Dear Friends in Christ:
Just a year ago I wrote to you with the first direct request for your support in my fifteen years as your bishop. I remain grateful that in making that decision it was to be for something entirely outside the institutional life of the diocese; entirely for others. Your response was characteristically generous and, as far as we can account, the response was about $70,000 contributed to our Companions in Jubilee effort. Thank you! Much has happened in the past year. The awful events of this past September 11th continue to effect us and all the world and their ramifications continue to unfold. The economy is faltering, unemployment is rising, fear abounds and the notion of justice, whatever each of us may perceive that to be, continues to be elusive. As difficult as these things may be for us Americans, they are more difficult for others around the globe who have experienced the same things but who started at a much lower level of economic and personal security than we did. The top is not where it was but we are still at it. The Companions in Jubilee program was conceived to be of assistance to those farthest from the top, those who need help the most. To date the people of the Diocese of New Hampshire have contributed a total of nearly $160,000 to this effort and a response similar to last year's Thanksgiving/Christmas appeal will put us within range of a quarter of a million dollars, the remainder of which could well be raised by congregations who have indicated their intent to continue their own local efforts beyond the two-year diocesan effort which drasw to a close with this second appeal. As stated last year: NONE of the money raised will support the diocese, the national church or any church operating expenses. NONE of the money raised will be channeled through any government programs either here or abroad. NONE of the money will support the operation or maintenance of institutions. ALL of the money will go directly to people in need. ALL of the money will go to families and individuals to assist them in attaining economic self-sufficiency through micro-enterprise; locally developed small businesses and 'cottage industries'. ALL of the money will be channeled through local intermediaries with established track records. Thank you for allowing me to approach you about this for this last time. I am grateful, as my ministry among you enters its final phase, to have this focus on life beyond ourselves. May we continue in gratitude for God's enormous and on-going blessings in our lives.
Your brother in Christ,
Douglas Theuner |