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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!
Called to Be the Church: The Journey modules begin again in August!
Fill out your Mission & Service goal-setting form online!
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Your June Mission & Service Stories
JUNE 6 – MISSION & SERVICE: 96 YEARS STRONG
True or false: The United Church of Canada was formed in 1925 in part so that our founding denominations could combine their finances to do more mission work in Canada and around the world. Check out this story for the answer and an overview of how Mission & Service changes lives—perfect for Anniversary Sunday! The latest Generosity Video would make a moving addition to your service.
[Photo credit: Our Place]
JUNE 13 – GOOD GRIEF! HELPING PEOPLE GRIEVE WELL
“Languishing.” That’s the latest popular word to describe how many of us feel as the pandemic rolls on. COVID-19 has amplified our losses and disrupted how we grieve. Blessedly, many organizations that your Mission & Service gifts sustain provide life-saving help. Here’s one story for you to share in your service or newsletter, about how your support helps people live well through grief and loss.
[Photo credit: ORA]
Kindergarten teacher Esbikenh grew up knowing his ancestral language, but sadly, the children he taught in school didn’t. “One day I turned on YouTube and saw superhero videos. I thought, ‘Why not make these videos and we will just have all the superheroes speak in Anishinaabemowin?’” And that’s where your Mission & Service gifts come in. Share Esbikenh’s story in print and video on Indigenous Day of Prayer.
[Photo credit: The United Church of Canada]
JUNE 27 – WHERE FOOD AND COMMUNITY GROW
Over 200 families, many of whom live in poverty, grow their own nutritious food through Mission & Service partner Fred Victor’s extensive gardens. But the food itself isn’t the only benefit of the gardening program. As Canada celebrates Multiculturalism Day today, learn more about how your gifts support gardens that not only feed people but also bring them together—and then share the story with someone you know.
[Photo credit: Melanie Gordon Photography]
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NEW! Your Generosity Video
Together, as a United Church, we raised over 26 million dollars in 2020 to help change lives in a very difficult year. Amazing! We will share a full accountability report shortly but here is a video snapshot of your generosity through Mission & Service in 2020. In a tough year, our collective heart has never been stronger! Please share the good news widely.
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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.
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
June is a great time of the year to THANK your donors. As you look forward to the summer and fall, what exciting activities are upcoming that their gifts make possible? Now is the time to thank them in advance and inspire them with your plans! PLEASE resist the temptation to turn thanking into inviting. Just thank. Don’t ask.
The group to invite is the donors who gave last year, but haven’t yet given this year. Inspiring them with the exciting plans you have for upcoming activities, or stories of activities you have already done in 2021 that help you accomplish your mission and make people’s lives better, can motivate giving. Better yet, choose inspiring stories of activities they would be interested in and invite them to take part. The more they experience your ministry, the more likely they are to support it financially. Remember, it’s all about the relationship!
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Called to Be the Church: The Journey
Called to Be the Church: The Journey is a set of tailored and topical modules with coaching and ongoing support to meet your stewardship needs.
Module 1: Stewardship Best Practices will start again in August. In four two-hour online classes, dive into these vital best practices:
- Claim Your Mission – it's really why people give to you
- Cultivate Generosity – practical ways to increase giving
- Create A Culture of Gratitude – saying “thank you” is critical
- Stewardship Is Discipleship – integrating stewardship in your spiritual growth programming
Module 1 also includes a Stewardship Analysis report, customized with giving and stewardship data for you community of faith. Along with ongoing coaching and support after the four classes, the recommendations in the report will help you set solid, achievable, stewardship next steps.
Module 1: Stewardship Best Practices starts the first week of August!
This session will be open to only three communities of faith per region, so be sure to SIGN UP EARLY!
| Starting: |
Region: |
Contact: |
| Wednesday, August 5 |
Northern Spirit |
Vicki Nelson |
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Living Skies |
Vicki Nelson |
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Prairie to Pine |
Vicki Nelson |
| Thursday, August 6 |
Chinook Winds |
Vicki Nelson |
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Pacific Mountain |
Vicki Nelson |
| Thursday, September 9 |
Canadian Shield |
Melody Duncanson-Hales |
| Wednesday, September 8 |
Antler River Watershed |
Dave Jagger |
| Thursday, September 9 |
Western Ontario Waterways |
Dave Jagger |
| Tuesday, September 21 |
Eastern Ontario Outaouais |
Roger Janes |
| Wednesday, September 22 |
Nakonha:ka Regional Council |
Roger Janes |
| Thursday, September 23 |
East Central Ontario |
Roger Janes |
| Tuesday, November 2 |
Western Ontario Waterways |
Dave Jagger |
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First Dawn Eastern Edge |
Roger Janes |
| Wednesday, November 3 |
Region 15 |
Roger Janes |
| Thursday, November 4 |
Fundy St. Lawrence Dawning Waters |
Roger Janes |
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Stewardship Seconds, Offering Invitations, and Offering Prayers
Stewardship Seconds, offering invitations, and offering prayers for June 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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If you read just one book this month:
Not Your Parents’ Offering Plate by J. Clif Christopher
Written with the needs of pastors and stewardship teams in mind, Not Your Parents’ Offering Plate provides immediate, practical guidance to all who seek to help God’s people be better stewards of their resources. Available from United Church Bookstore.
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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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