March 4, 2019
Two weeks ago I made an announcement that four private donors had offered to “match every donation that comes in over the next four weeks, up to $3,000.” As of this morning, ten donors have given $1,102, putting us more than one third of the way toward our goal.
And you might be wondering, “What happens with that money?”
I’m glad you asked!
Of the thousands of copies of Illuminate Bible study guides and Fruit of the Vine devotional readers we print each year, many go to small Friends churches, monthly meetings, or worship groups with extremely tight budgets. We have extended credit and occasionally provide materials for free in order to support the work of Friends in those communities.
We publish at least two titles each year that are important for Friends as a resource and that wouldn’t generate enough sales to earn the interest of other Christian publishers. In addition, we have gone to great lengths to keep older titles in print or to bring them back into print when no other equivalent work is available. Some of these books do eventually pay for themselves, but the up-front investment is significant.
Because the Christian Education Commission was laid down, we no longer receive financial support from EFC-NA, but Barclay Press continues to provide at-cost, short-run print services, web development, communications support, and in-house design for a number of Quaker organizations and Friends churches. In 2017 and 2018, we also provided closed-captioning for two video projects and nearly a dozen training sessions for churches looking to improve their communications systems.
What it comes down to is that we’re better together. This is why we pool our resources of skills, energy, time, and money. The little bit I offer goes farther and accomplishes more when it’s added to the little bit that you bring.
Eric Muhr
P.S. If you can join in supporting the continuing work of Barclay Press and would like to see your donated dollars doubled, now is the time to make a one-time or monthly donation. Just click on DONATE at barclaypress.com, or mail a check to Barclay Press, 211 N Meridian St #101, Newberg OR 97132.
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