Where Does My Christmas Offering Go?
Justice and Joy Ministry
Compassion, Healing, Education, Power, Wellness, Wisdom
The Christmas Season is here! We all know this is a time of giving, but do you know why we have a special Christmas offering, particularly so soon after the Stewardship Campaign? The donations the church receives in this special offering, as well as Thanksgiving and Easter, are delegated to our Justice and Joy Ministries.
Perhaps you are new to our church, or you are long-term members who haven’t explored our website recently, which is where we reveal all of the community outreach ministries we support. By support, I mean the members who participate in these ministries giving of their time, energy, and passion to help others through funding, volunteering, education, and so many other ways. Here are the ministries currently part of the SUM Justice and Joy program:
Northwestern CT Community College Food Pantry
Welcoming Project (refugee settlement)
South Park Inn (meal preparation)
Kenya Project (education opportunities)
Pollinator Garden & Environment
Covenant to Care for Children
Days for Girls
Friendly Visitor
Susanna Circle
For All Ages
Diversity & Inclusion and Interfaith education
Veteran Care
Meal Packing
Disaster Recovery
Quilts Beyond Borders
The United Methodist Church has a long history of advocating for social justice. The early Methodists expressed their opposition to societal ills such as slavery, smuggling, inhumane prison conditions, alcohol abuse, and child labor. Today United Methodists work, march, and pray for racial justice, environmental care, and fair treatment for everyone.
The programs listed above are run by your friends and neighbors, the folks who sit in the pews next to you each week. They do this because they feel passionate about their projects and the impact they can make on other people’s lives.
The money you will donate in this Christmas offering allows these volunteers to continue their good work. And all special holiday offerings—including Thanksgiving offerings—are given to the SUM J&J fund to be distributed after thorough discussion and prayerful consideration of the J&J team.
The need never ends, and so we will continue to ask for your support, large or small, as you consider this wonderful time of faith, joy, and giving.
Eileen Brogan