Growing up in church, I learned from a young age how to participate in the collection of the morning’s offering.  When the traditional brass offering plates were passed along, my dad would hand out coins and dollar bills to my siblings and me.  Looking back, I now know the majority of my family’s gifts were found in the envelope that my dad dropped into the plate.  But there was something genuinely fun about being able to drop in my own coin or two and feel like I was a part of what the whole congregation was doing.

The Strengthen the Church offering is a chance to teach about giving in a joyful way.  This is one of the Special Mission Offerings of the United Church of Christ that is designated to support leadership development, youth and young adult ministries, and new and renewing congregations.  The collection is split between the National Ministries and Conferences.  This year’s theme for the offering, Great and Wide, speaks to the many varied ministries the offering supports across the UCC.  It’s a chance to teach those of all ages to participate and join together in building up our congregations.

For many congregations, the recommended offering date of June 8^th already marks the creative and Spirit-filled celebration of Pentecost.  To celebrate the offering, I encourage you to use the promotional resources and try one of the following:

• Use the paper chain prayer in a children’s message.  Each link is a way to visually represent a recipient of the offering.  Fill in additional links to represent your Conference!
• Print out the poster in black and white form and encourage folks in your church to color it in.  Big coloring pages are great intergenerational activities. 
• Share the story of Flicker Wild Church, a congregation bursting outside of traditional walls to worship and welcome in new ways.  This could be in a mission moment or in a newsletter article.

If you have any questions about the Strengthen the Church offering or any of the Special Mission Offerings of the UCC, I encourage you to be in touch.

Blessings,

Rachel McDonald