Fall M&S News

In the church it is a busy time getting back into routines, considering next year’s budget, working on stewardship programs, and preparing for the Advent season.

In your congregation, encourage discussions about all of the Mission and Service of the church in Canada and in the world when working on next year’s budget. Use the M&S resources listed below or church bulletins and Minutes for Mission to help celebrate and build excitement about Mission and Service and the positive changes our church makes in the world.

Here are some ideas to help with your fall Mission and Service activities.

Use the Advent Candle-lighting services.

Check out the latest Philanthropy newsletter and meet the new Director of Philanthropy for The United Church of Canada.

The United Church of Canada 2010 Annual Report has been mailed to congregations. Use it to share the good news about the Mission and Service work of the church.

To Do List for October

• Have you ordered your Christmas envelopes? Contact UCRD online at http://www.ucrdstore.ca/ or by phone at 416-253-5456 (local Toronto area) or toll-free 1-800-288-7365 and order envelopes #300 000 959.

• Consider giving a Christmas gift to your church children. M&S for Kids is #300001037 at UCRD and the sequel Hand in Hand is #CH10375. Both are $1.50. Hand in Hand has material for both young children and older kids, and there are ideas about how the two ages can work hand-in-hand to learn about the mission and service work of the church.
• We often think about consumerism in the months preceding Christmas. The dangers of marketing and consumerism are the topics of Overturning the Tables: Consumerism, Children and the Church. It offers lots of relevant information and also gives suggestions to individuals and to the church for overturning the trend. Purchase it from UCRD for $10.95 (#9781551341675.)
• The 2012 church calendar can be part of your fall fairs or fund-raisers (# CH10741.) The calendar features photos of stained-glass windows from United Churches across the country and can be ordered in bulk to save money.
If you have questions about any of the material in this newsletter or would like more information about Mission and Service, contact ms@united-church.ca or call 416-231-5931, Toll-Free: 1-800-268-3781 and speak to the Philanthropy Unit.