Episcopal Diocese of Albany

Business Office: 68 South Swan Street - Albany, NY 12210 - (518) 465-4737
Christ the King Spiritual Life Center: 575 Burton Road - Greenwich, NY 12834 - (518) 692-9550

Activating Your Parish Missions – local to the ends of the earth!
A Message from members of the Episcopal Diocese of Albany Mission Board

1. What’s First – Who’s your Champion?

a. Revitalizing a project or starting a new one requires a point person, someone who really cares about the mission, a person who wants to be the leader.

b. Get the clergy on board; gather support from the top for your mission

2. Next Step – Gather some friends – others who also believe in missions or outreach. Successful missions need lots of support and all kinds of support.

a. Establish a committee and name it.

b. Does an already established group exist? Do you need to start a new group?

c. Brainstorm with a small (3-5) group and seek input from the clergy.

3. Discover your purpose; find your mission; ask everyone around “We want to witness as Jesus told us.”

a. Understand your limitations but reach for the stars.

b. Where does the interest lay?

1. Is there a local need? Is this a new idea?

2. Has the plight of people far away touched your heart?

c. What are your possibilities?

1. Is this a mission that you will support with money and supplies?

2. Or do you have an ache to go and be a witness on the ground?

3. Do you want to have Youth involved? This will effect you choices.

4. As a beginning, would you want to join with another church?

d. Pray on it.

4. Do some research. What resources are available?

a. Contact someone from the Mission Board.

b. Ask your clergy for suggestions.

c. Check out the Diocese Website and other missions websites.

d. Plan a small event and invite a guest speaker.

e. Perhaps you know what you want to do but need support and/or advise.

1. Put your goals and objectives down on paper.

2. Locate someone experienced in the direction you wish to do.

f. Resources:

1. Attend the Annual Missions Conference

2. Go to the Diocese Convention Seminars to meet folks who can help.

5. Getting others involved.

a. Write an article for your parish newsletter

b. Hold an open meeting after services on Sunday to outline your mission.

c. Hold a Mission Sunday – ask for donations for your mission

Perhaps you don’t even need to ask for money. Perhaps your mission to help the city homeless shelter needs tooth brushes and tooth paste or you want to send school supplies to a needy school or you want to send medical supplies to a far-away land.

d. Create a Bulletin Board where you can post information about missionaries, and mission trips.

6. Don’t forget that the financial issues will color your decisions.

a. Can your parish budget support an on-going project? Such as supporting a missionary or annual participation in a Mission Trip.

b. Are there members of your parish who can help support a mission.

c. It is best to start small and grow your mission.

d. Make a plan for some annual events…potluck suppers, speakers, special sales of items, a fund raiser, special walk, booth at the Christmas Fair, Posters, etc..

e. Be diligent in making sure that there is informational materials posted, and available.

f. And talk about your mission where ever you go.

Contact any member of the Mission Board – we would love to help you.

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