|
|
|
|
Your January Mission & Service Stories
[Image credit: Gerd Altmann on Pixabay]
The format of Minutes for Mission has changed. Now, in addition to the eight stories and devotions that were mailed to you in the “Your Generosity Matters” booklet, each week we will be sharing stories about the difference your gifts are making at home and around the world right now. Get the links to all of the stories and videos in this newsletter each month so you can find and circulate them easily.
You can also find all the weekly news stories and Your Generosity Matters stories and videos on the United Church website.
Download the full PDF of Your Generosity Matters from our website.
Please share these amazing stories of the good we do together in your communications channels (social media, newsletters, etc.) and in your church services. When you share these stories, you inspire your friends and community of faith to help transform lives.
January 3 – GRANDMOTHERS HELP CHANGE ATTITUDES: AN EPIPHANY STORY
Your Mission & Service gifts support grandmothers in Kenya who are raising their grandchildren after their own children died of HIV/AIDS. This story recounts how the grandmothers bravely spoke their truth to a group of pastors. In a series of workshops that your generosity helped make happen, the grandmothers told the pastors how shame-based theology has an impact on them. As a result, the pastors made a commitment to serve them better. This is a true Epiphany story.
January 10 – RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL SURVIVOR ANSWERS THE CALL TO MINISTRY
Deb Anderson-Pratt, a Cree/Saulteaux residential school survivor was ordained as a minister last Fall. She shares her personal story of struggle with religion and her dream of a safe place. Through the Healing Fund (largely funded by Mission & Service), your generosity supports the Sandy-Salteaux Centre in Manitoba where both Indigenous and Christian spiritual beliefs are respected, shared and understood. There, Indigenous leaders like Deb answer God’s call to a ministry of healing and hope. Thank you.
January 17 – AMAZING GENEROSITY DURING THE COVID-19 CRISIS
Did you know that the church raised over $280,000 to support vulnerable people around the world who are even more vulnerable because of COVID-19? Did you also know that over the years, your reliable Mission & Service gifts have helped our church develop a network of trusted partnerships all across the world? That means we know exactly who to work with in times of crisis so your gifts are directed quickly, responsibly and effectively when disaster strikes. Learn how we are helping during the COVID-19 pandemic and why your ongoing support through Mission & Service matters.
January 24 – BUILDING A WORLD WHERE EVERYONE BELONGS: LYNDA’S STORY
Everyone belongs. That belief anchors our United Church. It’s why your Mission & Service gifts support marginalized people and help the church achieve greater inclusion. Did you know that one in five Canadians live with at least one disability? Disability is an issue that affects all of us. That’s why the United Church partners with people from other denominations to raise disability awareness—people like Anglican disability activist Lynda Katsuno. You can help raise awareness by simply sharing the story.
A video of this story is also available for download.
January 31 – TRAFFICKED BY HER AUNT: LAKSHMI’S STORY
Lakshmi, a teenager from West Bengal, India, went missing from her family home just a few months ago. Struggling to survive, Lakshmi was trafficked by her aunt who promised she could earn money and become independent by “dancing.” Thankfully, Lakshmi’s parents contacted the Diocese of Durgapur, which runs an anti-human trafficking program supported by your Mission & Service gifts. The Diocese intervened and on threat of legal action, Lakshmi’s aunt returned her to her parents. Human trafficking is a burgeoning crisis in India and around the world. Share Lakshmi’s story. Help shed light on human trafficking and spread the good news about how Mission & Service is making a difference.
|
|
Let Your Christ Light Shine
(Photo credit: Rev. Michael Perreault, Rothwell United Church)
Advent candles are an inspiring symbol of Christian unity. Alone, our light can only shine so far; together in Christ, we can light up the world. Let’s share the light of Christ this Christmas. Make a gift through Mission & Service!
|
|
As many as 500,000,000 people are on the verge of acute hunger as the world experiences the worst economic fallout since the Great Depression. Please support those who need our help right now. Make a special Christmas gift through Mission & Service today. Your gift will save lives.
Matthew’s gospel talks about letting our light shine in good deeds. Just like the candles circling the advent wreath, we shine more brightly when we do good work together. Truly united, we can share Christ’s light of hope, peace, joy and love and build a better world. Thank you so much for your support.
|
|
Congregational Stewardship/Generosity
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.
Coming in 2021: Called to be the Church 2021 United Church Giving Program
Called to Be the Church is THE resource for United Church communities of faith to consider giving and generosity as a key spiritual practice for disciples of Jesus in five weeks each year. Watch for it in the mailbox of your community of faith in mid-January.
- Discipleship IS Stewardship worship materials for any five Sundays: full liturgies, sermons, kids’/youth materials
- NEW Stewardship@HOME ideas and resources for families to use at home
- Special theme song “This Indescribable Gift” by David Kai
- Samples, tips and resources to help you Inspire, Invite & Thank
Called to be the Church: The Journey
“Engaging,” “spiritual,” and “practical” are just a few of the words being used to describe Called to Be the Church: the Journey. Using new tools and resources during the four guided sessions of The Journey, you will:
- Explore your mission and learn how to share it
- Practice the best ways to cultivate generosity
- Generate ways to create a culture of gratitude
- Understand stewardship as a spiritual practice
Join with your community of faith and others across the country to journey together toward more vibrant and sustainable life!
The Stewardship Toolkit is on the move!
By mid-January all your stewardship tools, tricks, tips, and resources will have a new home at www.united-church.ca/stewardship. (Yay!) Called to be the Church materials and extras; Called to be the Church worship resources; planned and legacy giving materials; Stewardship Seconds; offering invitations and prayers—it will all be there!
Stewardship Seconds, Offering Invitations, and Offering Prayers
Stewardship Seconds, offering invitations, and offering prayers for January 2021 are available in Word and PDF format on the Stewardship Toolkit.
If you read just ONE book this month:
Preaching and Stewardship: Proclaiming God’s Invitation to Grow, by Craig A. Satterlee
If you are looking for a book that clearly links and discusses theology, biblical study, preaching, and stewardship, this is for you. Craig Satterlee acknowledges the difficulties many ministers have with talking about money, let alone preaching about it. Step one? Take some time to think about your own situation and your own ideas about money and faith. What do you mean when you say “Stewardship”?
Satterlee then walks the reader through biblical teachings about giving, to help with writing a solid stewardship sermon. Acknowledging that simply preaching a sermon won’t be enough to create real change, the final chapter considers other activities to add to the life of the congregation to improve stewardship.
Available in paperback from UCRD or as an e-book from Chapters-Indigo.
|
|
|
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. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
