Each year at Annual Conference, offerings are collected from those who attend. St. Andrew’s has traditionally contributed to each of the three offerings taken. This year, the offerings will be directed to the Mozambique Initiative, Pathway Out of Poverty, and Rural Missouri Connection.
In the past, we have collected noisy offerings to contribute at Annual Conference. This is much more difficult since we can’t meet to collect your pocket change. Instead, we are asking that you contribute a small offering above your normal tithe, and the amount is up to you. Any amount we receive through our text-to-give option during the first two weeks of May will be used for these offerings unless you specific another purpose. You can text GiveStAndrewsUMC to 73256 to give.
Education is one of the three main issue areas for Mozambique Initiative (MI). In the far northeast of the country, a mud-built school sustained significant damage from Cyclone Kenneth in 2019. Fearing the roof might collapse and harm children, local leaders have identified a new, donated piece of land and are asking for our help to build three classrooms and an administrative office. Once the school is completed, the Mozambican government will pay the teachers’ salaries. By partnering with local leadership, a gift to this offering will help complete the project and ensure better access to education.
The Pathway Out of Poverty initiative dreams of supporting students in Missouri with resources for increased literacy and school success. Studies have shown that access to books at home increases the likelihood that a student will read and will love reading in the future. Specifically, we want to connect 100,000 children with 100,000 books. Contributing financially helps provide resources for local church initiatives as we seek to make a transformative difference in lives of children across our state.
Over 90 percent of Missouri land is considered rural (2000 Census), but only 30.6% of the population lives in those areas. This reality presents a unique set of challenges, particularly around issues of poverty and access. In 2019, the Conference began to research best practices for rural ministries that will build collaboration among churches and communities to promote different aspects of well-being. Through the Rural Missouri Connection, the Conference aims to equip churches in addressing poverty concerns which may include, but are not limited to, healthcare access, mental and social
health, food and nutrition, transportation, and technology. Your gift toward this initiative will help resource local churches in rural communities address their unique ministry needs.