APC Worldwide
Mission Involvement
Worldwide mission is very much a part of Auburn Presbyterian Church. We are highly involved in outreach and aid to Burma. We sponsor the Billion People Praying for Burma campaign and the Hope for Burma website. We provide support to one of our members, Grace Michel, who is now serving in Peru. We also provide financial support to missionaries to the Kurds and others through the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
General Mission Support
Auburn Presbyterian Church within the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is what is called a Unified Giving Church. We give 10% of all general fund offerings specifically to the mission general fund. Out of this, all missionaries that are sent out are supported to a greater or lesser extent. We are given the privilege, then, of choosing any of the PCUSA missionaries as a missionary with whom we develop special ties. There is a couple ministering to the Kurds in Germany who are our missionaries of record. We correspond via e-mail, receive their newsletter, pray for them every Sunday, and welcome them every several years to hear an update of their ministry.
Special Offerings
The worldwide mission team also leads the taking of the four special offerings taken by churches of The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) each year. The Peacemaking offering (First Sunday in October – World Communion Sunday) supports peacemaking locally and around the world. The Christmas Joy offering (the Sunday before Christmas) helps retired ministers and missionaries in times of need and supports certain Presbyterian colleges. The One Great Hour of Sharing offering (on Palm Sunday) supports the Presbyterian Disaster Relief, Presbyterian Hunger Program, and Self Development of People (helps with small business grants so people can earn a living on their own). The Pentecost Offering (on Pentecost Sunday 7 weeks after Easter) helps fund ministry to youth at risk.