Peacemaking Offering on October 7, 2012

We live in a world filled with conflict and strife. Every level of society is affected. Each of us who follows Christ is called to be a peacemaker; it is a central declaration of the gospel.

The Peacemaking Offering is one of the four special offerings in the year of the Presbyterian Church. This offering gives us a concrete way to contribute locally and nationally to the work of peace. It is the offering that funds the Peacemaking Program for our denomination. Fifty per cent of the amount given is forwarded to the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program so that it can continue to provide assistance and resources for congregations and other bodies of the PC(USA). Twenty-five percent of the offering remains in our community to support local peacemaking efforts.

The local portion of the October 7, 2012, Peacemaking Offering will go to the Family Justice Center (FJC) in Erie County. The FJC provides free, one-stop services to victims of violence and their families. There are 13 on-site partners, ranging from doctors to police and sheriff’s officials to attorneys, crisis counselors and translators. The aim is to put an end to the barriers that keep domestic violence victims from seeking help.

You can help sustain the important local and national ministries and programs that are supported by the Peacemaking Offering with your gift.

The Mission Committee will be hosting a tour of the FJC on Sunday, September 23, after the second service. Lunch will be provided, after which we will carpool to the FJC in downtown Buffalo. We will need to how many people wish to attend, so there will be signups after the services on September 16. You may also sign up online.