MaST web site and resources for enthusiasts.
Chatting About Mission and Service
Mission and Service
In The United Church of Canada we have a vision of how we participate in God’s mission in the world. This United Vision involves ministry in our own United Churches and in work with partners across the country and around the globe. Our United Vision and our United work is funded by the Mission and Service Fund.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Choosing Where to Give Financial Support
The Bay of Quinte conference offers guidelines for choosing where to offer congregational support.
United Church Relationship with Canada Foodgrains Bank
I have recently had several questions about our relationship with Canada Foodgrains Bank. In case you are wondering....
Canada Foodgrains Bank is a coalition of 13 denominations and religious groups. The United Church has been in the coalition from its beginning. Each year we pay a membership fee from the M&S Fund. Staff time relating to the Foodgrains Bank is also funded by M&S.
Members and congregations of the United Church (as with all the member denominations) make donations of money or grain to the Foodgrains Bank. They also receive some CIDA grants. The gifts of our congregations or individual members determine the equity that we have in the Canada Foodgrains Bank and we (UCC) are able to take that equity to respond to needs as we see fit. And again the staff time required to distribute the gifts is funded by M&S and our ongoing relationships with partners who distribute our equity from Canada Foodgrains Bank are in place because of the M&S Fund.
Canada Foodgrains Bank is a coalition of 13 denominations and religious groups. The United Church has been in the coalition from its beginning. Each year we pay a membership fee from the M&S Fund. Staff time relating to the Foodgrains Bank is also funded by M&S.
Members and congregations of the United Church (as with all the member denominations) make donations of money or grain to the Foodgrains Bank. They also receive some CIDA grants. The gifts of our congregations or individual members determine the equity that we have in the Canada Foodgrains Bank and we (UCC) are able to take that equity to respond to needs as we see fit. And again the staff time required to distribute the gifts is funded by M&S and our ongoing relationships with partners who distribute our equity from Canada Foodgrains Bank are in place because of the M&S Fund.
Friday, December 26, 2008
Earth Day is Everyday - worship idea
I wanted to let you know that we used (but modified) the Enough for All service for Earth Day, along with the bulletins. We used the section "Beyond Sunday" as a bulletin insert. We used lots of natural elements i.e. beeswax candles, river rock, a crystal pitcher of water and fruit and vegetables to signify earth, fire & air. We used the Rainbow Covenant and are sewing the pieces together to be a visible sign of the covenant we made with the earth that Sunday. It will eventually hang in the sanctuary. We handed out green loop ribbons for people to where and put the strips of coloured paper and a pen in the bulletins. We also handed out the 2008 "Care for Creation" calendar to everyone as they left. We will definitely be doing a special service annually!
We had quite a few visitors that day and some of the comments were: "I can't believe that you had a whole service about the Earth!" It was wonderful. My yoga teacher was there and when it was the yoga class she mentioned that it was Earth Day and then expounded on how wonderful our service had been.
We also had a potluck dinner in the auditorium that evening with a showing of "An Inconvenient Truth". We had an information table with lots of handouts for people to take away.
One of our minister's preached again about the earth today and commented on our service and the movie and how it has kept her focused on the environment since that time.
Pat G.
St. Paul's United
Perth
We had quite a few visitors that day and some of the comments were: "I can't believe that you had a whole service about the Earth!" It was wonderful. My yoga teacher was there and when it was the yoga class she mentioned that it was Earth Day and then expounded on how wonderful our service had been.
We also had a potluck dinner in the auditorium that evening with a showing of "An Inconvenient Truth". We had an information table with lots of handouts for people to take away.
One of our minister's preached again about the earth today and commented on our service and the movie and how it has kept her focused on the environment since that time.
Pat G.
St. Paul's United
Perth
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Using M&S Gifts for Local Projects
I have had a number of questions lately that go something like this, "We have a number of interesting local projects that are asking us for funds. Can we use our M&S dollars for this instead of remitting it?"
The quick answer is No.
A more complete answer is this:
Ths Mission and Service Fund (M&S) is not a description of a kind of work, like outreach. It is a fund, a discrete entity with parameters clearly set about how the money in the fund is to be spent. M&S dollars are used to "run" the wider church, to support our congregations and our worship, to do all of our Canadian outreach and advocacy work, to fulfill our commitments to our ecumenical and global partners. Decisions about the allocation of M&S Funds are made by volunteers working on behalf of the whole United Church of Canada.
This is what the Treasurer's Handbook says:
Mission and Service Fund contributions are monies held in trust for the Mission and Service Fund and MAY NOT be used for operating expenses of the pastoral charge or for any other purpose. (my emphasis)
So M&S is not for local outreach. M&S gifts are held in trust and legally and ethically must be remitted to the General Council office to do the work for which they are intended. Local outreach programs are vital to the community and the work done by congregations is indeed a blessing. That work, however, is funded by the local congregation and is a welcome addition to the work that we all do together through M&S.
The quick answer is No.
A more complete answer is this:
Ths Mission and Service Fund (M&S) is not a description of a kind of work, like outreach. It is a fund, a discrete entity with parameters clearly set about how the money in the fund is to be spent. M&S dollars are used to "run" the wider church, to support our congregations and our worship, to do all of our Canadian outreach and advocacy work, to fulfill our commitments to our ecumenical and global partners. Decisions about the allocation of M&S Funds are made by volunteers working on behalf of the whole United Church of Canada.
This is what the Treasurer's Handbook says:
Mission and Service Fund contributions are monies held in trust for the Mission and Service Fund and MAY NOT be used for operating expenses of the pastoral charge or for any other purpose. (my emphasis)
So M&S is not for local outreach. M&S gifts are held in trust and legally and ethically must be remitted to the General Council office to do the work for which they are intended. Local outreach programs are vital to the community and the work done by congregations is indeed a blessing. That work, however, is funded by the local congregation and is a welcome addition to the work that we all do together through M&S.
Stewardship, Outreach, M&S--What's the Difference?
“What is the difference between Mission and Service, Stewardship, and Outreach?” This was the question Kathleen wrote in a letter recently. She added, “My experience has been that the aim of each of those committees is to raise money and give it away where needed. I've been months trying to understand the difference but am no further ahead. However, one more try - can you tell me the difference in these three?”
Here's my response (shared with her consent),
Bear with me as I think out loud about your question. Stewardship has been called "everything we do after we say I believe." That has only really made sense to me recently. I now think of it this way: As Christians we are told by Jesus in the Great Commandment that we must love God, and secondly we must love our neighbour. Part of loving God is knowing that we are greatly blessed and being thankful for that. It also means knowing that everything comes from God and that we are to care for creation and that includes other people.
To love others we must give of ourselves, our talents, and certainly our wealth. Part of this is recognizing that although God gives all to all, it is humanity that has created the great inconsistencies of the “have” and “have nots.” Good stewardship is not giving a bit of what we think of as "ours" to others, but it is recognizing that we are required to help put the inconsistencies right.
That's what I think of as stewardship--honouring all that comes from God and sharing and caring for creation.
Outreach for me is what we do to look beyond our own needs and the needs of those in our immediate circle. Reaching out is not easy if we want to do it well--with respect and integrity, not demeaning others or presuming we know best. So outreach will be what we do in our congregation, our neighbourhood, our community, in the world to lend a hand and share resources whatever they might be.
Mission and Service is both outreach and stewardship. M&S, however, is particular to the national UnitedChurch. M&S is the name of the fund, the vehicle by which we do stewardship as a national church and how we reach out to others as the church.
It is also much more. It is what we do and how we do it. It is about our faith, our worship life, about support for struggling congregations across this wide country, about resources, and educating ministers, as well as all the work in Canada and around the world we might traditionally call outreach.
M&S is how we have decided as members to do our work in the best way, honouring our partners, being careful in our spending, always respecting those with whom we work, remembering that we have not been blessed by God more than others but that history has created differences that we are called to put right.
Not all congregations have three committees--you are lucky if there enough interested people to do the work of three committees. I think all of our work involves stewardship and many congregations do outreach locally that is not included in their M&S work. As UnitedChurch members we support our wider church’s work by giving to M&S, and for others we show that we are the hands and face of Jesus in the world when we do the work of M&S.
But I'm not the expert--it's a conversation that should be ongoing.
Why not join in by clicking Comment below.
Here's my response (shared with her consent),
Bear with me as I think out loud about your question. Stewardship has been called "everything we do after we say I believe." That has only really made sense to me recently. I now think of it this way: As Christians we are told by Jesus in the Great Commandment that we must love God, and secondly we must love our neighbour. Part of loving God is knowing that we are greatly blessed and being thankful for that. It also means knowing that everything comes from God and that we are to care for creation and that includes other people.
To love others we must give of ourselves, our talents, and certainly our wealth. Part of this is recognizing that although God gives all to all, it is humanity that has created the great inconsistencies of the “have” and “have nots.” Good stewardship is not giving a bit of what we think of as "ours" to others, but it is recognizing that we are required to help put the inconsistencies right.
That's what I think of as stewardship--honouring all that comes from God and sharing and caring for creation.
Outreach for me is what we do to look beyond our own needs and the needs of those in our immediate circle. Reaching out is not easy if we want to do it well--with respect and integrity, not demeaning others or presuming we know best. So outreach will be what we do in our congregation, our neighbourhood, our community, in the world to lend a hand and share resources whatever they might be.
Mission and Service is both outreach and stewardship. M&S, however, is particular to the national UnitedChurch. M&S is the name of the fund, the vehicle by which we do stewardship as a national church and how we reach out to others as the church.
It is also much more. It is what we do and how we do it. It is about our faith, our worship life, about support for struggling congregations across this wide country, about resources, and educating ministers, as well as all the work in Canada and around the world we might traditionally call outreach.
M&S is how we have decided as members to do our work in the best way, honouring our partners, being careful in our spending, always respecting those with whom we work, remembering that we have not been blessed by God more than others but that history has created differences that we are called to put right.
Not all congregations have three committees--you are lucky if there enough interested people to do the work of three committees. I think all of our work involves stewardship and many congregations do outreach locally that is not included in their M&S work. As UnitedChurch members we support our wider church’s work by giving to M&S, and for others we show that we are the hands and face of Jesus in the world when we do the work of M&S.
But I'm not the expert--it's a conversation that should be ongoing.
Why not join in by clicking Comment below.
How to Submit your M&S Goal
The following letter has been sent to all pastoral charges with instructions for setting an M&S 2009 goal.
November, 2008
Greetings from the Mission and Service Fund Office!
It is time for you to consider your response to the Mission and Service Fund for 2009. The General Council Executive has set a challenging M&S goal of $32,500,000. We need everyone’s help to reach that target.
Thank you to those who submitted their M&S response online. It saved a lot of time and staff hours here. We appreciate it and M&S is better off because of it.
We also heard that having the mailed forms come directly to the M&S office took some of the work off the shoulders of Presbytery M&S Response contact people. We will continue that practice this year.
As always we ask that you submit your response electronically or by mail by March 31, 2009.
So, How Will It Work?
Submit electronically.
o Go to http://MSresponse.united-church.ca
o Click “Select your conference” and choose your conference.
o Click “Select your presbytery” and choose your presbytery.
o Click “Select your pastoral charge” and choose.
o Fill out the response form.
o Add your passcode at the bottom.
o Click “Save records” and a new page will appear with your info which you can save or print for your records.
o YOU ARE FINISHED!
o What if you made a mistake in the entry or change your mind? Don’t worry! Just redo the above steps, put in the passcode and make corrections. You can make changes until the end of June 2009.
If you prefer you can mail your response form.
M&S Response Forms, Financial Stewardship, United Church of Canada, 3250 Bloor St. west, Suite 300,
Toronto, ON M8X 2Y4
IMPORTANT: A COPY OF THE ENCLOSED RESPONSE FORM SHOULD BE KEPT IN YOUR RECORDS. IT CONTAINS YOUR PASTORAL CHARGE’S PASSCODE WHICH IS THE SAME EACH YEAR!
This new way of submitting M&S Response forms electronically is faster, more accurate, less work for the presbytery reps, and will save a few trees!
BUT…
Where Is All The Rest Of The Stuff?
In past years we have included a workbook, a new M&S worship service, and some M&S information. These resources are still available and you can read or print them from the Web site .
Scroll down to “Response Form Materials” to find copies of a new M&S Worship service and questions and answers about how to decide on your pastoral charge response. If you do not have access to the Web please contact us in Financial Stewardship at 1-800 268-3781 or ms@united-church.ca and we will be happy to mail printed copies to you.
As always thank you for intentionally considering what your response will be to The United Church of Canada through the Mission and Service Fund. Your gifts are vital to our church! Through M&S we put our faith into action and our love is made known.
Julie Kinkaid
Mission and Service Fund Officer
The United Church of Canada 416-231-7680 extension 2023
November, 2008
Greetings from the Mission and Service Fund Office!
It is time for you to consider your response to the Mission and Service Fund for 2009. The General Council Executive has set a challenging M&S goal of $32,500,000. We need everyone’s help to reach that target.
Thank you to those who submitted their M&S response online. It saved a lot of time and staff hours here. We appreciate it and M&S is better off because of it.
We also heard that having the mailed forms come directly to the M&S office took some of the work off the shoulders of Presbytery M&S Response contact people. We will continue that practice this year.
As always we ask that you submit your response electronically or by mail by March 31, 2009.
So, How Will It Work?
Submit electronically.
o Go to http://MSresponse.united-church.ca
o Click “Select your conference” and choose your conference.
o Click “Select your presbytery” and choose your presbytery.
o Click “Select your pastoral charge” and choose.
o Fill out the response form.
o Add your passcode at the bottom.
o Click “Save records” and a new page will appear with your info which you can save or print for your records.
o YOU ARE FINISHED!
o What if you made a mistake in the entry or change your mind? Don’t worry! Just redo the above steps, put in the passcode and make corrections. You can make changes until the end of June 2009.
If you prefer you can mail your response form.
M&S Response Forms, Financial Stewardship, United Church of Canada, 3250 Bloor St. west, Suite 300,
Toronto, ON M8X 2Y4
IMPORTANT: A COPY OF THE ENCLOSED RESPONSE FORM SHOULD BE KEPT IN YOUR RECORDS. IT CONTAINS YOUR PASTORAL CHARGE’S PASSCODE WHICH IS THE SAME EACH YEAR!
This new way of submitting M&S Response forms electronically is faster, more accurate, less work for the presbytery reps, and will save a few trees!
BUT…
Where Is All The Rest Of The Stuff?
In past years we have included a workbook, a new M&S worship service, and some M&S information. These resources are still available and you can read or print them from the Web site .
Scroll down to “Response Form Materials” to find copies of a new M&S Worship service and questions and answers about how to decide on your pastoral charge response. If you do not have access to the Web please contact us in Financial Stewardship at 1-800 268-3781 or ms@united-church.ca and we will be happy to mail printed copies to you.
As always thank you for intentionally considering what your response will be to The United Church of Canada through the Mission and Service Fund. Your gifts are vital to our church! Through M&S we put our faith into action and our love is made known.
Julie Kinkaid
Mission and Service Fund Officer
The United Church of Canada 416-231-7680 extension 2023
Unified Fund Rather Than Designated Giving
People have a need to hear about a real problem and something tangible they can do. Our Western thinking tells us that if we know the problem we can fix it or make it easier. We are used to quick diagnoses and quick fixes. We see television and print ads for a myriad of "causes" that suggest that responding is easy—“Just send $10 a month, and you can even preauthorize so you never have to think about it again!" The young to middle-aged adult is often busy, with little free time, and a very practical "roll-up-the-sleeves and get it done" approach. Quick diagnoses and quick fixes make us feel good. That is not the primary reason for our giving.
Many congregations have success with hands-on outreach work and special campaigns. The difficult task is to encourage these generous folks to include in their thinking the kind of work we support through M&S. The hurts and injustices of the world cannot always be diagnosed or remedied easily or quickly. There are attitudes and centuries-old practices to be considered. There are social injustices created and perpetuated by those with power. This is the long-term work that we as United Church must address, often with our global partners, our ecumenical partners, and our partners here in Canada.
Sometimes we can be in the forefront; most times we will be part of a collective voice. Sometimes we must journey with others to understand how we can be the best partners and be faithful to our understanding of God. Someone wrote, "Justice is the form in which and through which love performs its work. This may require walking in others' shoes in order to experience the injustice which they suffer." An example is our relations with First Nations. They don't always want us to look for a quick fix to the problems created by residential schools. They also need us to be with them in their pain; to share our own pain and regret with them; to provide opportunities through our funding for these mutual meetings to occur; and to give them and us the time needed for healing.
M&S is not only about dollars for bread or medicine. M&S does respond to immediate requirements for food, shelter, education, and healthcare. M&S has provision for emergency relief work when there is a war or hurricane. M&S is mostly about long-term development and commitment for partner support for whatever is needed to sustain development and prevent recurring problems. This kind of work cannot always be measured in terms of concrete items or discrete events. At this point in time and because of our present M&S mandate, it is difficult, and I think unwise, to tie gifts to individual pieces of work. By doing that, we are in danger of elevating some work as worth funding and other work as not interesting or "feel-good" enough to fund.
Some will want to choose a hands-on, concrete cause to support. Hopefully we can show them that it is not a question of either/or for this work and M&S. The bottom line is that there is much work to be done. M&S is the way we work as the church of which we are members or adherents. It is all the work of the church, and it is much more than global or outreach or advocacy or....
Hopefully M&S will be one of the things members will want to support—hopefully the first on their list, since it represents their faith-gift.
It is great to hear directly from our overseas personnel. Wendy Evans stopped at Church House on leave from her work in Nicaragua. This is from a talk she gave and might shed a little light on giving:
What I witnessed within the school's mandate in Nicaragua - both meeting the day-to-day basic needs of students while actively protesting injustices at the national level - and when I look to Jesus' s own ministry, there is no distinction between the personal service or interaction and the larger call for structural change. The two go hand in hand and need to reinforce and balance each other to create a resilient world. There are times when we are called to fill the immediate need, but the essential key is to do so within the long-term vision in a way that is empowering and to recognize we must keep the pressure on policy makers to still provide the permanent answer.
This does not mean that there is no space for immediate answers at all. We do send funds toward daily food, but it is based on a request of need or value made by the school. I helped hand out the food to all 800 kids as they filed through each day. For many it was their only meal. It was truly a sacred time of giving thanks. We also ensure that we are dedicating resources to raising awareness and pushing for change in international policies so that the students one day, along with their family, friends, and fellow citizens, can meet their own basic needs.
Through M&S we don't stop at addressing immediate concerns as expressed by others. Through M&S we do the difficult and patient work of focusing on a long-term vision. Through M&S we stand with others day after
Many congregations have success with hands-on outreach work and special campaigns. The difficult task is to encourage these generous folks to include in their thinking the kind of work we support through M&S. The hurts and injustices of the world cannot always be diagnosed or remedied easily or quickly. There are attitudes and centuries-old practices to be considered. There are social injustices created and perpetuated by those with power. This is the long-term work that we as United Church must address, often with our global partners, our ecumenical partners, and our partners here in Canada.
Sometimes we can be in the forefront; most times we will be part of a collective voice. Sometimes we must journey with others to understand how we can be the best partners and be faithful to our understanding of God. Someone wrote, "Justice is the form in which and through which love performs its work. This may require walking in others' shoes in order to experience the injustice which they suffer." An example is our relations with First Nations. They don't always want us to look for a quick fix to the problems created by residential schools. They also need us to be with them in their pain; to share our own pain and regret with them; to provide opportunities through our funding for these mutual meetings to occur; and to give them and us the time needed for healing.
M&S is not only about dollars for bread or medicine. M&S does respond to immediate requirements for food, shelter, education, and healthcare. M&S has provision for emergency relief work when there is a war or hurricane. M&S is mostly about long-term development and commitment for partner support for whatever is needed to sustain development and prevent recurring problems. This kind of work cannot always be measured in terms of concrete items or discrete events. At this point in time and because of our present M&S mandate, it is difficult, and I think unwise, to tie gifts to individual pieces of work. By doing that, we are in danger of elevating some work as worth funding and other work as not interesting or "feel-good" enough to fund.
Some will want to choose a hands-on, concrete cause to support. Hopefully we can show them that it is not a question of either/or for this work and M&S. The bottom line is that there is much work to be done. M&S is the way we work as the church of which we are members or adherents. It is all the work of the church, and it is much more than global or outreach or advocacy or....
Hopefully M&S will be one of the things members will want to support—hopefully the first on their list, since it represents their faith-gift.
It is great to hear directly from our overseas personnel. Wendy Evans stopped at Church House on leave from her work in Nicaragua. This is from a talk she gave and might shed a little light on giving:
What I witnessed within the school's mandate in Nicaragua - both meeting the day-to-day basic needs of students while actively protesting injustices at the national level - and when I look to Jesus' s own ministry, there is no distinction between the personal service or interaction and the larger call for structural change. The two go hand in hand and need to reinforce and balance each other to create a resilient world. There are times when we are called to fill the immediate need, but the essential key is to do so within the long-term vision in a way that is empowering and to recognize we must keep the pressure on policy makers to still provide the permanent answer.
This does not mean that there is no space for immediate answers at all. We do send funds toward daily food, but it is based on a request of need or value made by the school. I helped hand out the food to all 800 kids as they filed through each day. For many it was their only meal. It was truly a sacred time of giving thanks. We also ensure that we are dedicating resources to raising awareness and pushing for change in international policies so that the students one day, along with their family, friends, and fellow citizens, can meet their own basic needs.
Through M&S we don't stop at addressing immediate concerns as expressed by others. Through M&S we do the difficult and patient work of focusing on a long-term vision. Through M&S we stand with others day after
The M&S Logo - an Interpretation
True Colours
Is it a flame, a hand, a flower? These are some ideas about what our Mission and Service Fund logo represents. But what about the colours of the logo?
The M&S logo is the colour of the rainbow—God’s promise. These are also the colours of the light spectrum. Only when seen together do the colours form the rainbow, only together can they produce light. Our rainbow logo represents the collected and connected work that we do as United Church.
Here is an interpretation of how the colours might illustrate the great diversity of work that you are part of because you are a member of the United Church and because you support M&S.
Red is for passion, the colour of Pentecost. It represents the energy we bring to the work that we do with ecumenical partners in advocating and promoting world peace, justice, and human rights.
Orange is the gold of a chalice, a font, a gilded page--our worship life in the church. The M&S Fund supports theological colleges and intern ministers, produces resources for worship, gives grants for church development, operating, and equipment.
Yellow is the ray of sunshine that we can bring to thousands around the world as we work with global staff and partners to promote education and health care, fight disease and bring emergency relief and long term development to those who need it.
Green is for our earth and the work that we do to promote a cleaner healthier planet.
Blue is for Hope--Hope that we bring to hundreds of people in Canada through our mission support units. These are organizations that we fund to carry on outreach programs, safe houses for women and children, social development work, and support groups.
Purple represents General Council, its meetings, offices, and staff, and funding for the Conference offices.
Together the rainbow, United the church.
Link here for another resource on the colours.
Monday, December 22, 2008
Involve New Readers
This is a responsive reading M&S Enthusiast, Carol Cunday, wrote to use as a Minute for Mission.
It would be a great way to get lots of people to read one Sunday who might then volunteer to read whole stories occasionally. Several readers can read the Letters and the congregation reads the bold part responsively.
M - is for miracles
Our gifts work miracles
I - is for independence
Our gifts give independence to people here in Canada & around the world
S - is for sharing
Sharing what God has so freely given to us
S - is for service
Our service to God
I - is for indigenous
M&S supports indigenous churches around the world
O - is for offer
We can offer more than our goal
N - is for needs
Providing the basic needs to people who have less than we do
&
S - is for smiles
The smiles our gifts put on the faces of people around the world
E - is for elevate
Our gifts raising everyone’s spirit
R - is for rainbows
Making someone’s world colourful – God’s promise to us
V - is for vast & visualize
Try to visualize the vastness of where our M&S dollars are at work
I - is for imagine
Imagine not having clean water or enough food to eat
C - is for Christ
Doing what Jesus would do, helping others
E - is for Enthusiast
The eagerness & zeal that the M&S enthusiast has for the M&S Fund
F - is for faith
Our faith in action, our love made known
U - is for undaunted
M&S enthusiasts are undaunted in their belief in the M&S fund
N - is for non violence
Helping to end the violence of war
D - is for depending
God is depending on us to help others and we can do that through the MISSION & SERVICE FUND
The 2009 Minutes for Mission are available online.
It would be a great way to get lots of people to read one Sunday who might then volunteer to read whole stories occasionally. Several readers can read the Letters and the congregation reads the bold part responsively.
M - is for miracles
Our gifts work miracles
I - is for independence
Our gifts give independence to people here in Canada & around the world
S - is for sharing
Sharing what God has so freely given to us
S - is for service
Our service to God
I - is for indigenous
M&S supports indigenous churches around the world
O - is for offer
We can offer more than our goal
N - is for needs
Providing the basic needs to people who have less than we do
&
S - is for smiles
The smiles our gifts put on the faces of people around the world
E - is for elevate
Our gifts raising everyone’s spirit
R - is for rainbows
Making someone’s world colourful – God’s promise to us
V - is for vast & visualize
Try to visualize the vastness of where our M&S dollars are at work
I - is for imagine
Imagine not having clean water or enough food to eat
C - is for Christ
Doing what Jesus would do, helping others
E - is for Enthusiast
The eagerness & zeal that the M&S enthusiast has for the M&S Fund
F - is for faith
Our faith in action, our love made known
U - is for undaunted
M&S enthusiasts are undaunted in their belief in the M&S fund
N - is for non violence
Helping to end the violence of war
D - is for depending
God is depending on us to help others and we can do that through the MISSION & SERVICE FUND
The 2009 Minutes for Mission are available online.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
M&S or Catalogue Giving
I have been rereading an excellent resource called "The Steward's Notebook" prepared by Terry Parsons of The Episcopal Church in the USA. The following quote addresses many questions about catalogue Advent projects.
"Part of the work God is calling each of us to do is to support the life and work of our congregation. Many of our congregations involve children in giving projects which neglect or even subvert this important lesson. Bringing soap and toothbrushes for children in Afghanistan, collecting money to buy animals for third world families through the Heifer Project and similar projects are excellent learning opportunities but they somehow leave the feeling that the day to day support of the church is boring and can be left to someone else."
Some people ask if the United Church has an animal program or catalogue of items to buy. Let's be clear first on these programs. The items are largely symbolic of the needs that the charity addresses. The Heifer Project says the following: "Every gift to Heifer International represents[my emphasis] a gift to our total mission of purchasing and transporting food and income-producing animals, as well as providing intensive training in animal husbandry; environmentally sound, sustainable farming; community development and global education. Again, gifts designated for a particular project or animal are used as requested until that need is fully met. Any remaining money is put to use where it is needed most
World Vision programs help an entire community: a good thing but maybe not what people expect. "... families...are asked if they'd like to be part of the child sponsorship program, with the understanding that the benefits will be shared by everyone in the community. "
In almost all cases these gifts are symbolic ones. We have not concentrated on developing similar symbolic programs but you can easily and honestly do so. A Gift List From M&S might look like this:
When you give to the Mission and Service Fund you might imagine your money buying these gifts. They are real examples of the work we fund and the gifts we give all year long.
A gift from the Christmas Place in Woodstock, Ontario
A glass of milk at lunch for children at Los Quinchos in Nicaragua
A training session in new technology for farmers in Shangri-la in China
A grant for a United Church intern minister
Home renovations for Angela in North Bay
Marketing counseling for banana growers in Jamaica
A healthy meal at Friends Restaurant, Toronto
Addiction treatment for Cheryl in Toronto’s St. Stephen’s Community House
A visit from the United Church chaplain for Lydia in the hospital 300 kilometers from home
A welcoming United Church presence at Kanehsatake
A clean, safe room at Emmanuel House, St. John’s
Classes in reproductive health for young women in the Kakuma Refugee Camp
A loan for Obsebiaw to start a tailor shop in his village in Zambia
A safe place for a young girl on the street to prepare for the arrival of her baby
A technology grant for a United Church congregation
An exciting and inviting training centre called Calling Lakes Centre for folks in Saskatchewan
Clean clothes and a pair of shoes for Gord who is going on a job interview in Vancouver
A workshop on gender equality for women in Zambia
A warm coat for a child with none in Woodstock or Winnipeg
Sunday worship service at the Longhouse Church in East Vancouver
A literacy class for 45 year old Robert in Hamilton, Ontario
Rehabilitation for accident victim Kwang in Wonju
Eggs, toast, and cereal for children in the breakfast program in Canso, Nova Scotia
A week at a United Church camp for single mom, Janet, and her three children
A wheelchair curling team at the Wonju Hospital Rehabilitation Centre in Korea
For more gift ideas, read any Minute for Mission book or the Mandate M&S Special Edition.
"Part of the work God is calling each of us to do is to support the life and work of our congregation. Many of our congregations involve children in giving projects which neglect or even subvert this important lesson. Bringing soap and toothbrushes for children in Afghanistan, collecting money to buy animals for third world families through the Heifer Project and similar projects are excellent learning opportunities but they somehow leave the feeling that the day to day support of the church is boring and can be left to someone else."
Some people ask if the United Church has an animal program or catalogue of items to buy. Let's be clear first on these programs. The items are largely symbolic of the needs that the charity addresses. The Heifer Project says the following: "Every gift to Heifer International represents[my emphasis] a gift to our total mission of purchasing and transporting food and income-producing animals, as well as providing intensive training in animal husbandry; environmentally sound, sustainable farming; community development and global education. Again, gifts designated for a particular project or animal are used as requested until that need is fully met. Any remaining money is put to use where it is needed most
World Vision programs help an entire community: a good thing but maybe not what people expect. "... families...are asked if they'd like to be part of the child sponsorship program, with the understanding that the benefits will be shared by everyone in the community. "
In almost all cases these gifts are symbolic ones. We have not concentrated on developing similar symbolic programs but you can easily and honestly do so. A Gift List From M&S might look like this:
When you give to the Mission and Service Fund you might imagine your money buying these gifts. They are real examples of the work we fund and the gifts we give all year long.
A gift from the Christmas Place in Woodstock, Ontario
A glass of milk at lunch for children at Los Quinchos in Nicaragua
A training session in new technology for farmers in Shangri-la in China
A grant for a United Church intern minister
Home renovations for Angela in North Bay
Marketing counseling for banana growers in Jamaica
A healthy meal at Friends Restaurant, Toronto
Addiction treatment for Cheryl in Toronto’s St. Stephen’s Community House
A visit from the United Church chaplain for Lydia in the hospital 300 kilometers from home
A welcoming United Church presence at Kanehsatake
A clean, safe room at Emmanuel House, St. John’s
Classes in reproductive health for young women in the Kakuma Refugee Camp
A loan for Obsebiaw to start a tailor shop in his village in Zambia
A safe place for a young girl on the street to prepare for the arrival of her baby
A technology grant for a United Church congregation
An exciting and inviting training centre called Calling Lakes Centre for folks in Saskatchewan
Clean clothes and a pair of shoes for Gord who is going on a job interview in Vancouver
A workshop on gender equality for women in Zambia
A warm coat for a child with none in Woodstock or Winnipeg
Sunday worship service at the Longhouse Church in East Vancouver
A literacy class for 45 year old Robert in Hamilton, Ontario
Rehabilitation for accident victim Kwang in Wonju
Eggs, toast, and cereal for children in the breakfast program in Canso, Nova Scotia
A week at a United Church camp for single mom, Janet, and her three children
A wheelchair curling team at the Wonju Hospital Rehabilitation Centre in Korea
For more gift ideas, read any Minute for Mission book or the Mandate M&S Special Edition.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Pull Up Your Socks
Julie Ashdown says,
"I wanted you to know Jubilee United "pulled up our socks" for M&S and raised $106, raised awareness of the work of M&S, and had some fun. I even wore the tattoo." Click control and this link for Pull Up Your Socks suggestions.
By the way, did you know we have temporary tattoos of the M&S logo? For now they are free of charge to see if there is interest in using them for fun fundraising. Email your request to ms@united-church.ca.
Happy Hat Sunday
Here's an M&S idea from Carolyn Ruda of Montreal and Ottawa Conference:
At Dorval-Strathmore United Church, we make time on the first Sunday of each month to remember our church’s work through the Mission and Service Fund. We take a gratitude moment during the service to celebrate special events in our lives that month, and we make a special offering passing the M&S rainbow-striped hat. (We call it Happy Hat Sunday!) We get to learn about the work of the larger church, celebrate our blessings, and grow as a grateful community. (And we collect an extra gift each month for the M&S Fund!)
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Beautiful 2009 Bulletin Covers
United Church bulletin covers are available all year long. They enhance worship and are an important way to raise money for The United Church of Canada. For less than $10 you can sponsor 100 bulletin covers for a service in your congregation. Click here to see the 2009 flyer.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
December Stepping Stones
Stepping Stones is a newsletter with quick ideas for M&S Enthusiasts. Click here to read the December Stepping Stones
New United Church Overseas Personnel
Overseas Personnel appointment
1. Susan Palmai (Montreal and Ottawa Conference) has been appointed to the World Council of Churches’ Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI) for a three month term. She joined the EAPPI’s Group 29, which began in early November. Susan is the seventh “ecumenical accompanier” sent by the United Church of Canada. A life-long member of the United Church of Canada, and member of Emmanuel Church, Ottawa, Susan trained as a conflict resolution facilitator in the Montreal and Ottawa Conference and has experience working with local churches, assisting them through difficult situations. In her professional life she is a consultant specializing in conflict management and resolution. Susan is married to Robert, has four children, two step-children and two grandchildren.
The World Council of Churches’ Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI) is an initiative under the WCC’s Ecumenical Campaign to End the Illegal Occupation of Palestine. Its mission is to accompany churches in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories in their non-violent actions and concerted advocacy efforts to end the occupation and support a just peace in the Middle East. Participants of the programme monitor and report violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, support acts of non-violent resistance alongside local Christian and Muslim Palestinians and Israeli peace activists, offer protection through non-violent presence, engage in public policy advocacy and, in general, stand in solidarity with the churches and all those struggling against the occupation. The United Church of Canada has participated in the EAPPI since its inception. Information on the EAPPI is available at: http://www.eappi.org/.
Click here to read Letters from United Church of Canada ecumenical accompaniers
Overseas Personnel “Associate” appointments
This category of overseas personnel reflects a relationship between the United Church and a partner based on mission partnership commitments and not on the sharing of financial resources. Most if not all of the funding comes from the receiving partner, and Overseas Personnel Associates become employees of the receiving partner.
1. Kristine Greenaway (Toronto Conference) has been appointed to the World Alliance of Reformed Churches General Secretariat in Geneva to for a two year term beginning January 2009. She will take up the position of Executive Secretary for Communications, a post held by John Asling (Hamilton Conference) for the past three years. Kristine currently serves as a Programme Manager with the World Association for Christian Communication. She served from 1988 to 1999 on the communication staff of the United Church’s General Council first as the Communication Education Coordinator and eventually managing resource distribution. From 1999 to 2002 she served on the staff of the World Council of Churches, as Special Advisor for Communication to the General Secretary and then as Director of Communication. Kristine is a life-long member of The United Church of Canada and attends Rosedale United Church in Toronto.
The World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) is a fellowship of 75 million Reformed Christians in 214 churches in 107 countries. Its member churches are Congregational, Presbyterian, Reformed and United churches with roots in the 16th-century Reformation led by John Calvin, John Knox and others. WARC has a small secretariat in Geneva, Switzerland. It is one of the United Church’s “global ecumenical” partners. Its Communications Office works to create greater awareness and understanding of the life and work of WARC and to build a sense of communion among member churches. The United Church through the JGER Unit has been particularly involved in WARC’s programmatic work, particularly related to the 2004 “Accra Confession”. The United Church through the JGER Unit is actively involved in WARC’s Covenanting for Justice in the Economy and the Earth Project, “working to build a movement of churches and communities which are active in the struggle for justice and peace and therefore a beacon of hope for life in fullness for all”. Information about WARC may be found on its website.
2. Shinji Kawano (Toronto Conference) begins a five-year term of service in February 2009 with the United Church of Christ in Japan (KYODAN), serving as an Overseas Personnel “Associate”. Shinji will serve as pastor of Junishito Church congregation in the city of Sapporo, on the northern island of Hokkaido. He was ordained by the Reformed Church of America in 1984 and was received as ministry personnel in The United Church of Canada in 1987. Since 2001, Shinji has served as minister to the Toronto Japanese United Church. Shinji is married to Ellen; together they have two adult sons.
The United Church of Christ in Japan—KYODAN is a long-time global partner of the United Church of Canada. It is the largest Protestant church in Japan, although Christians make up less than one percent of the total Japanese population. The United Church of Canada has sent and received many mission personnel to and from the Kyodan. The appointment of Shinji, fully funded by the Junishito congregation reflects the cooperative mission partnership between the two churches as one that today is based on the sharing of people and experience, and not on money.
Omega Bula
Executive Minister
Justice, Global and Ecumenical Relations Unit
1. Susan Palmai (Montreal and Ottawa Conference) has been appointed to the World Council of Churches’ Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI) for a three month term. She joined the EAPPI’s Group 29, which began in early November. Susan is the seventh “ecumenical accompanier” sent by the United Church of Canada. A life-long member of the United Church of Canada, and member of Emmanuel Church, Ottawa, Susan trained as a conflict resolution facilitator in the Montreal and Ottawa Conference and has experience working with local churches, assisting them through difficult situations. In her professional life she is a consultant specializing in conflict management and resolution. Susan is married to Robert, has four children, two step-children and two grandchildren.
The World Council of Churches’ Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI) is an initiative under the WCC’s Ecumenical Campaign to End the Illegal Occupation of Palestine. Its mission is to accompany churches in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories in their non-violent actions and concerted advocacy efforts to end the occupation and support a just peace in the Middle East. Participants of the programme monitor and report violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, support acts of non-violent resistance alongside local Christian and Muslim Palestinians and Israeli peace activists, offer protection through non-violent presence, engage in public policy advocacy and, in general, stand in solidarity with the churches and all those struggling against the occupation. The United Church of Canada has participated in the EAPPI since its inception. Information on the EAPPI is available at: http://www.eappi.org/.
Click here to read Letters from United Church of Canada ecumenical accompaniers
Overseas Personnel “Associate” appointments
This category of overseas personnel reflects a relationship between the United Church and a partner based on mission partnership commitments and not on the sharing of financial resources. Most if not all of the funding comes from the receiving partner, and Overseas Personnel Associates become employees of the receiving partner.
1. Kristine Greenaway (Toronto Conference) has been appointed to the World Alliance of Reformed Churches General Secretariat in Geneva to for a two year term beginning January 2009. She will take up the position of Executive Secretary for Communications, a post held by John Asling (Hamilton Conference) for the past three years. Kristine currently serves as a Programme Manager with the World Association for Christian Communication. She served from 1988 to 1999 on the communication staff of the United Church’s General Council first as the Communication Education Coordinator and eventually managing resource distribution. From 1999 to 2002 she served on the staff of the World Council of Churches, as Special Advisor for Communication to the General Secretary and then as Director of Communication. Kristine is a life-long member of The United Church of Canada and attends Rosedale United Church in Toronto.
The World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) is a fellowship of 75 million Reformed Christians in 214 churches in 107 countries. Its member churches are Congregational, Presbyterian, Reformed and United churches with roots in the 16th-century Reformation led by John Calvin, John Knox and others. WARC has a small secretariat in Geneva, Switzerland. It is one of the United Church’s “global ecumenical” partners. Its Communications Office works to create greater awareness and understanding of the life and work of WARC and to build a sense of communion among member churches. The United Church through the JGER Unit has been particularly involved in WARC’s programmatic work, particularly related to the 2004 “Accra Confession”. The United Church through the JGER Unit is actively involved in WARC’s Covenanting for Justice in the Economy and the Earth Project, “working to build a movement of churches and communities which are active in the struggle for justice and peace and therefore a beacon of hope for life in fullness for all”. Information about WARC may be found on its website.
2. Shinji Kawano (Toronto Conference) begins a five-year term of service in February 2009 with the United Church of Christ in Japan (KYODAN), serving as an Overseas Personnel “Associate”. Shinji will serve as pastor of Junishito Church congregation in the city of Sapporo, on the northern island of Hokkaido. He was ordained by the Reformed Church of America in 1984 and was received as ministry personnel in The United Church of Canada in 1987. Since 2001, Shinji has served as minister to the Toronto Japanese United Church. Shinji is married to Ellen; together they have two adult sons.
The United Church of Christ in Japan—KYODAN is a long-time global partner of the United Church of Canada. It is the largest Protestant church in Japan, although Christians make up less than one percent of the total Japanese population. The United Church of Canada has sent and received many mission personnel to and from the Kyodan. The appointment of Shinji, fully funded by the Junishito congregation reflects the cooperative mission partnership between the two churches as one that today is based on the sharing of people and experience, and not on money.
Omega Bula
Executive Minister
Justice, Global and Ecumenical Relations Unit
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Moderator Writes a Prayer for Bethlehem as a Message of Peace
As many Christians around the world prepare to celebrate Christmas in the security of their homes and communities, they are being invited to pray for justice, peace, and security for Palestine and Israel. They are also being asked to reach out to those who are living in the Holy Land.
Since December 2000, a Christmas tradition of sending peace messages to Bethlehem has taken root. This year, the project is being carried out in collaboration with the World Council of Churches and its Palestine Israel Ecumenical Forum.
"Delivering a wish or a prayer by e-mail is an important way of communicating with many people who long to hear a word of hope," explains Wendy Gichuru, The United Church of Canada’s program coordinator for the Middle East. "People in Bethlehem greatly appreciate receiving wishes and prayers from people outside the region. These messages are one way of breaking through the isolation in which they live."
Gichuru adds that this year the Moderator of The United Church of Canada, the Right Rev. David Giuliano, is participating in the program and has written a prayer of solidarity and encouragement to the people of Bethlehem.
He is encouraging other United Church people and congregations to send their own wishes and prayers as well. You can e-mail your Christmas messages and prayers for peace before December 25, 2008 (Western Christmas) and/or January 7, 2009 (Eastern Christmas) to the Arab Educational Institute (aei@p-ol.com).
These e-mails will be printed and handed out as personal messages and educational materials (at schools), in the context of interfaith prayers (in places of worship), and in the newly established peace house of the Arab Educational Institute opposite the Israeli "separation wall" at Rachel’s Tomb in Bethlehem. The wishes and prayers could also include ideas for non-violent actions.
For many years, the United Church has joined with Palestinians and Israelis in working and praying for peace. In a letter to the Prime Minister in January of this year, the Moderator expressed deep concern for the violence and isolation experienced by people of Gaza, who continue to live under siege.
"In the excitement of Christmas, we must not forget those deprived of the basic necessities of life and the freedom to visit and celebrate with family and friends," says Gichuru.
For the full text of the Moderator’s Prayer for Bethlehem, please visit The United Church of Canada’s website at http://www.united-church.ca/.
Since December 2000, a Christmas tradition of sending peace messages to Bethlehem has taken root. This year, the project is being carried out in collaboration with the World Council of Churches and its Palestine Israel Ecumenical Forum.
"Delivering a wish or a prayer by e-mail is an important way of communicating with many people who long to hear a word of hope," explains Wendy Gichuru, The United Church of Canada’s program coordinator for the Middle East. "People in Bethlehem greatly appreciate receiving wishes and prayers from people outside the region. These messages are one way of breaking through the isolation in which they live."
Gichuru adds that this year the Moderator of The United Church of Canada, the Right Rev. David Giuliano, is participating in the program and has written a prayer of solidarity and encouragement to the people of Bethlehem.
He is encouraging other United Church people and congregations to send their own wishes and prayers as well. You can e-mail your Christmas messages and prayers for peace before December 25, 2008 (Western Christmas) and/or January 7, 2009 (Eastern Christmas) to the Arab Educational Institute (aei@p-ol.com).
These e-mails will be printed and handed out as personal messages and educational materials (at schools), in the context of interfaith prayers (in places of worship), and in the newly established peace house of the Arab Educational Institute opposite the Israeli "separation wall" at Rachel’s Tomb in Bethlehem. The wishes and prayers could also include ideas for non-violent actions.
For many years, the United Church has joined with Palestinians and Israelis in working and praying for peace. In a letter to the Prime Minister in January of this year, the Moderator expressed deep concern for the violence and isolation experienced by people of Gaza, who continue to live under siege.
"In the excitement of Christmas, we must not forget those deprived of the basic necessities of life and the freedom to visit and celebrate with family and friends," says Gichuru.
For the full text of the Moderator’s Prayer for Bethlehem, please visit The United Church of Canada’s website at http://www.united-church.ca/.
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