In many cultural contexts, and particularly in Africa, the offering is as important as the sermon, as a meaningful part of worship.  

The pastor often asks one of the ushers to pray, to bless the givers, and also that those who are not giving may be blessed to give. Often someone will give a testimony and Scripture on the theme of giving, as part of the offering.  

Sometimes helpers will take baskets around, and at other times members are all encouraged to come up to the front to put their offering into a basket at the front. In many places the people sing and dance while giving their offering at the front, because giving something as an act of worship elicits much joy.  

MWC invites a special offering to be taken for the global Anabaptist church community on Anabaptist World Fellowship Sunday. One way to think about this offering is to invite every member to contribute the value of one lunch in their own community to support the networks and resources of our global Anabaptist church family. Sacrificing one lunch is our humble way of giving thanks to God and supporting the on-going ministry of God through the church. 

This gift of “one lunch” (the value within one’s own country) per person, once a year, is something that most MWC members can do, except in times of famine or violence. People who have more resources can give much more than this, and could be encouraged to do so. Others with more scarce resources could consider giving the monetary value of one item that they would normally include in a meal.  

Here are some ideas on how to plan for a special MWC offering in your congregation.  

1. Plan for One Lunch offerings to be put into a special basket at the front or in culturally appropriate lunch bags/containers during the worship service as a separate offering from the normal offering. 
2. Plan for a shared congregational meal together before or after worship on Anabaptist World Fellowship Sunday.  This could be “potluck”, with each family bringing dishes of food to share, with an offering basket for MWC to “pay” for the meal.  This could be auctioning off or selling a prepared packed lunch brought by families to the church. These packed lunches are then available for auction or for purchase or donation by anyone to take home, or to eat together after worship.  
3. Plan for a time of shared fasting and prayer for the global church during a mealtime before or after worship on Anabaptist World Fellowship Sunday. Include an offering for MWC during that time. This offering would approximate the value of the meal that is not being eaten by the participants in the fast. 

Funds that are gathered through this special offering in each congregation can be sent directly to Mennonite World Conference using the various mechanisms shown on our website (mwc-cmm.org/donate).  

Or, these funds can be sent to your national church office with a request to pass the funds on to MWC. Clearly mark the offering as designated for Mennonite World Conference and indicate it is an Anabaptist World Fellowship Sunday offering.