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Stewardship & Gifts

Generosity is our response to God’s call to be compassionate disciples. Together, the people of the United Church live out Jesus’ vision and values by caring for each other and the world. Each and every day, we join God’s life-changing mission to make ourselves, our community and our world more peaceful, just and loving for everyone. “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10b)

Called to Be the Church: The Journey – Stewardship Update – March 2024

 

My Latest Stewardship Blog“Teamwork Makes the Stewardship Dream Work”

Upcoming Stewardship Events – Spring 2024. See here: Called to Be the Church: The Journey

  • Getting Started in Stewardship–The place to begin! Communities of faith that start here have better success on their stewardship journey. The 90-minute session and 3 follow-up assignments get you ready to proceed to other stewardship programs. April 10, 2024
  • Bequests and Estate Giving Spring 2024– Join Jess Smith (United Church Foundation) and I for a two-session webinar on how your community of faith can set up your Planned Legacy Program and inspire and invite planned gifts. April 24 and May 8, 2024

Mission and Service – This note from Sarah Charters (our Executive Officer of Philanthropy). We would like to thank all the Communities of Faith who forwarded their contributions on time allowing our finance team to provide us with these numbers earlier than in previous years. We would also like to express our heartfelt appreciation for the ongoing and generous support you have given to Mission and Service.

There is good news to report. The Mission and Service contributions by Congregations, UCW and Special Donations all exceeded budget and the totals for these three areas, sitting at $17,090,056, were slightly over the 2022 actuals of $17,062,694. In addition, out of the 19 regions, only one was under the 2022 contributions and that was by a small amount.

The amounts raised for Mission and Service from Direct Gifts, Foundation Gifts and Legacies were below budget, as well as below the 2022 actual amounts. The total for these three areas in 2023 was $3,741,507, which was below the 2022 actuals of $4,069,520.

For this initial report, the total for Mission and Service from these areas was $20,831,564. This compares favourably to the total budget of $20,225,000, and is close to the 2022 actual amount raised of $21,132,213.

Book a time to talk about stewardship
Roger Janes is your stewardship support person and is available to share resources, answer questions, or brainstorm with. Don’t know where to start? Book a phone or zoom conversation with Roger today using this link.

joining God’s mission

Mission & Service changes lives. When you give to Mission and Service, you make a profound difference. Through an astounding variety of life-changing ministries and programs in Canada and around the world —including Global and Canadian justice initiatives, Indigenous ministries, community outreach centers, faith formation, innovative ministries and more — your gifts change and save lives. Donate to  Mission and Service today!

Gifts With Vision is where your gifts meet the world’s need. Each year’s gift catalogue offers a glimpse of the church’s Mission and Service ministries. It includes gift ideas to suit every interest, budget, and person. Whether you feel God is calling you to care for the environment, support marginalized people through a unique outreach program, or promote Right Relations, Gifts with Vision ensures your gift reflects your values. A thoughtful, year-round gift giving opportunity!

The Healing Fund is one facet of the United Church’s ongoing work of reconciliation with Indigenous people addressing the long-term effects of residential schools. The Healing Fund is used to support innovative and effective programs in Indigenous communities that are helping people in the healing process.

The Emergency Response Fund is one way the United Church responds to urgent needs. Discover the world of difference United Church people are making at our  Act Now web page.  Learn about other funds on our website.

Stewarding God’s gifts

Stewardship is everything we think, say, and do after we say “I believe.” Stewardship is all about discipleship – following Jesus’ example in every aspect of life including how we spend our time, take care of our body, direct our talent, set financial priorities and care for the environment. Discover stewardship tips and practical resources for you and your faith community at Called to Be the Church: The Journey | The United Church of Canada (united-church.ca)

Called To Be The Church: The Giving Program is an annual stewardship resource that will help your faith community become even more generous and make a bigger difference in your community and world. For additional support and coaching to carry out your Stewardship Giving Program, please visit Congregational Giving Program module—Do It with Us | The United Church of Canada (united-church.ca), you will inspire people to change lives, invite people to join others to make a difference and thank them for their generosity. Available in print and online, Called to Be the Church is a free, always fresh resource to help you build and sustain generosity in your community of faith.

realizing God’s vision

Legacy Gifts make a lasting, meaningful difference that brings Christ’s vital message of compassion and hope to others. Leave a legacy of care and compassion through a bequest in your Will, a gift of life insurance or another type of legacy gift. Learn more about how to leave a legacy gift and/or reach out to your regional Stewardship & Gifts Officer, Roger Janes, for more information.

The United Church Foundation puts your dreams for your church into action. The Foundation raises, invests and grants funds to grow faith, develop community, restore healing, and promote peace and justice at home and abroad. Find out more about how the United Church Foundation helps generous United Church people like you make a difference in our world and sustain the work of your church.

Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

2 Corinthians 9:7

Your generosity makes a difference…

Mission and Service

You are at the heart of Mission and Ministry when you give to Mission and Service. By making Mission and Service a part of our giving, we answer God’s call to help mend the world. Each and every day, your gifts – our gifts – transform lives. Together, we make more of a difference that we ever could alone.