Dear Church Leader,
Yves Mukana Kinangwa grew up in a family that instilled education and generosity as core values. True to his upbringing, Kinangwa values the relationship between the church and the community.
“For me, following Jesus Christ is all about being attentive to our neighbor—that is the main reason why I thought the deacon’s ministry would be a great fit for my future career,” said Kinangwa. But Kinangwa would not be able to pursue a master of divinity degree if not for the support of some generous neighbors—the people of The United Methodist Church who gave to the World Communion Sunday offering.
“The World Communion Sunday scholarship has changed my life because it has allowed me to reach the level of life where I can be helpful to my local community and bring real change,” continued Kinangwa.
World Communion Sunday is October 1, 2023—two weeks away. Here are additional resources to share with your worship leaders. Ask your leaders to:
- communicate your online giving information to your members or promote umcgiving.org/WCS for online giving to World Communion Sunday offering,
- ensure that the Pew Cards are placed in the pew racks or in high-traffic areas. The cards may also be placed in the church’s visitor or new-member packets,
- download the Offering Talk and Liturgy, and print the Adult Bulletin Insert or Cover,
- help the church grow generous and mission-minded adults by sharing the WCS Children’s Message and Bulletin Inserts with your Sunday school students. This is a great way to involve children in the mission of the church early in their lives,
- play a World Communion Sunday video from the UMCGiving YouTube channel as congregants enter the sanctuary or use the video to introduce the offering,
- share the Social Media Graphics on your church’s social media platform(s) and encourage church members to share the videos with their families and friends,
- customize the reminder copy below and use it on your social media platform(s) or share it as an email to remind church members about the October 1 celebration. Church members who are unable to attend the worship service may find the content useful as they participate in your online service (if you stream your worship service), and
- thank your members for their generosity and arrange to send the offering to your annual conference treasurer.
World Communion Sunday calls the church to reach out to all people and model diversity among God’s children. The special offering provides World Communion Scholarships and grants for worldwide inclusion, diversity, equity and access.
When your congregation gives generously on World Communion Sunday, you equip gifted, qualified students to become the world changers God created them to be.
Thank you for your generosity,
THE CONNECTIONAL GIVING TEAM
ANNOUNCEMENT COPY OR REMINDER EMAIL
2023 WCS Email #2
“Email Subject: World Communion Sunday is in two weeks—October 1, 2023
Scripture: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.” (Philippians 4:4, ESV)
Pretext: Support students! Give to the World Communion Sunday Offering.
Dear Friends,
“The church’s generosity is indirectly feeding, healing, accommodating, evangelizing, protecting, nurturing and developing thousands of people around the world,” said Yves Mukana Kinangwa, a World Communion Sunday Scholarship recipient. Armed with a desire to become a deacon, Kinangwa did not have the funds to achieve a master of divinity degree on his own. But when he received the World Communion Sunday Scholarship, a spirit of hope enveloped him.
“The World Communion Sunday Scholarship has changed my life because it has allowed me to reach the level of life where I can be helpful to my local community and bring real change,” continued Kinangwa.
World Communion Sunday is October 1, 2023. Let’s work together to empower students who struggle financially. The World Communion Sunday offering supports students and helps us model diversity among God’s children.
Gifts to the World Communion Sunday offering support the ongoing mission to nurture United Methodist leaders—both lay and clergy.
We look forward to seeing you at our 2023 World Communion Sunday celebration on October 1.
Thank you,
Pastor__________”