NOVEMBER 2
Faith, Farming, and Friendship |
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 | [Image credit: Courtesy of Asian Rural Institute]
For the first time in human history, more people live in cities than in rural areas, and that shift has brought new challenges, especially in caring for the Earth. In Japan, a Mission and Service partner is responding with vision and hope. |
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NOVEMBER 9
Travel and Transformation |
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 | [Image credit: Canadian Foodgrains Bank] When members of the Diakonia of The United Church of Canada prepared to travel to Tanzania for the World Diakonia Conference, they knew their flights would carry a heavy carbon cost. Together, they decided to take collective responsibility for that footprint. |
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NOVEMBER 16
From Sleepless Nights to Shared Strength |
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 | [Image credit: Fairview Resource Centre] Becoming a new parent can be overwhelming, with the constant demands of caring for a newborn, sleepless nights, and the pressure to make the right choices for your child. It’s a time filled with great joy, but also uncertainty, as parents adjust to their new roles and work to create a safe and nurturing environment for their little one. |
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NOVEMBER 23
Together in Prayer and Solidarity |
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[Image credit: Courtesy DSPR-MECC]
Today, we hold in prayer our Mission and Service partners in Gaza, where the situation remains catastrophic. Even amid overwhelming challenges, our partners continue to serve with remarkable faith and perseverance. |
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NOVEMBER 30
Faithful Witness in a Time of Despair |
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[Image credit: Defense for Children International – Palestine (DCIP)]
For children in Gaza, the simple dreams of childhood have been replaced by fear and survival. This Giving Tuesday, we invite you to join in prayer and action for the children of Gaza. Because every child has the right to food, shelter, safety, and education. |
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Thank You for Your Support for Our Thanksgiving CampaignThe Work on Food Security Continues |
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A deep thank-you for your prayers, donations, and advocacy during this month’s Thanksgiving food security appeal. While this current campaign will soon end, the work of addressing food security and global hunger continues.
The United Church of Canada works with the Canadian Foodgrains Bank in ongoing efforts to support communities around the world. Together, we accompany global partners in their work to end hunger through emergency food assistance, long-term food security projects, and advocacy for just systems where all are fed.
For ways to continue praying, advocating, and accompanying vital food security work, visit our Food Security page. |
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Congregational Stewardship and Generosity
This is your resource to help you grow generous disciples to do God’s mission. Please modify and use these ideas in your context. And if you do, please let me know what you did and how it went.
 [Image by Pezibear from Pixabay]
If the thought of running a giving program for your church scares the bejeebers out of you, then take a deep breath and sign up for Setting Up Your Giving Program, part of Called to Be the Church: The Journey. You don’t have to do it alone and you don’t have to start from scratch. Sign up at CHURCHx or contact us at called@united-church.ca.
Take care. God loves you!
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Sharing and Stewardship
What a difference doing a good giving program in your community of faith can make!
"Church A" had $6,000 in one-time gifts as a result of their program and are anticipating $8,000 more in PAR next year. At the end of the giving program at "Church B," 69% of those who had returned pledge cards planned to "step up" using their giving levels step chart. Both also tell really great stories of relationship building – and of better morale in their congregation.
Learn more and sign up for Setting Up Your Giving Program on CHURCHx.
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- The Sunday following All Saints Day (November 1) is a great time to talk about the importance of legacy. We are grateful for the legacy of those Saints who have gone before us. It helps make our ministry today possible. What Legacy will you leave? Will you consider a Legacy Gift?
- The Centennial Legacy Campaign website has lots of information and free resources, and the Bequests & Estate Giving course (live or on-demand) from Called to Be the Church: The Journey is also free now.
- Don’t forget the Advent ideas in last month’s God’s Mission Our Gifts.
- Last spring, almost 400 communities of faith had an increase in their income by promoting giving through monthly Pre-Authorized Remittance (PAR) during May’s PAR month. Mark your calendar now for 2026. Free PAR month resources will be available in March.
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A Generous TableIn her new blog, the Rev. Melody Duncanson-Hales reflects on welcoming and Somubi. Check it out! |
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Resources You Need!Free Themed Stewardship Resource Kits
The Starter Kit, the Digging Deeper Kit, the Stewardship Program Kit, the Planned Legacy Giving Kit. Get them at Free Stewardship Resource Kits. Coming soon: the Capital Campaign Kit!
Stewardship Seconds (updated for July-December 2025!)
Short, pithy sayings that pack a punch, to help infiltrate stewardship thinking into your community of faith. Add them to newsletters, worship, announcements, webpages, wherever people gather! Find them at the Stewardship in Worship page.
Offering Introductions & Dedication Prayers (updated for July-December 2025!)
The offering time in worship is NOT about collecting money! It is about growing generous disciples and stewards. These Offering Introductions and Dedication Prayers for each Sunday of the year will help. Find them at the Stewardship in Worship page. |
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Gifts with Vision NewsThis year’s Gifts with Vision catalogue – featuring the gifts currently on the Gifts with Vision website – will be mailed out in a few weeks now that the postal service is partially back. Email Gifts with Vision if you’d like to reserve your copies now.
And we’re now taking applications for the 2026-2027 Gifts with Vision catalogue! The application closing date is October 22 and we’d be so grateful if you could help us by encouraging eligible partners to apply. Here are the details: - Application deadline: Wednesday, October 22, 2025
- Applicants must be currently receiving Mission and Service funding
- Applications are being accepted online via Microsoft Forms
- We’re keeping the number of gifts small this year, with plans to expand gradually
- Every gift requires an application – even those who have been part of Gifts with Vision before
- The website will be updated and go live with new gifts in February, which allows us to focus on highlighting projects throughout the year
Please email us or call us at 1-844-715-7969 if you have questions. |
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Why be a Mission and Service Volunteer? |
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What do you feel called to do? There's a place for you!
You might be a Mission and Service Enthusiast: you’ve been promoting Mission and Service in your community of faith for a while now, and sometimes it seems like you’re doing it all alone. We want to give you the support and resources you need, and listen to what you have to say |
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As a volunteer, you get a weekly email with information you can use, plus resources to help you spread the word about Mission and Service in your community and online. You also get the chance to share your own stories of Mission and Service with a wider audience.
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 ms@united-church.ca. |
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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! |
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