A word from Christmas Joy
by Alan Krome,
associate for
special offerings
The theme for the 2007 Christmas Joy Offering is “Good
News of Great Joy,” focusing on the news that the
shepherds heard that brought them first to their knees
and then to the stable where an extraordinary revelation
of God’s love for the world was quietly beginning in a
manger. We, the Christmas Joy Offering staff, hope that
the offering will keep faith with the spirit of that news as
we continue to explore new ways of relating to one
another. Our intent is that these changes will make it
easier for congregations to share how the offering can
be a channel for members to share God’s love.
Last year the Christmas Joy Offering was the first
offering to begin the shift to a new way of making
offering resources available to congregations: the standing
order mode. There were a number of problems in making
this transition, but by now, the process is well under way
for its second year. This summer you should have
received a confirmation letter from us. The letter shows
what our records indicate you would like to receive this
year and asks you to change the information if it is not
accurate. You should receive your shipment of those
materials by late September. If you have not received
them by the end of the first week in October, please
contact the Office of Special Offerings.
We are also using electronic means to make it easier
for congregations to find and use materials that can help
interpret the offering. Most of the resources available in
print are also available either on a CD or on the Christmas
Joy Offering Web site. In
addition to PowerPoint presentations, which we have
provided for the past couple of years, the CD will include
printable copies of some resources, whether text items
such as worship materials and minutes for mission or
graphics such as the poster art, “clip art” renditions of
that art and the place mat.
We invite congregations to share your stories of how
you promoted the offering, as well as any comments on
how we can make your job easier or more creative. |
