Dear Church Leader:
Human Relations Day is this Sunday! Thank you for sharing the ministry of Human Relations Day with your congregation. When we work together, our ministries are far-reaching.
Here is a check list to help you prepare during the week before the Human Relations Day celebration:
View the HRD 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 poster in a prominent place where everyone will see it.
Ask your greeters to give a Bulletin Insert to people as they enter the sanctuary.
Promote participation in the worship service by using the Call to Worship.
Share the total offering received for Human Relations Day and thank the congregation for their generosity.
Send the offering to your annual conference treasurer.
Remind your congregation that gifts to Human Relations Day support ministries such as:
Young Worker’s Project: This project based at the United Methodist Church of East Congo provides vocational training and support for unemployed young people in the city of Kindu, where high unemployment rates among youth have led to conflict and anti-social behaviors.
Communities of Transformation: A partnership between the Montgomery, Alabama District criminal justice system and the Alabama-West Florida Conference of the UMC will provide the Next Steps Program, which is designed to help those awaiting adjudication. This program lowers the risk of reoffence and offers rehabilitative space.
Thank you for supporting the Human Relations Day Offering.
The Connectional Giving Team
Below is suggested copy you can edit and use to announce Human Relations Day by email, in your newsletters, for classes or in your bulletin.
ANNOUNCEMENT OR EMAIL COPY
Email Title: Human Relations Day 2024—Email #3
Subject: Give Generously to the Human Relations Day Offering this Sunday
Scripture: 1 Samuel 3:10: “Speak. Your servant is listening.” (CEB)
Pretext: Respond to the Prophetic Call on Human Relations Day.
“Dear Friends,
Human Relations Day is this Sunday! Join us as we celebrate beloved community.
1 Samuel 3:10 calls us to listen to God’s voice and plan for our lives. Often, we think we cannot make an impact on our own, but when we accept God’s call, we can do incredible things together. Your gifts to Human Relations Day support ministries such as:
Young Worker’s Project: This project based at the United Methodist Church of East Congo provides vocational training and support for unemployed young people in the city of Kindu, where high unemployment rates among youth have led to conflict and anti-social behaviors.
Communities of Transformation: A partnership between the Montgomery, Alabama District criminal justice system and the Alabama-West Florida Conference of the UMC will provide the Next Steps Program, which is designed to help those awaiting adjudication. This program lowers the risk of reoffence and offers rehabilitative space.
Thank you for your generosity,
Yours in Christ,
Pastor”