand them out, and ask people
to find out enough about the country (and its church, if there is one) so that
the rest of the congregation can pray effectively.
38. Have a prayer service of lighting candles, one for certain countries in the
world. Note how the world, like the room, is made brighter by our care for each
other.
39. Show a mission video such as “God’s Surprise”. Contact wcm@ucc.org or
dom@disicples.org to order.
40. Use mission hymns frequently. A list of global hymns is located on the web
at: www.globalministries.org/involvement/hymns.pdf
41. Distribute prayer baskets with names of mission churches (a complete list
may be found on line at www.globalministries.org/involvement/mrgmp.htm)
42. Ask each worshipper to take one name and pray for that church during the
coming week.
43. Compare artistic depictions of Jesus from around the world.
44. Survey your congregation to find out members' country of origin, or other
links. Invite them to share memories, customs, and foods.
45. Support the Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East.
46. Have a "Stone Soup" supper or "Loaves and Fishes" meal
where everyone contributes an item to a plain broth or brings a loaf of bread
to share. Ask for donations that will be sent to Relief and Development to
relieve hunger in the world. A list of Special Giving Projects can be requested
by calling 317-713-2558.
47. Promote international pen pal experiences for children and youth in the
congregation.
48. Send a special offering on line to the OGHS/WOC Emergencies Fund for lay
workers and clergy throughout the world at www.ucc.org/oghs or www.weekofcompassion.org/.
49. Look at all your books and then decide how to support mission organizations
dedicated to sending books to churches and seminaries and children's libraries
that need them.
50. Communicate electronically with others around the world.
* To order these materials, call toll-free, 866-822-8224 ext. 3209.