Your December Mission & Service Stories
DECEMBER 5
Build Bridges of Peace
[Photo credit: Geralt on Pixabay] December is one of the most spiritual months of the year. Along with Christmas, there are the Jewish festival of Hanukkah and winter solstice rituals, as well as spiritually significant days for Buddhists, Muslims and Zoroastrians. That makes this month a good one to remember what unites us. DECEMBER 12
Generosity Makes Hearts Sing with Joy [Photo credit: Jennifer Webb on Pixabay] Music has the power to change our world and when we harness it, we do too. That’s why Embracing the Spirit grants supported through your Mission & Service gifts and Seeds of Hope grants administered by the United Church Foundation fund music projects that build community and tend to the soul across our United Church. DECEMBER 19
Community is Key to Mental Health on Campus [Photo credit: Mel_88 on Pixabay ]
Accumulating debt. Rising tuition. Pressure to succeed academically. Uncertainty about the labour market after graduation…. Students can be under a lot of stress. Your generosity through Mission & Service supports student mental health through critical campus ministries. DECEMBER 26
Share Your Light 
[Photo credit: Geoff Duncan on Lightstock]
Did you know that Boxing Day was originally a day to give rather than receive? Before Boxing Day came to be associated with turkey sandwiches, football, and discounts, it was known as a day to serve those in need. This story calls us to return to the compassion-focused roots of Boxing Day and shine our light. A full Boxing Day service is available. Accompanying videos and bulletin inserts will arrive in your inbox soon. |
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On November 30, Share the Giving Tuesday Vaccine Appeal For many of us these days, hope comes in the form of a vaccine. And Giving Tuesday on November 30―just around the corner from Hope Sunday―is a good time to share it.
The COVID-19 crisis won’t end for anyone until it ends for everyone. And in some parts of the world, no end is in sight. That’s why this Giving Tuesday, we are hoping that you will invite people to give the ultimate gift – the gift of life.
On Giving Tuesday, we are launching a special vaccination appeal. For just $25, you can save a life, not only by providing a full vaccination to someone in the world who needs one, but by inspiring others to do the same. Thanks for your support. |
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Full Boxing Day Service Available Now
This year, Boxing Day falls on a Sunday. In order to support ministry leaders planning two back-to-back services and because Boxing Day has social justice roots, the Mission & Service team has prepared a full Boxing Day service. Reflections can be offered by one worship leader or many. They can be shared separately or gathered into one sermon. The liturgy also contains prayers, hymn suggestions, and children’s time. |
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New! 2022 Your Generosity Matters Booklets
Filled with inspiring stories, prayers and thought-provoking reflection questions, the 2022 Your Generosity Matters booklets will arrive at your church in January. Turn to this booklet when you need inspiring stories to share during worship, meeting openers, or small group conversation starters, and for your own personal devotions. |
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Congregational Stewardship/Generosity
This is your resource to help you grow generous disciples and access the resources God is providing to do God’s mission. Please modify and use these ideas in your context. Your Annual Giving Program Is Here!  Get it now! You don’t have to wait until 2022 to get the newly updated resources for the Called to Be the Church: Congregational Giving Program. In fact, the giving kit will not be mailed to you this year. It is available from the UCRD store as a free digital download or the regular paper kit. You can do it yourself! Information, ideas, downloads are all here. Inspire, Invite & Thank people to greater generosity. You can do it with us! Starting in 2022, you can do your giving program with our help. Find out how we will work together toward a successful giving program here. |
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It's Time to Talk about Giving and Generosity!Advent and Christmas are upon us. Everywhere you look, the dominant culture around us is talking about giving gifts. This is a perfect time to jump on the giving bandwagon and remind people that generosity is an integral part of our faith (Galatians 5:22). Provide opportunities for giving that align with God’s mission and offer hope, peace, joy, and love. Try one of these ideas: - Each week in Advent, as you introduce the offering, tell an inspiring story about something people make possible with their gifts to your community of faith to give people hope, peace, joy and love. Invite them to give generously.
- Each week in Advent highlight the work of a local partner organisation or Mission & Service that offers hope, peace, joy, and love, and invite a special offering--over and above regular giving--to support that organisation.
- Use the seasons of Advent and Christmas to invite people to offer hope, peace, joy, and love to the global south by giving COVID vaccines through the Gifts with Vision catalogue. Set a goal, such as one vaccine given for every member of your congregation. On Christmas, celebrate and thank people for the gift they are giving to the world.
Remember, your goal is to talk about and invite giving as a vital practice for followers of Jesus. You can do it! |
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Communicate, Communicate, Communicate!Now is the time to begin communicating with your community of faith about any special Advent or Christmas giving opportunities you are offering. In these days of COVID and on-line worship, make giving easy, by helping them be ready to give. Send out links for online giving in advance and inform those using envelopes or cheques how they will be received. |
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Free Stewardship Worship Resources for Epiphany 
[Image credit: marian anbu juwan on Pixabay] Discover Your Gifts―Share Your Gifts.
Five weeks of sermons, prayers, liturgies, and children’s/youth resources for the season of Epiphany make combining worship with stewardship easy. Now available on the United Church Stewardship in Worship webpage. |
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Stewardship Seconds, offering invitations, and offering prayers
Stewardship Seconds, offering invitations, and offering prayers for December 2021 are available on the United Church’s stewardship worship theme page. Scroll down to “Related Material” at the bottom of the page. |
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GOD’S MISSION, OUR GIFTS is your newsletter. We want to provide news and information that you can use in your community of faith, whether you’re a minister, a board member, an administrator, a treasurer, or anyone else who wants to make a difference. What else would you like to see? What can we do to help your community of faith get where it needs to go? Send us your thoughts! Fill out your Mission & Service goal-setting form online! |
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Visit the United Church’s COVID-19 page for tips and resources for members and communities of faith during the pandemic. And for help with government COVID-19 support, visit the United Church’s emergency funding page. |
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Your generosity enables the United Church to love, serve, and minister in the world. Make an online donation or learn more about your options to support the work of the church. |
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