Links of Love inspires connections and giving

The goal is for a thousand-foot-long paper chain to be displayed at General Assembly

by Scott O’Neill | Presbyterian News Service

Members of Nashville’s Southminster Presbyterian Church submitted their Links of Love paper chain to the Giving Catalog. (Contributed photo)

LOUISVILLE — The Presbyterian Giving Catalog launched Links of Love recently as part of a special Giving Challenge. The Links of Love activity is aimed toward recognizing the power and impact of individual gifts when joined with others by creating a paper chain that visually represents Presbyterian generosity.

For each gift to the catalog, congregations are encouraged to add a link and construct a paper chain no matter how long or short; each contribution makes a big impact. Individual paper chains will be collected, combined and displayed at the 224th General Assembly (2020) in Baltimore. The goal is to exceed a 1,000-foot paper chain.

“We want to create a dynamic, colorful visual that brings to life a truth I see every day, that the generosity and faithfulness of Presbyterians grows each day, and inspires hope in people around the world,” said Bryce Wiebe, director, Presbyterian Giving Catalog. “Each person who makes a gift receives a paper link to fill out and grow the congregation’s paper chain. We encourage congregations to hang their paper chains in highly visible locations to inspire the generosity of others and generate interest and excitement over how much is being accomplished as a group.”

Each congregation is encouraged to use their own creativity to make the Links of Love activity fit their needs, but the Giving Catalog does provide resources and ideas to help kick-start the creative process. The paper chain links and everything a congregation needs to get started can be ordered from the PC(USA) Store and are available for free.

In order to meet the deadline for General Assembly (June 20-27), the Presbyterian Giving Catalog is requesting that all paper chains be submitted by May 15 to:

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

c/o Presbyterian Giving Catalog

100 Witherspoon St.

Louisville, KY 40202

Leading up to General Assembly congregations are encouraged to highlight members with their “why I gave” story, showing them holding their link and/or posting a picture of the congregation holding the paper chain. Also, share your story on social media using the hashtag #smallgiftsbigimpact and tagging @givingcatalog.

Southminster Presbyterian Church in Nashville, Tenn., is the first congregation to submit its paper chain for connecting at General Assembly.

“We liked having the visual representation of our giving and seeing it grow,” said Pat McDonald, a member of the Outreach Committee at Southminster.  They participated in the Links of Love activity through their Alternative Giving Market.

Visit the Links of Love web page for more information.