Thursday, July 17, 2025

God's Mission Our Gifts: Your August Mission and Service Stories and more!

Your August Mission and Service Stories

PowerPoint slides for each story are available on the Mission and Service in Worship page.

AUGUST 3
Wonder and Worship in the Wilderness

[Image credit: Cave Springs Camp]

United Church camps create space for children and youth to grow in faith, friendship, and love for the earth. Among whispering trees and winding trails, young hearts open to wonder, discovery, and connection. 

AUGUST 10
General Council 45

[Image credit:The United Church of Canada]

When the church gathers in love, listens in faith, and decides with courage, something beautiful is born...a church ready to move forward, together.

AUGUST 17
Ladles of Love

[Image credit:Joyce MacLeod, Spring Park United Church]

At Spring Park United Church in Charlottetown, PEI, the annual Soup Luncheon in support of Mission and Service has grown into something truly special – a celebration of community, compassion, and connection.  

AUGUST 24
Framed by Creation 

[Image credit:Waterton United Church]

Waterton United Church rests in the heart of Waterton Lakes National Park in Alberta, where wind brushes the tall grass and mountains rise like blessings above the lake. Surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty, the church is a place of welcome, wonder, and worship. A sanctuary within a sanctuary.

AUGUST 31
Education Shaped by Compassion

[Image credit: Joint Christian Committee for Social Service]

Our global partners understand that education is more than just access to classrooms or books. It’s a foundation for hope, dignity, and lasting change.

Are You Attending GC45?
You May Be Interested in This


Air travel to Calgary for GC45 will contribute significantly to our collective carbon emissions.  Are you wondering how you can take some responsibility for this? 
 
Good news! You can now offset your air travel by supporting communities in Kenya who are on the front lines of climate change.  Consider making a donation based on your flight duration
 
  • $15 Short haul roundtrip (1- 3 hour) flight 
  • $25 Medium haul roundtrip (3 - 6 hour) flight 
  • $50 Long haul roundtrip (6 – 9 hour) flight 

Your gift to Mission and Service supports the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) working directly with communities in Kitui County. They are implementing effective nature-based solutions – from teaching sustainable beekeeping and biodiversity use for livelihoods, to vital land and water management like tree-planting and creating shade to conserve water in the soil. 

This program strengthens communities, increases food security, and promotes sustainable safety nets to withstand climate shocks, directly engaging farmers, young mothers, churches, and schools, and positively impacting the lives of 11,000+ people.  

This vital work is done in partnership with The United Church of Canada and the Canadian Foodgrains Bank. Join us in making a tangible difference for our planet and its people. 

A big thank you to all those who are choosing low(er) carbon options for their travel through carpooling and public transit, and to all who encourage and initiate action for the planet.   
Offset Travel and Support Climate Action Today!

2025 Northern Pastors Retreat – You’re Making It Possible

 
Northern Ministers Retreat Video tile with Play button
[Image credit still: The United Church of Canada]
 
Thank you. Truly.
 
This fall, Northern Indigenous ministers will gather for a much-needed time of rest, renewal, and restoration. It will be a circle of support, a place to share stories, hold ceremony, and be with others who understand the journey.
 
This retreat will be a reality because of you.
 
Many Northern Indigenous ministers who will attend serve in communities directly impacted by wildfires. They've helped their people through evacuations, uncertainty, and long recoveries. Out of care for both the land and the people, the retreat's timing has been shifted from September to October, to allow as many as possible to attend. The need for this gathering hasn't gone away; in fact, it's become even more urgent.
 
Your support, your prayers, and your generosity are creating space for healing. For so many of these ministers, who serve in remote communities and carry so much, this retreat is a rare and meaningful gift.
 
If you have already made a donation to this campaign, thank you. If you feel moved to give again, or for the first time, your support will be deeply felt. You can make a gift online, by phone at 1-800-465-3771, or by mail.
 
Thank you for helping make this gathering possible. Thank you for standing with those who lead with courage, care, and spirit.

Congregational Stewardship and Generosity


This is your resource to help you grow generous disciples and gather the resources you need to do God’s mission. Please modify and use these ideas in your context.
 

Stewardship Myth Busted!
 

In our new stewardship blog "Everything Old Is New Again," the Rev. Brenna Baker busts the current myth: “I shouldn’t have to ask people to give.” This is a must read.
 
Was stewardship really easier in the past?
 
Find out.
 
Take care. God loves you!

Rev. Dave

Summer Pick-Me-Up!

Are you looking for an easy pick-me-up for YOUR spirits? Why not send a short thank-you note to people you have noticed doing something to help your church achieve their purpose? Tell them how they matter and how grateful you are for their generosity. Writing some personal thank-you notes is a great investment in generosity and relationships. Let people know you notice them!

Resources You Need!


Free Themed Stewardship Resource Kits
The Starter Kit, Digging Deeper Kit, Stewardship program Kit, Planned Legacy Giving Kit. Get them at Free Stewardship Resource Kits.
 
Stewardship Seconds (updated for July-December 2025!)
Short, pithy sayings that pack a punch, to help infiltrate stewardship thinking into your community of faith. Add them to newsletters, worship, announcements, webpages, wherever people gather!  Find them at the Stewardship in Worship webpage.
 
Offering Introductions & Dedication Prayers (updated for July-December 2025!)
The offering time in worship is NOT about collecting money! It is about growing generous disciples and stewards. These Offering Introductions and Dedication Prayers for each Sunday of the year will help. Find them at the Stewardship in Worship webpage.

Get the Stewardship Support You Need

The people and resources to help you succeed are here.

There’s Something New for You on ChurchHub

Have you logged onto ChurchHub recently? If not, there’s a NEW Mission and Service page waiting for you to discover. Just look for the “Your Mission and Service” tile! 

On the new Mission and Service page, you can:
  • set your Mission and Service goal and submit it
  • learn about all the ways to transfer your Mission and Service funds to the General Council Office
  • schedule time with your Stewardship Representative to review your past five years of Mission and Service giving (they do great coaching too!)
There’s even a link to ask questions. Give it a try!

Why be a Mission and Service Volunteer?

What do you feel called to do? There's a place for you!

You might have Community Spirit: You’re already involved in your community of faith or your local community – or maybe you want to find a way to be more involved. Volunteering for Mission and Service is a good way to start.
As a volunteer, you can choose to send handwritten thank-you cards to donors from lists we provide (we also provide the cards and stamps!) 
 
It’s easy to take the next step to become a Mission and Service volunteer. Just call us at 1-800-465-3771 or email ms@united-church.ca.
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
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Facebook
Website
Website
Email
Email
Instagram
Instagram
YouTube
YouTube
LinkedIn
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. 
Copyright © 2025 The United Church of Canada, All rights reserved.

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