December 16th, 2016
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
We want to wish you and your family a Merry Christmas!
What a beautiful time of the year - one of reflection, gratitude, and charity. A time where families and communities come together, inspired by the birth of our Lord, to help those who are in need. When this spiritual synergy forms, we realize what it means to act as a community of Christ-centered Orthodox Christians. In fact, Matthew chapter 25 contains a profound passage concerning the separation of the sheep from the goats. As our Lord judges and welcomes His sheep into His Kingdom, He explains to them exactly how they became His sheep:
"I was hungry and you gave me food."
"I was thirsty and you gave me drink."
"I was a stranger and you took me in."
"I was naked and you clothed me."
"I was sick and you visited me."
"I was in prison and you came to me."
In this passage, Christ explains when we do these things we are actually doing it to Him. Moreover, when we, as Orthodox Christians, flock together under Christ, our Chief Shepherd, we see the good that it brings. Many of us already take an active role in fulfilling these requirements to becoming one of His sheep. However, there are some things we simply cannot do ourselves. In fact, it is unlikely we would be allowed to visit inside a prison. But we can certainly help by supporting those clergy and lay volunteers who can.
We seek to offer you the opportunity to reach out with Christ's love to those in prison by joining the Matthew 25:36 Fellowship, especially in this season of giving and reflection. Your Fellowship supports Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry (OCPM) in providing training to clergy and lay volunteers who are able to visit those in prison. It will provide Icons, Study Bibles, Prayer Books, Correspondence Courses, and Devotional Materials for prisoners as well as DVD's and OCPM books for prison chapel libraries. When you join the Matthew 25:36 Fellowship, you will be answering the mandate of our Lord to visit Him in prison!
Those who want to join the Matthew 25:36 Fellowship will agree to donate $25.36 a month (or if you prefer, a one-time yearly payment of $304.32) to OCPM through credit card, bank account, or check. You can join our campaign as an individual, a family, an organization, or even a parish. Our goal is to have 1000 members whose charity will go far in providing the means to visit those in the darkness of a cell.
To become a member of the Matthew 25:36 Fellowship, please click the following link:
We thank you in advance for your consideration & support this Christmas. God Bless You!
In anticipation for our Lord's Holy Nativity:
Christ is Born! Glorify Him!
The Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry Team |