rooted firmly in the Angican tradition, our goal is to
enable Christians in their indigenous churches to grow in faith and knowledge
we support projects for the creation, preparation, and distribution of Christian knowledge by utilizing print and other media; as a missionary society, we work for the proclamation and understanding of the gospel in and by all nations.
read about our history.
History of SPCK/USA
More than 300 years ago…
the Reverend Thomas Bray, an Anglican priest in London, formed the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge to
“promote learning… abroad and to propagate Christian knowledge at home.” Since 1698, the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge has distributed over 30 million books and provided the means for translating the Book of Common Prayer into more than 200 languages. SPCK sent the first printing presses to India, opened the first British schools for poor children, gave equal education to girls, sent the first printed books to Australia, established libraries for clergy and missionaries in many countries, and published the first Braille books. In 1983, SPCK/USA was established at the School of Theology of the University of the South in Sewanee, TN, and in 2015 our offices moved down the mountain to Cowan, TN. We made one more final move in 2022 to our current location at Christ Church Alto. Through SPCK/USA, you are provided an exciting opportunity to participate with all the provinces of the Anglican Communion in a joint effort for Christian mission in over 125 countries. SPCK/USA is a founding member of the Episcopal Partnership for Global Mission. As a missionary society and servant of the Episcopal Church, we invite you to join with us in working toward the fulfillment of Christ’s command, “Go ye therefore and make disciples of all nations.”605 4TH aVE, po bOX 1 bRADLEY BEACH, nJ 07720
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact
The Rev. Canon Dr. James T. Yarsiah, jtyarsiah@gmail.com, 843-810-3500
Society
for Promoting Christian Knowledge (SPCK/USA) Announces New Leadership and
Relocation of Book Depot to New Jersey
Bradley
Beach, NJ – September 30, 2024
– The Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge (SPCK/USA) proudly announces a
significant milestone as it transitions to new leadership and relocates its
Book Depot & Vestment materials from the Diocese of Tennessee to the
Diocese of New Jersey. The Rt. Rev. Sally J. French, Bishop of New Jersey,
warmly welcomes SPCK/USA to its new home.
After
many years of dedicated service, Patti Joy Posan has stepped down from her
leadership role with SPCK/USA. The organization expresses deep gratitude for
her unwavering commitment and love. Patti remains thrilled that SPCK/USA will
continue to fulfill its important mission.
On
April 13, 2024, the Board of Trustees elected The Rev. Canon Dr. James T.
Yarsiah as President of SPCK/USA and The Rev. Canon Dr. Caroline Carson
as Vice President. Their leadership marks the beginning of a new era for
SPCK/USA, with a focus on rebranding and expanding its impact while continuing
to provide vital resources for Christian discipleship.
In
July 2024, Rev. Canon Dr. Yarsiah, Rev. Canon Dr. Carson, and Mr. Eddie Gibson
traveled to Tennessee to oversee the packing and transport of thousands of
theological and religious books from the Book Depot/Repository, a cornerstone
of SPCK/USA’s ministry. These materials were carefully relocated to the Bea
Shaffer Outreach Center at St. James Episcopal Church in Bradley Beach,
NJ.
The
new location will serve as SPCK/USA’s central hub for receiving donations of
theological books, vestments, church materials, and ornaments, which will be
made available to churches, dioceses, seminarians, institutions, and
individuals across The Episcopal Church USA and the Anglican Communion.
SPCK/USA will continue its mission to “provide resources for Christian
discipleship around the world.”
SPCK/USA
is urgently seeking financial support to settle into its new home and cover
necessary expenses such as rent, utilities, and bookshelves. Bishops, dioceses,
parishes, donors, sponsors, institutions, organizations, and individuals are
encouraged to contribute and help empower SPCK/USA as it continues to fulfill
its mission. Donations can be made online through the SPCK/USA website, or
checks may be mailed to the address provided below.
The
new leadership is excited about the future and is committed to revitalizing
SPCK/USA and expanding its outreach.
New
Leadership
- President:
The Rev. Canon Dr. James T. Yarsiah
- Vice President:
The Rev. Canon Dr. Caroline Carson
New
Contact Information
SPCK/USA
C/o St. James Episcopal Church
605 Fourth Ave, P.O. Box 1
Bradley Beach, NJ 07720
Phone: 732-775-5414 | Fax: 732-775-0104
Email: spck@sewanee.edu | jtyarsiah@gmail.com
Website: www.spckusa.org
Facebook: SPCK/USA – Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge
Since
2001, Canon Yarsiah has been actively involved with SPCK/USA, the Episcopal
Church of Liberia, and Cuttington University, where he completed his seminary
education. The Diocese of Liberia, Cuttington University’s Department of
Theology, and many Liberian churches have benefited tremendously from
SPCK/USA’s Global Outreach Ministry, receiving theological resources, Prayer
Books, Hymnals, Bibles, clerical shirts, vestments, cassocks, acolyte and choir
robes, Sunday school materials, and other church essentials.
The
leadership and Board of SPCK/USA have reached out to bishops across various
dioceses, informing them of this exciting new chapter and the organization’s
renewed commitment to its mission. SPCK/USA deeply appreciates the community’s
support throughout its existence and looks forward to continuing its ministry
from its new location in New Jersey.
For
more information or media inquiries, please contact SPCK/USA using the contact
details provided above.
Come visit our Book Depot! Located at St. James Episcopal Church in Bradley Beach, NJ! There is the main book depot in the Bea Shafer Outreach Center.
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Books & Vestments
Books
-Major theologians -Bibles -New & Old Testament -Church History -Current Commentaries -Anchor Bibles -Homiletics -Pastoral Care
-General ChristianityVestments
-Albs
-Cassocks -Chasubles -StolesBoard of Trustees
The Rev. Canon Dr. James T. Yarsiah, President
Bradley Beach, NJ
The Very Rev. Dr. Caroline Carson, VP
Diocese of NJ
Wally Smith, Sea Grit, NJThe Rt. Rev. Philip Duncan
Austin, TX
Mr. John Ogden
Media, PA
The Rt. Rev. William Skilton
Charleston, SC
Dr. Don Davis
Austin, TX