Page 8 - Presbyterian Connection Newspaper

Connection
8 SUMMER 2019
PRESBYTERIAN
presbyterian.ca
PRESBYTERIANS SHARING
Sharing Our Gifts
Heritage Green Family Church
Proclaiming the love of Jesus Christ
Your gifts put faith into action in Canada and around the world.
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By Karen Plater,
Stewardship and Planned Giving
“Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varie- ties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone.” 1 Corinthi- ans 12:4–6.
Presbyterians Sharing changes lives because Presbyterians are work- ing together as part of the church of Jesus Christ. It’s more than the gen- erous financial contributions sent in by congregations and individuals to support mission and ministry across Canada and around the world—it’s also the time that people invest in committees, working groups and planning teams, the skills shared by coaches and mentors, the prayers offered for mission and ministry, and so much more. When people share their gifts of time, treasure and talent with The Presbyterian Church in Can- ada, they are Presbyterians sharing. Together, we are investing in congre- gational ministries, collaborating on leadership development and living out Christ’s witness in the world.
Over the past few months I have been working with the Stewards by Design planning team to prepare for the final conference in May. Over 300 congregations have par ticipated in Stewards by Design since it was launched as a pilot project 20 years ago. The name was chosen to reflect both that par ticipants are designed to be stewards of God’s grace, and that
the conference equips them to design a stewardship approach unique to their communities. Stewards by De- sign introduced a highly effective edu- cational model: congregations attend- ed the three-day conference in teams of four, experiencing strong worship, excellent teaching and time allotted to work on plans to move forward. Over the years, par ticipants have noted that the conference helped them explore effective ministry techniques as well as how to find the resources (people and money) necessary for what God was calling them to do. Gifts to Pres- byterians Sharing have provided years of suppor t for this innovative confer- ence, equipping hundreds of congre- gations in their mission and ministry.
Stewards by Design is just one of the many creative programs that helps congregations transform their minis- tries through exciting new strategies. Other innovative ideas include New Beginnings (which was highlighted in the last issue of the Presbyterian Connection), the Cyclical program (see page 11), which helps nur ture leaders to star t new ministries, and the Presbyterian Evangelism Network, which helps congregational leaders think of new ways to reach out in their communities. Financial gifts to Presbyterians Sharing are matched by the gifts of time, energy, enthusiasm, experience and skills provided by the coaches and mentors. Together we suppor t and equip leaders to minister in new ways.
Presbyterians Sharing supports theological colleges. In addition to the traditional biblical and theological
teachings, today’s students acquire a diverse skill set that include cultural understanding, problem solving and conflict resolution in order to meet the changing needs of today’s con- gregations. The graduates you see celebrated on pages 6-7 are benefi- ciaries of gifts made to Presbyterians Sharing.
By supporting international part- ners and mission staff with finances, prayers, encouragement and solidar- ity, we share our gifts around the world. The Rev. Dr. Blair and Vivian Bertrand are able to work with PCC partners in Malawi because of Pres- byterians Sharing. Ever since Cy- clone Idai devastated communities in Malawi, Mozambique and Zimba- bwe (see page 22), Vivian has been engaged in helping Churches Action in Relief and Development (CARD) write proposals for emergency items such as food, plastic sheets, cooking pots, water buckets and chlorine to treat water, not to mention agricul- tural items to help people reclaim livelihoods after the loss of crops and livestock. While CARD is re- sponding to the disaster with funds raised through Presbyterian World Service & Development, Vivian’s presence and her gifts of accompani- ment, solidarity and proposal writing are supported through Presbyterians Sharing.
By pooling our gifts, we are able to participate in a mission and ministry that has more impact than we could ever imagine. This is Presbyterians Sharing in action. Thank you for your gifts.