Extra Commitment Opportunities

There is a channel through which gifts can be designated for specific items that support the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)'s work around the world. These are called Extra Commitment Opportunities (ECOs). You can give directly to an ECO account online or by mailing your check designating the name and account number of the particular item you have chosen to:

PC(USA) Individual Remittance Processing
P.O. Box 643700
Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700

Your gift will go directly into the ECO Account designated, and you will receive a letter indicating that your gift has been received and will be used for the purpose intended.

Below are some ECOs related to Iraq. For a complete listing visit Mission Funding's Web site and type Iraq into the search box.

Children/Youth

The Palestine Children's Relief Fund

The Palestine Children's Relief Fund (PCRF) is a non-political, non-profit American relief group established in 1991 to address the extraordinary medical and humanitarian crisis facing Palestinian youth in the Middle East. Since then, it has expanded in order to help suffering children from other Middle Eastern countries. PCRF helps locate cost-free medical care and treatment for children who are unable to obtain the necessary and specialized treatment in their home country. In Iraq the PCRF works with local NGOs, U.S. military personnel and the Iraqi Ministry of Health to identify children who were either injured in the current conflict or who were born with medical disorders that cannot be treated in country.

Church Development/Redevelopment

Iraq: The Peace Fund for Solidarity with the Churches

The dimensions of disruption, displacement and damage to the spiritual and programmatic life of the churches of Iraq as a result of the 2003 war may never be known. Combined with the devastation from 12 years of economic sanctions and two previous wars while enduring a long and brutally oppressive regime, life in Iraq, including church life, has suffered untold damage. American Presbyterians have had a long love for, and a relationship with, mission and ministry with the people of Iraq, especially the Christians and Iraqi Presbyterians in particular. As "next of kin," PC(USA) has an opportunity to demonstrate genuine partnership with Iraqi Christians as they work — over many years — to rise from the rubble and ashes. This fund is intended to offer a positive witness affirming the power of resurrection and hope. It is intended to help Presbyterians in the United States to share in the struggle of Iraqi Christians to make a new start. The needs will include new pastoral and lay leadership development; Sunday school curriculum, teachers and youth workers; assistance and training for doctors, nurses, community health workers, counselors and therapists; development work among women and children, especially those widowed/orphaned by the wars; and new church development as well as facility restoration.

Evangelism

Kurdish Outreach (PFF)

Kurds live throughout Turkey, Iran, Syria and Iraq.  Europe has many Kurdish immigrants, however, with, for example, 500,000 in Germany alone.  Presbyterians have a long history of witness and service among the Kurds.

Mission Personnel

Nuhad Tomeh serves with the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) and as the PC(USA) regional liaison with Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, and the Gulf. As an associate general secretary of the MECC, he is in charge of the Iraq relief and rehabilitation program, which is part of the ecumenical relief services of the MECC.

Other Support

Regional Liaison for Syria, Lebanon and Iraq — Expenses

Funds will be used for operating expenses, travel and administrative expenses for the work of regional liaisons in helping implement agreed-upon programs with partner churches and institutions; supporting PC(USA) congregations and presbyteries in direct mission involvement with partners; and giving practical, pastoral and culture/language transition support to other PC(USA) mission personnel serving in the region.