THE CHURCH PERIODICAL CLUB functions at all levels of the Church - national, provincial, diocesan and parish. The goal is to make the CPC program a concern of the whole Church. That goal includes having an active and enthusiastic CPC representative in every parish and diocese.

CPC was founded in 1888 by Mary Ann Fargo, wife of a member of the Wells Fargo Express firm.  On a trip to the Dakotas with her husband, she learned of the great need on the frontiers for Bibles and other spiritual literature.  Mrs. Fargo and her friends the Church of the Holy Communion in New York sent their bundles of books and periodicals westward to missionaries and pioneers via stagecoach.  From this small beginning a great network of CPC has spread throughout the American Church.

Through the national giving programs, grants are allocated worldwide, based on contributions to two funds. The National Books Fund (NBF) helps meet religious and secular needs by providing printed and audio-visual materials to individuals, including seminary students, churches and organizations affiliated with the Anglican Communion. The need for materials to carry out the mission of the church must be established for all requests. Grant applications are processed after receiving the endorsement of the Episcopal Bishop of the diocese. Grants for the NBF are awarded twice a year.

Grants are also awarded through the Miles of Pennies (MOP) program which provides for the needs of children aged preschool through high school. This is geared for Sunday School and youth group projects, but adults may certainly add their coins to the collection. Requests may be made for books, workbooks, manuals, videos, CD's, Vacation Bible School and audio-visual materials. Grant applications are endorsed by any active CPC representative. Contributions to the Miles of Pennies can also be made. One mile of pennies equals $844.80 and grants are awarded up to that amount.

The First Sunday in May is designated as CPC Sunday.  Special prayers, a sermon on the ministry of the printed word, and a special collection for CPC may be given on this Sunday.   The funds collected in our diocese are divided, at the discretion of the Diocesan board, between the diocese and the national church for distribution as needed.  Hospitals, retirement homes, prison and juvenile facilities need books, magazines, Braille Bibles, and other materials.  The money buys printed material which, along with our prayers, helps to “open the hearts” of many through preaching, teaching and healing.

In 2006, $291.80 was given to each of the twelve seminarians from the Diocese of Alabama to assist them in the purchase of books and supplies.

Please mark your gift as CPC and send to the ECW, Diocese of Alabama, 521 North 20th Street, Birmingham, AL. 35203-2611.  A resource film is available.  CPC handouts and ordering forms are available from the National CPC website (http://churchperiodical.com/) ; by calling the National CPC office, 800-334-7626; or contacting the CPC Coordinator of our diocese.

The CPC Prayer:

Bless, O Lord, the Church Periodical Club

that it may be an instrument for the spread of your word throughout the world.

Grant to its officers wisdom and patience,

to its members perseverance  

and the sprit of sharing that asks no return.

Bring more to take part in

its mission and ministry.

Bless our gifts and  those who receive them,

to the enrichment of individual lives,

that we may all be servants of the risen Lord.

Amen