Episcopal Press and News
Mission for Children Reconsidered
Episcopal News Service. November 3, 1988 [88237]
NEW YORK (DPS, Nov. 3) -- The Rev. Howard Williams, newly appointed coordinator of Children's Ministries in the Education for Mission and Ministry unit of the Episcopal Church Center, has announced a major change in one of the Church's oldest programs -- the Church School Missionary Offering (CSMO).
The Church School Missionary Offering was born in the late 19th century when an Episcopal Sunday School superintendent began the first Lenten Offering for missions. By the 1920s, the offering had grown to the extent that it provided one out of every six dollars given for mission in the Episcopal Church, according to The Spirit of Mission (a precursor to The Episcopalian). During the 1930s, the education materials for the offering began by focusing on mission in general. However, the focus began to narrow in 1937, moving in on one particular group or race. In 1955, the offering became known as the "Church School Missionary Offering," and was seen as a program having educational and inspirational value for children.
Beginning in the spring of 1989, the Church School Missionary Offering program will embody a new, comprehensive mission education plan. Williams, working with a committee of representatives from the Presiding Bishop's Fund for World Relief, National Mission, World Mission, Stewardship, and Education units, will develop a strategy that builds and grounds CSMO's mission education component, emphasizing how children can be helped to understand the total mission of the Church as they live out the promise of their baptismal vows -- "to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ."
The CSMO materials that will be made available in the spring will represent the creative collaboration of Episcopalians with their ecumenical partners. It is hoped that materials from the Friendship Press, the publishing arm of the National Council of Churches, will be among the resources offered for the new CSMO program. Friendship Press produces annual mission education materials based on both a geographical and a general theme. Themes through 1992 have been announced: South Africa/Faces of Poverty in Our Midst (1988-89); The Philippines/The World of Islam (1989-90); Central America/Gospel Visions through Cultural Eyes (1990-91); and Japan/Changing Values in North America (1991-92).
Until the new CSMO plan is made available to the Church, educators are encouraged to evaluate their resources locally and assess what further tools they will need in helping children to become involved in the mission of Church. As Williams has stressed, "The Church School Missionary Offering intends to help free our children for mission."
In addition to likely adoption of the Friendship Press mission resources, Williams also anticipates offering a variety of other resources for CSMO -- including those which will be created and developed by diocesan staff and parish education leaders locally.