Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge

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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