God's Mission Our Gifts: December 2021

You Can Make a Difference this Christmas   In a world where isolation and distance are the new reality, Gifts with Vision are your opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life—during this Christmas season or any time of year—from the comfort of home, with no packaging or wrapping needed. Select gifts online now or anytime at giftswithvision.ca and help save and transform lives without even leaving home.  Your January Mission & Service Stories JANUARY 2 The Wisdom of Thoughtful, Intentional Giving   [Image credit: Geralt on Pixabay] When we reflect on generosity as part of our spiritual practice, our giving becomes even more deeply intentional and meaningful. How will you commit yourself to give generously, thoughtfully and intentionally in this new year just as the magi who arrived at the stable did?    JANUARY 9 A Better World – One Water Project at a Time   [Photo credit: CLWR/E. Paulley] Baptism of Jesus Sunday is a good day to think about our relationship with water. Did you know that more than half of the global population does not have access to safe sanitation? 2.2 billion people still don’t have safe drinking water. Your Mission & Service gifts are building a better world—one water project at a time.    JANUARY 16 Theological Education Provides a Roadmap to Vitality     [Image credit: Vancouver School of Theology]   Is your church struggling with issues of viability? Is maintaining your building and paying for staff proving hard? Vancouver School of Theology’s Congregational Vitality through Community Engagement Project -supported through Mission & Service- is helping churches re-focus on core principles of church health and explore ways to thrive. JANUARY 23 Haiti – How Your Generosity Is Helping   [Photo credit: Thomas Noreille/ACT]   It’s been five months since a 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck southwestern Haiti. Since then, your support through Mission & Service partners and emergency relief has been hard at work providing medical supplies and first aid kits, water treatment tablets, temporary shelters, food packages, tools, sanitation services, access to safe water for drinking, reconstruction and psychological support. Thank you! JANUARY 30 Dreams Are Realized through Education [Photo credit: Human Rights Advocacy and Research Foundation]   Tamilarasi is a very bright 15-year-old from a small village in Tamil Nadu, South India. Your generosity through Mission & Service is supporting her dream to become a doctor. Thank YOU!     On Giving Tuesday, your leadership and support provided life-saving vaccines to help those most vulnerable around the world. Thank you for helping save lives! When you promoted Mission & Service during the Christmas season, you truly helped build a better world. Thank you for generously supporting and inspiring generous giving through Mission & Service! Annual Meeting Sunday Liturgy – Coming Soon! Keep an eye on your inbox for a complete and adaptable mission-oriented service to use on annual meeting Sunday. New! 2022 Your Generosity Matters Booklets   [Image Credit: Diane Renault] 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.   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.   Merry Christmas!   May all you are doing to celebrate the birth of Jesus be a blessing to you and to your community of faith. Thank you. You are appreciated.  Surprise Your Donors and Supporters Lots of people get and send Christmas cards. Why not surprise all the people who make the ministry of your community of faith possible by generously giving money and time by sending them an Epiphany card? You cannot thank people enough. It can be easy!  Play with these ideas:  You are God’s gift to us and the world. Thank-you for all you offer!  I just had an epiphany! I am very thankful for your generosity through [name] United Church.  Your gifts through [name] United Church are making a difference and shining the light of God’s love to your community. Thank you! Print custom-designed cards through an online publishing company, like Vista Print, or send e-cards. Find options here. Your Annual Giving Program is Here! Get it now! The newly updated resources for the Called to Be the Church: Congregational Giving Program are now available. 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! Module 2: The Giving Program starts the week of January 17, 2022 for those planning to do a giving program before June 30. Gather your Giving Team and join a cohort of different communities of faith for two weekly 2-hour learning and planning sessions with a trained coach. Ongoing support and follow-up. Find out how we will work together toward a successful giving program here. Stewardship Seconds, offering invitations, and offering prayers Stewardship Seconds, offering invitations, and offering prayers for January 2022 are available on the United Church’s stewardship worship theme page. Scroll down to “Related Material” at the bottom of the page. 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! 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. Donate Facebook Twitter Website Email Instagram YouTube LinkedIn   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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