Dear Church Leader,
David Rangel grew up in a low-income neighborhood in Monterrey, Mexico. His family was a devoted Christian family and at the age of 15, Rangel got involved in ministry. “I was the youth coordinator, the praise band leader, and later one of the young adult small group leaders. After I graduated from the engineering school in Monterrey, that same year I undertook a mission trip to Dallas, TX, to help a United Methodist church connect with its immediate community,” said Rangel. This experience changed his career path and Rangel decided to pursue doctorate study in ministry at Perkins School of Theology. However, he needed the funds to fulfill his goal.
“Through the World Communion Sunday scholarship, I feel the unconditional support from people [whom] I have never met. It has taught me what generosity can do in and for the body of Christ,” he continued. Today, Rangel is a leader in the North Texas Conference.
World Communion Sunday (WCS) is this Sunday—October 1, 2023. Share in the dreams of United Methodist students who aspire to make positive changes in their communities but do not have the means to achieve their aspirations. Use the resources below to inspire your congregation to give generously to the World Communion Sunday offering:
- read the WCS Mission Moments and More vignette that explains how your gifts change lives. Share the scripture reading and offertory prayer with your congregation or use the Offering Talk provided in the pastor and leader kit to introduce the offering,
- encourage the speaker to emphasize ideas from the Sermon Starter,
- print and place the Mini Poster in a prominent place so that congregants will see it,
- ask your greeters to give a Bulletin Insert to congregants as they enter the sanctuary,
- promote personal participation in the worship service by using the Liturgy,
- encourage your members to pray for our students and the success of World Communion Sunday Scholarship ministries,
- post Social Media Graphics on your social media platform to encourage members and visitors to participate in the celebration,
- share the offering received and thank the congregation for their generosity,
- prepare to send the offering to your annual conference treasurer, and
- customize the reminder copy below or use it on your social media platforms to remind church members about this Sunday’s WCS celebration.
The World Communion Sunday offering supports World Communion Scholarships for graduate and undergraduate degrees and grants for worldwide inclusion, diversity, equity and access.
Thank you for leading your congregation to give to World Communion Sunday offering. Our students appreciate your support and generosity.
THE CONNECTIONAL GIVING TEAM
ANNOUNCEMENT COPY OR REMINDER EMAIL
2023 WCS Email #3
“Email Subject: World Communion Sunday is October 1, 2023
Scripture: “Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!” (Psalm 32:11, ESV)
Pretext: Give generously to the World Communion Sunday offering. Change the world through your generosity.
Dear Friends,
David Rangel received a World Communion Sunday Scholarship that enabled him to graduate from the Perkins School of Theology with a doctorate.
Since graduation, Rangel’s innovative ministry includes developing the first Spanish-speaking multi-site model in the North Texas Conference, opening two church campuses in his previous appointment, creating a Spanish-language Leadership Institute and producing a Spanish-language leadership podcast titled “Liderazgo y Estrategias Ministeriales” (Leadership and Ministry Strategies).
Presently, he is developing a coaching cohort for Spanish-speaking pastors and serves the Hispanic Latino Planters Group that evaluates the work of the National Hispanic Plan with the General Board of Discipleship.
“I want to support the effort of what The United Methodist Church is doing in the Hispanic Latino area through my gifts, experience and education,” Rangel stated.
Rangel and many other scholarship recipients are transforming lives because you gave to the World Communion Sunday offering. I look forward to seeing you at our World Communion Sunday celebration this Sunday, October 1, 2023. Let us give generously to support scholarships for United Methodist students.
The Lord bless you,
Pastor_______”