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What is Mission and Services - Not Just Another Charity* |
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As I was reading a United Church congregational brochure one day I was surprised to see a mention of collecting gifts for the Mission and Service Fund charity. I looked around the empty hall wanting to say, "The Mission and Service Fund is not a charity." Since no one was in earshot, I saved my response for here. Many organizations work for a better world by addressing one cause or another. The Mission and Service Fund, on the other hand, is the unique way we as United Church witness to God's love, whether it be with overseas partners, in Canadian outreach, in hospital or university chaplaincies, in supporting small congregations, or in assisting intern ministers. It is not really possible to compare the M&S Fund to any charity-it is much bigger, more encompassing than any of these. It is the church. The M&S Fund represents our collective way to be God's presence in the world—to be the church, to love and serve, to seek justice, to live with respect in creation. It gives us a collective voice in advocating change, justice, and peace, whether through the Canadian government or in work with our ecumenical partners. The M&S Fund ensures that we are participating together in all of this work and more. It has been said that "for Christians giving isn't an option," and for United Church members, M&S shouldn't be. We all make decisions about which charities we want to support. For United Church members, the M&S Fund should not be part of that decision. M&S is not a charity; M&S is who we are and what we do. It's the United Church faith in action. *From United Church of Canada Website http://www.united-church.ca/funding/msfund/about/101 |
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 19 March 2008 13:12 )
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Trinity's White Gifts program is an ongoing Outreach Activity where grocery items and funds donated by the Congregation of Trinity, as well as community and individual sponsors, are taken personally to homes of needy families within the community at Easter, the beginning of the School Year, Thanksgiving, Christmas and in emergency situations. Trinity's Outreach Ministry maintains a food hamper in the narthex at all times. Members of the congregation bring a non-perishable food item every Sunday allowing us to provide a reserve of food to distribute to those in need. For more information on any of these White Gift Programs please contact Linda Roberts through the Church office 905-845-3152. |
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 19 March 2008 14:07 )
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Roofs is an Outreach Activity of Trinity where pennies are saved, collected, rolled and banked for aiding villages in India to build houses, schools, and to help with various developmental programs. Monies raised are usually sent directly to the program director, Mrs. Savithri Devanesen, in Madras, India.
This picture shows how your pennies add up and what they can do to change living conditions for others. For more information contact: Savithri Devanesen, Director
Flat 5 College Park Apartment 4-A
Manonmaniammal Rd.
Kilpauk, Chennai 600010 India
e-mail:
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The Trinity Coordinator and link to Roof for the Roofless program in India is Joan Cooke. You can can reach Joan by contacting our church office at 905-845-3152 or through the "contact us" section of this web page. |
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 19 March 2008 13:03 )
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