How to promote the 2012 Christmas Joy Offering
October
Receive your shipment of Offering materials. Review the materials in this packet and begin planning your Offering promotion.
Ask the session to set a date to receive the Offering. Most congregations receive the Offering on the Sunday before Christmas, December 23, 2012, but the Offering can be received at any time during the Advent season. Encourage the session to set a giving goal that is higher than last year’s giving.
Order additional promotional materials for your congregation, if needed.
Begin planning events around the theme “Good News of Great Joy.” Choose the individuals who will present minutes for mission. Work with the worship committee
to plan a special Christmas Joy Offering worship service
as well as a Christmas Eve candle-lighting service (see page 11 of the Leader's Guide).
Plan a church supper at which you’ll use the place mats.
November
Display the Christmas Joy Offering poster in a prominent location.
Use the reproducible promotional ads found on the Christmas Joy art page.
Promote the Offering on your church’s website.
Remind the congregation about the Offering and distribute coin boxes. Also remind members through the church newsletter or in other mailings. Consider enclosing the brochure/envelope in your mailings as an opportunity to contribute for those who may be out of town when you will receive the Offering.
December
Place an insert in the Sunday bulletin every week. Ask individuals to give minutes for mission for three or four Sundays, including those when the Offering is received. Note that the sample minutes for mission in the leader's guide are keyed to specific bulletin inserts and can offer ideas to help those giving minutes for mission.
Put Offering envelopes in the pew racks.
Use Offering materials during a worship service, potluck, and/or other congregational gatherings.
Use the worship resource on pages 13-15 of the leader's guide.
Receive the Christmas Joy Offering on December 23 or any time during the Advent season.
January
Send in your congregation’s Offering. See the information on page 4 of the leader's guide for details.
Add your ideas and photos from your congregation’s promotion to the "Share Your Ideas" page and the Special Offerings Facebook page.
Thank your congregation for its participation and its gifts.
Complete the evaluation online to help us improve the Christmas Joy Offering in future years.
