God's Mission Our Gifts: Your April Mission and Service Stories and more!

Your April Mission and Service Stories April 6 The Next Century: Youth Leading the Way   [Image credit: The United Church of Canada]   In July 2024, eight passionate youth from across Canada gathered in Calgary. Together, they worked to lay the foundation for 100 young people under the age of 30 to attend The United Church of Canada's General Council 45 in 2025, coinciding with the church's Centennial commemorations. April 13 Supporting a Rights-Based Approach to Growing Food     [Image credit: Christie Neufeldt]   The Association of Economic and Social Development Santa Marta (ADES), a Mission and Service partner, is located in an area of Central America that is vulnerable to climate change and regularly experiences drought. Mining projects have also negatively affected the environment and the people in the region. ADES and other community organizations decided to act to protect the community’s right to a healthy environment.      April 20 Renewing Hope and Growing Love   [Image credit: Lindsay Victoria]   Easter is a time of renewal and reflection—a reminder of the boundless grace and love that flow through the world. It is also a time to celebrate the ways that you put love into action through Mission and Service.   April 27 Changing the Narrative: Young Voices for Climate Justice     [Image credit: Yowanda Yonggara]   Over four days in 2024, 50 passionate students from various regions of Bangladesh came together to address the critical issue of climate change. Equipped with knowledge and tools, these young leaders are now poised to advocate for climate justice and inspire their communities. Mission and Service Resources for Easter If you’re getting ready to plan your Easter service, we have some Mission and Service resources for you! On the Mission and Service worship page, you’ll find our online Easter Impact Report which will help you to share the good work being supported by your Community of Faith. An Easter prayer, and PowerPoint slides that you can use to highlight the work of Mission and Service are available as well. And of course, our Mission and Service Easter donation link is live – supporting Mission and Service work in Canada and globally as the United Church moves into its next 100 years. The 2025 Mission and Service goal-setting form is here! Are you making plans for the Centennial year? We can help. The 2025 goal-setting form is new and improved – and ready to go whenever you are!   Questions? Email Mission and Service or call us at 1-800-465-3771. Congregational Stewardship/Generosity February 2025 content for Community of Faith stewardship This is your resource to help you grow generous disciples and gather the resources you need to do God’s mission. Please modify and use these ideas in your context. No, I don’t own one, and I’m sure they’re nice, but last year Peloton, who sells personal fitness machines, used the phrase “Doing something is everything” in their advertisements.   That same phrase is absolutely true in the life of our communities of faith; from stewardship to discipleship and back again.   Doing SOMETHING is EVERYTHING. As you prepare for Easter, use the Easter Mission and Service appeal to celebrate and commemorate the good work that Mission and Service has done in the past 100 years, and will do moving forward. Doing SOMETHING is EVERYTHING. Recognising PIE Day. The Public, Intentional, Explicit inclusion of 2SLGBTQIA+ people. These are the standards we hold ourselves and our welcome to when we seek to live into being fully affirming, welcoming, and inclusive people and communities. Doing SOMETHING is EVERYTHING.   This month, please, DO SOMETHING to show your people and your community that God loves them. As followers of Jesus, that’s EVERYTHING. Rev. Dave Jagger  Community of Faith Stewardship Lead    Get the Stewardship Support You Need The people and resources to help you succeed are here. Mission and Service Volunteers What do you feel called to do? There’s a place for you! Mission and Service volunteers are people who are ready to spread the word about the great work that’s being done by the United Church of Canada through Mission and Service. They can choose the work they want to do and the amount of time they are able to spend.   It’s easy to take the next step to become a Mission and Service volunteer. Just call us at 1-800-465-3771 or email us at ms@united-church.ca. 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! 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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