HeatherJay
17th January 2005, 02:13 AM
Just wondering if it's a big deal in your respective churches? Our church is middle of the road...people are happy to give, but most don't know a whole lot about what they're giving to or why (even though we have special mission services to try to educate people about NMI :sigh: ). The little kids just like to fill up their money boxes and put them in the big box. :pink:
I didn't know the signifigance or symbolism behind Alabaster until tonight (my hubby did the missions service on it). I knew what the money went for and stuff, but not why we call it Alabaster or how it began. Anyway, it's a truly worthy cause. :thumbsup:
As an interesting aside, Elizabeth Roby (later to become Rev. Elizabeth Roby Vennum) was born in my hometown...at least, this is what I was told by one of the older ladies at church tonight. Hehe...we have a whole Roby clan around these parts, so I believe it. ;)
Here's a short history in case anyone is interested :
The History of Alabaster
http://www.nazarenemissions.org/images/photo_vennum.jpg
Following World War II, the critical need for buildings and land in the world mission areas of the Church of the Nazarene was presented to the General NMI Council. The Council asked Rev. Elizabeth Roby Vennum, a member of the group, to submit a plan that would generate giving for this need.
Rev. Vennum knew if God wanted those buildings, He would provide the plan. On the return trip from Kansas City, God gave her His plan of giving "love" gifts. It was modeled after the sacrifice of the woman who anointed Jesus' feet with expensive perfume poured from an alabaster jar (Matthew 26:6-13).
The General NMI Council unanimously adopted the plan, and the first offering was received in 1949. Now, more than 50 years later, more than 5,700 projects have been purchased or built with more than $59 million.
I didn't know the signifigance or symbolism behind Alabaster until tonight (my hubby did the missions service on it). I knew what the money went for and stuff, but not why we call it Alabaster or how it began. Anyway, it's a truly worthy cause. :thumbsup:
As an interesting aside, Elizabeth Roby (later to become Rev. Elizabeth Roby Vennum) was born in my hometown...at least, this is what I was told by one of the older ladies at church tonight. Hehe...we have a whole Roby clan around these parts, so I believe it. ;)
Here's a short history in case anyone is interested :
The History of Alabaster
http://www.nazarenemissions.org/images/photo_vennum.jpg
Following World War II, the critical need for buildings and land in the world mission areas of the Church of the Nazarene was presented to the General NMI Council. The Council asked Rev. Elizabeth Roby Vennum, a member of the group, to submit a plan that would generate giving for this need.
Rev. Vennum knew if God wanted those buildings, He would provide the plan. On the return trip from Kansas City, God gave her His plan of giving "love" gifts. It was modeled after the sacrifice of the woman who anointed Jesus' feet with expensive perfume poured from an alabaster jar (Matthew 26:6-13).
The General NMI Council unanimously adopted the plan, and the first offering was received in 1949. Now, more than 50 years later, more than 5,700 projects have been purchased or built with more than $59 million.