Have you read a book, a newspaper, a Bible, a prayer book, a magazine, a bill? Have you used a Kindle, CD, or DVD? Do you look up things on your computer or ask Google a question?

How fortunate you are, as many have limited or no access to these written words.



How about providing Bibles to Bible students? What about providing books for children coming to a food pantry? Children coming to a Peace Camp? Prayer books for campus ministry? Recovery (addiction help) for those in prison? The list continues.

Church Periodical Club (CPC) has funded those activities.



We are all familiar with the biblical quote “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit” 1 Cor. 12:4. Church Periodical Club (CPC) is one of many ministries that seek to serve Christ in the world. We provide the written word that allows us to study, understand, communicate and, yes, have dreams.



The CPC has been a ministry in the Episcopal Church since 1888. The club was formed to send church periodicals—magazines and printed tracts as well as prayer books and Bibles via the Wells Fargo stagecoach line to western settlers. It was the support of Episcopal Church Women who assisted in CPC growth. CPC continues this relationship. In 1922, CPC started grants for adult materials needed by individuals, churches and organizations affiliated with the Anglican Communion, now known as National Book Fund (NBF). Seminarian grants were also started. Money is sent to Episcopal seminaries for each seminary to distribute. Currently 10 seminaries receive an amount that is dependent on the money collected in the previous year. Presiding Bishop Curry received a grant in 1974.



The need was seen that children and youth should have a separate fund, and Miles of Pennies began in 1989. Grants are up to $844.80, which is the number of pennies to make a mile. These grants are considered year-round.



One ministry has expanded and changed from printed periodicals on a stagecoach to the written word through all media, from books to Kindles, from CDs to DVDs sent throughout the Episcopal Church and Anglican Communion. This ministry exists and continues only with the support of you, your congregation and your diocese. CPC does not receive money from the Episcopal Church budget. Join us as we bring light into the world through the written word. Our website is under revision, but there is plenty of information there.



(Reprinted from the Summer 2020 edition of the Communique, the newsletter of the national ECW)