2007 ANNUAL CONFERENCE SPECIAL OFFERING

East Africa Initiative
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A Note from the Bishop regarding the 2007 Special Offering

Greetings in the wonderful name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

In a spirit of enthusiasm I write to you concerning the 2007 South Georgia Annual Conference Special Offering, which will be designated for the East Africa Initiative.

The East Africa Initiative in 2007 will focus primarily on partnership coordination and specific areas of financial support to impact long term stability in the region. There are three areas of need that have been identified and will be our emphasis for funding through this offering:

East Africa Ministry of Transportation
There is a specific need for assistance with transportation as the newly elected Bishop Daniel Wandabula travels the five countries assigned to the East Africa Episcopacy: Kenya, Burundi, Tanzania, Uganda and Sudan. This vehicle will ensure safe, reliable transportation for South Georgia mission teams traveling in East Africa. The cost of a four wheel drive vehicle, gas, insurance and maintenance is estimated at $65,000 US dollars. Your generous support will make a difference.

Humble Place, Operating Capital
South Georgia has witnessed the transforming ministry of Humble Place in Uganda to children whose lives have been adversely affected by poverty, civil war, or disease such as AIDS. Our financial partnership will contribute to the continuing Operating Capital of the Humble Place School. The funds will allow the school to expand direct care services and provide tuition scholarships to increase the number of children served in 2008.

East Africa General Partnership
As South Georgia has worked to develop a partnership through our East Africa Initiative it has been a long term goal to build a stronger partnership between the East Africa Annual Conference and the South Georgia Annual Conference. These funds will be used to strengthen our partnership for the cause of Christ.

I appeal to every congregation to receive a special offering in a spirit of generosity and joy for this vital ministry. Each church is asked to bring its gift to our annual conference session in Savannah. All of these individual congregational gifts will be brought together in a single offering, and together we will have the privilege of making a significant difference in the East Africa Initiative. Our 2007 confirmands are leading the way for us. They have already generously donated their offerings to this ministry. I look forward to our celebrating and supporting what God is doing in East Africa and in other places around the world.

Grace and peace,

B. Michael Watson
Resident Bishop, The South Georgia Area
The United Methodist Church