November 2012 - The Diocese of Manchester

ZZZ M(a)-CRUX.NOV.12_z/CRUX.M/APR.05 23/10/2012 16:13 Page 1212 November 2012AIMING FOR 100 MILLIONThe Big ShoeboxchallengeSAMARITAN’S Purse is calling on churches,schools and workplaces to help achieve aremarkable milestone - delivering the 100 millionthgift-filled shoebox to a child during thisyear’s Operation Christmas Child campaign.Last year churches across Greater Manchestercontributed to the 1.1 million gift-filled shoeboxesthat were shipped from the UK to children in poorparts of the world. Many see Operation ChristmasChild as a way of demonstrating God’s love in atangible way to needy children and sharing theGood News of Jesus Christ.Over the past 22 years, Operation ChristmasChild has delivered 94 million shoeboxes toneedy children in more than 100 countries.Simon Barrington from Samaritan’s Pursesaid, “We’re asking everyone across the UK tohelp us reach 100 million shoeboxes. It’s greatway to celebrate Christmas - showing children,most of whom live in the most difficult circumstances,that God loves them and cares for themand that He’s not forgotten them.”Visit www.operationchristmaschild.org.uk forall the relevant details.Stewardship : Making the linkA RECENT survey has led to attention beingfocused on how charities spend their money.The Charity Commission has come underpressure to respond to cases of some charitiesspending as little as 16p of every £1 given,the rest being absorbed in costs.In one case, of £221,000 total outgoings,£35,000 went to the charitable cause whilefundraisers received more than £84,000 incommission! An overwhelming number ofpeople surveyed wanted charities to be moreopen about how they spend public donations.While there are a number of charities thatgo to great lengths to do this, churches have anopportunity to lead the way in being clearabout how they communicate.In my role, I get to see many differentapproaches this. My experience has been that,in general, churches who work hard to ensurethey are using their income as well as possibletend to pay less attention to communication.It’s somehow assumed that money given tothe church will just be used for appropriatepurposes. However, this strikes me as a missedopportunity because it embraces the principleof linking mission with ministry, which is atthe heart of stewardship.Although the annual review is one way inwhich many churches provide this sort ofinformation, there are a vast number of otherimaginative options that can be used throughoutthe year.You are welcome to contact me for furtherdetails on 0161 828 1474.JAMES EMMERSONDiocesan Stewardship Officer