God's Mission Our Gifts - Your November Mission and Service Stories and more!

NOVEMBER 2026 General Council Annual Meeting On October 17, 2026, 176 commissioners, plus corresponding members and guests, participated online in the annual meeting of the 45th General Council. Check out the summary and notes here. Your November Mission and Service Stories PowerPoint slides for each story are available on the Mission and Service Resources page. November 1 | Youth Leadership Animators What happens when young people are given the chance to lead, grow in faith, and shape the future of the church? Through the Leadership Animator program, youth across Canada are discovering their gifts, building confidence, and finding meaningful ways to make a difference in their communities and the wider church. November 8 | A Stable Start No young person should have to worry about where they’ll sleep tonight. Wesley Youth Housing in Hamilton provides more than a safe place to stay, it offers young people experiencing homelessness the practical support, life skills, and encouragement they need to build independence and imagine a brighter future. November 15 | Living Language When a language disappears, generations of stories, knowledge, and culture are at risk of being lost with it. In Nunavut, the Kitikmeot Heritage Society is helping bring Inuinnaqtun to life through language mentoring, learning resources, and innovative tools that empower the Inuinnait people to reclaim their language and pass it on to future generations. November 22 | A Place to Turn Sometimes, the smallest act of kindness can open the door to a new beginning. In eastern Ontario, House of Lazarus offers warmth, food, financial assistance, and a welcoming community to people facing hardship. Whether helping someone find housing or ensuring a child has food for the weekend, its work reminds people that they are not alone. November 29 | Summertime Memories Every child deserves the chance to make summer memories, discover new talents, and find a place to belong. At Rideau Hill Camp in Kemptville, Ontario, children and youth build friendships, grow in confidence, explore Indigenous teachings, and develop leadership skills. Financial assistance tries to ensure that cost doesn’t stand in the way of an unforgettable summer. Gifts with Vision News Keep an eye out for the release of the physical 2026 Gifts with Vision catalogue, landing in mailboxes early November! To order your copy, call us or email info@giftswithvision.ca. Looking to get a head start on Christmas gift planning? Our online catalogue is always available for you to peruse. Go ahead and take a look! Questions? Email Gifts with Vision. You can also call us at 1-844-715-7969. Why be a Mission and Service Volunteer? You might give to Mission and Service, but you’re thinking about taking an extra step and contributing something more. We can help you learn more about what Mission and Service does in Canada and the wider world, so your giving is more informed – and so you can share the story of Mission and Service with your community of faith and anywhere else you like.   As a volunteer, you’ll receive Mission and Service stories for each month in advance, so you’ll have talking points to share. You’ll also receive a chatty email every week with helpful ideas and resources. You can also virtually meet other volunteers and learn about other ways to support Mission and Service! Contact us today to learn more!    Mission and Service Volunteer Program   The United Church of Canada   ms@united-church.ca   1-800-465-3771 Attention Treasurers! Keep an eye on your email inboxes. Mission and Service goal setting information will be arriving soon from the United Church of Canada Foundation. 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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Your October Mission and Service Stories and more!

Support Mission and Service this Thanksgiving! “Come in, come in and sit down.” Community is one of God’s greatest gifts: gathering around a table, sharing what we have, and making room for each other. This Thanksgiving, your community of faith is invited to celebrate that gift by supporting Mission and Service. Generosity helps uplift community meals, breakfast clubs, Out of the Cold programs, and other initiatives that bring people together and offer welcome, care, and connection throughout the year. Members in your community of faith can donate online, by mail, or by phone at 1-800-465-3771. The giving page is online at: unitedchurchfoundation.ca/thanksgiving.  Your October Mission and Service Stories PowerPoint slides for each story are available on the Mission and Service Resources page. October 4 Breakfast Club At Plymouth-Trinity United Church, the weekly breakfast program helps families and community members feel welcome and connected before worship. What began as a response to families arriving late has grown into a gathering that provides food, fellowship, reduces food waste, and creates opportunities for deeper community connection. October 11 The House of Friendship At St. Luke’s United Church, a strong sense of belonging for newcomers is being expressed through intentional welcome, shared meals, and community. Simple acts of hospitality are helping people who are rebuilding their lives to feel supported, known, and at home. October 18 A Circle of Twelve Morogoro Women’s Training Centre in Tanzania is helping mothers of children with disabilities build confidence, skills, financial independence, and community. Agness’s story shows how accompaniment and connection can help women move from isolation toward greater resilience and possibility. October 25 Campus Connections Campus Ministry at Algonquin College provides pastoral care, spiritual support, and practical assistance to students and staff navigating uncertainty. Young adults find a safe and welcoming place to explore faith, find support, and build connections.

Why be a Mission and Service Volunteer? You might be part of the Outreach Committee: you’re looking for new outreach ideas, but nothing is really clicking. We can help you find new partners to support through Mission and Service (and also Gifts with Vision!) and share their stories with your community of faith. As a volunteer, you’ll receive Mission and Service stories for each month well in advance, so you can see what you might want to emphasize in your work and also have talking points to share. 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  Gifts with Vision News Keep an eye out for the release of the physical 2026 Gifts with Vision catalogue, coming out later this Fall! To order your copy, call us or email info@giftswithvision.ca.  You can also browse gifts online. Take a look now! Questions? Email Gifts with Vision. You can also call us at 1-844-715-7969. Beginning with our next issue, the newsletter will be sent by The United Church of Canada Foundation instead of The United Church of Canada. The United Church of Canada Foundation is a separate registered charity that works in partnership with The United Church of Canada. Together, they support the church’s mission by helping donors make meaningful charitable gifts that benefit United Church communities and other charitable organizations. The newsletter, stories and updates you value will remain the same. No action is required. You can unsubscribe at any time using the link in each email. 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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