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

Congregational Stewardship and Generosity   “So long, and thanks for all the fish!”   This is the message left by the dolphins when they departed Planet Earth just before it was demolished in the book by the same title by Douglas Adams. Now things are not that dire, but this is the last edition of God’s Mission Our Gifts that I will be helping produce. I will be retiring on June 30 and so will no longer be your Community of Faith Stewardship Team Lead. As I think about the last 10 years in devoted stewardship work, there are many “fish” to be thankful for.   First must be the incredible people with whom I have worked. You have taught me much and together I really believe we have made a difference in the future of the United Church. Many of these people will continue to work with you, the Communities of Faith, not just to help build sustainability and nurture generous disciples, but to make you look good while doing it! Thank you to the participants in any of the Called to Be the Church: The Journey courses. You have helped us refine those courses for others. Your results have proven that these courses work. Thank you to those of you willing to risk trying new things. You know there is danger in risk, but you tried anyways and usually succeeded. I am grateful for the opportunities this work has brought. As you continue to Inspire, Invite and Thank, building stewardship into the very core of the life of your congregation and its people, I wish you all the very best. Tag!!! Take care. And remember, God loves you!    Big News for Eastern Canada!!   The Rev. Rob Shearer has started as the Growth and Stewardship Animator for the Fundy St. Lawrence Dawning Waters region. He will also be covering the First Dawn Eastern Edge region for the foreseeable future. Those in his regions are welcome to reach out to Rob at rshearer@united-church.ca. Melody Duncanson Hales will also continue with some ongoing work in these regions. Thanks, Melody, for your help!   Let’s Say Thank You!   As PAR Month wraps up, please take the opportunity to thank your donors. Thank those who are newly signed up for consistent giving through PAR. They are making a statement about their commitment to the church and to their faith. Thank those already using PAR who increased their giving. They love their church. Thank those not using PAR but still being generous. Generosity is a mark of discipleship. You cannot thank people too much or too often. Now is the time! New Stewardship BLOG   The Rev. Brenna Baker offers you Summer, and the Stewardship is Easy in this month's Stewardship Blog!! You can find it on Round the Table on the United Church website.   Getting Started in Stewardship   This is where it all begins. Communities of Faith completing this course have better outcomes. After this FREE 90-minute online course you will better understand: Stewardship is not fundraising. Stewardship is discipleship. Why people give? What can you do next? Find out more and sign up on CHURCHx.   Called to Be the Church: The Journey   Don’t wait!! Get ready and register now for the fall courses. Everything you need to rediscover what stewardship really is! Find the courses, dates, and times and sign up on CHURCHx.   Get the Stewardship support you need.   The people and resources you need to help you succeed are here   Your July Mission and Service Stories These stories and more can now be found on the United Church of Canada Foundation’s website here. PowerPoint slides for each story are available on the Mission and Service Resources page. July 5 Grace at the Gate [Image credit: Courtesy of JCC]   Each morning, five-year-old Mohammad sat in his wheelchair at the gate of his home in Beirut’s Sabra/Shatila refugee camp, watching other children head to kindergarten while he remained behind. Born with partial paralysis and facing significant barriers to care and education, his world seemed limited, until a nearby kindergarten opened its doors and offered him a place to belong. June 12 Reverence and Service [Image credit: Courtesy of Rev. Won Hur]   “It is often difficult to see or fully understand the impacts of our faith at work in the world. Like fruit trees in an orchard, they take time to grow, blossom, and bear fruit for all to enjoy. Such is the work of ministry and service—it is often hidden from our eyes, yet it is growing and flourishing.” June 19 Shared Wonder [Image credit: Courtesy of Cave Springs Camp] “I found a salamander!” a camper calls from a forest trail, and within moments a small crowd gathers in wonder. At Cave Springs Camp, moments like these help children and youth slow down, connect with creation, build friendships, and discover a deep sense of belonging in a supportive community rooted in faith.   June 26 Pursuing Peace [Image credit: Photo by David McIntosh] “Just like Miyako residents, I live on an island and can relate to their everyday lives on their island, as it was small and humble just like here in Newfoundland. There was one prominent difference. The majority of the residents are seeking peace from their own government, something we don’t have to worry about here in Canada. God called upon me to see how the people of Miyako Island are living, and to share with everyone their struggle for peace.”

Gifts with Vision News   Our small but mighty Gifts with Vision catalogue has been updated – featuring brand new gifts, as well as your existing favourites. Take a look now! Questions? Email Gifts with Vision. You can also call us at 1-844-715-7969. Why be a Mission and Service Volunteer? You love the Mission and Service stories and want to share them: you’ve been reading the stories on the website every now and then, and you think they would inspire your congregation – if only you could hear about how other people were using them! As a volunteer, you can have Mission and Service stories for the upcoming month sent right to your email inbox. They’re part of a weekly email with lots of information you can use.  You can also virtually meet other Mission and Service volunteers and learn what works for them!  Contact us today to learn more!      Mission and Service Volunteer Program    The United Church of Canada Foundation  ms@united-church.ca    1-800-465-3771  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 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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