God's Mission Our Gifts: June 2021

We are heartbroken by the news coming out of Kamloops, as we know many people are—and now by the news from the Cowessess First Nation in Saskatchewan. Please continue to hold space for all our Indigenous relations as the true extent of the findings becomes clearer. Moderator Richard Bott and Executive Minister, Indigenous Ministries and Justice Murray Pruden have written a message to the people of The United Church in Canada in response to the Kamloops Residential School graves discovery. You may find these prayers helpful as well. You Change Lives... Your July Mission & Service Stories Describe How JULY 4 – Supporting Education on the Path to Reconciliation “Part of the struggle with me in life was to find out who I was as Anishinaabe and who I was as French, Irish and English mix,” says Alf Dumont. Dumont’s story offers vital, timely leadership on the path to reconciliation.   [Photo credit: Alf Dumont]   JULY 11 – Turning Hard Work into Hope Every Day: Margaret’s Story Hard work doesn’t always pay off—but around the world, your gifts through Mission & Service turn hard work into hope for the future. Margaret totally transformed her life through a micro-lending program your gifts support. She shares her incredible story in this video.   [Photo credit: The United Church of Canada]   JULY 18 – Jazz and Technology Meet Up to Spark Innovation Exercise. Geolocation software. Jazz. Ministry. Here’s how these meet up—with help from your Mission & Service gifts.   [Photo credit: Trisha Elliott/The United Church of Canada] JULY 25 – Creating a World without Hate   Did you know that 322 anti-Muslim hate crimes were reported in Canada between 2013 and 2019? And that’s just the crimes we know about. Mission & Service supports education to deepen relationships and create a world without hate.   [Photo credit: Tom Gordon] Amazing Results! We are super excited to let you know that this spring, our Mission & Service Easter & Mother’s Day appeals were a massive success.   Together, we raised an amazing $202,184.95.   We are grateful for your generosity. Through our Mission & Service, we truly do help transform and save lives, inspire meaning and purpose and build a better world.   Thank you!!! And please share the good news! [Image credit: Gerd Altman on Pixabay] 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. Online giving with CanadaHelps Every community of faith should offer at least one way for donors to give online. CanadaHelps offers a complete suite of tools for you to receive, receipt, and thank your donors. Visit our Stewardship page for a downloadable info sheet. 653 communities of faith are already using CanadaHelps and together they have received over $1.3 million in 2021. Join them! Worship Materials: Find inspiring stewardship worship materials on the United Church stewardship in worship webpage. Each five-week set includes full liturgy, sermon, and children/youth materials. Use them as part of a giving program, or use any of the separate pieces in any time of worship. Stewardship Seconds, Offering Invitations, and Offering Prayers Stewardship Seconds are on hiatus and will be back next month. Offering invitations and offering prayers for July 2021 are available on the United Church’s stewardship worship theme page. Scroll down to “Related Material” at the bottom of the page. If you read just one book this month: Thanks Giving by Christopher Levan How do we invite people to give money for God's work through the church? Thanks Giving answers this question by exploring a good deal more than financial issues. Get 60% off on Thanks Giving at UCRDstore.ca. Free shipping on orders over $80—use code SALEONSALE. 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! Remember—Called to Be the Church: The Journey modules begin again in August! 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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