Episcopal Press and News
Church Army Wins Funding, Recruit
Episcopal News Service. October 9, 1986 [86220]
NEW YORK (DPS, Oct. 9) -- For more than a century, the Church Army has been rich in evangelistic zeal and enthusiasm, and now the organization is also richer in dollars, thanks to a Church-wide appeal for funds endorsed earlier this year by Presiding Bishop Edmond L. Browning.
Meeting here Sept. 22-23, the Church Army's board heard president Betty Connelly of Newport Beach, Calif., report that more than $11,000 has been received in response to an appeal letter sent to church leaders by Browning. Funds are still being received. More are being sought.
"We feel it is an excellent response to Browning's appeal, particularly since we are still in the process of renewing our structure and establishing once again the Church Army as a major force for evangelism in the Episcopal Church," said Connelly. "We appreciate the support of the Presiding Bishop and feel the response to the appeal indicates good support from the Church's membership as well."
A further sign of revitalization in the Army came just a week later, when Browning presided at the Commissioning of George Kirnon, first new officer in the Army in nearly a decade. Kirnon will serve as a street evangelist at St. Andrew's Church, Harlem. Asked what drew him to the Army, Kirnon said he had studied at lay institutes for years then, "one day, one of the Army directors came and made such a fiery speech that she almost carried all of us away." In that fashion, Army development officer Valerie Hillsdon-Hutton won the first new recruit.
The board also acknowledged a $1,000 gift from the Special Outreach Fund of the Church of St. John the Divine, Houston, Texas. An accompanying letter said, "We fully support the work and philosophy of the Church Army and wish you well as you revitalize the organization." The gift will be used to supplement the Army's evangelist training fund.
The Church Army is the Episcopal Church's participation in the international evangelistic organization by that name which serves several provinces of the Anglican Communion. The Rev. George Pierce, Glenwood Springs, Colo., is national director. Bishop Victor Rivera of the Diocese of San Joaquin chairs the Bishops' Advisory Committee.