Engage with the Presbyterian Giving Catalog Year-Round
If you look at gifts to the Presbyterian Giving Catalog, there seems to be a trend: smaller spikes in daily activity near gift-giving holidays like Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, with most of our activity coming near Christmas. It makes sense. People are in a generous mood near the end of the year, alternative gift markets are popular, or you need gifts for people who “have it all”.
Remember, though, if your congregation wants to get involved with the Presbyterian Giving Catalog, you don’t have to wait until December! Here are a few tips for engaging your members throughout the year:
- Search the catalog for something that is timely with current events, or matches a passion of your congregation. Members at Southminster Presbyterian Church in Des Moines, WA were concerned about the plight of Syrian refugees this winter, and raised over $1,000 for heating oil.
- Get all ages involved! We hear countless stories of Presbyterian Women’s Groups or Vacation Bible Schools featuring a gift from the catalog as a visible reminder of the work carried out by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) around the world. You can find some of these on our Church Engagement page.
- Do your research: there are curriculum resources available for each of the four Special Offerings, as well as Alternative Gift Markets and events in your church.
- Remember we are here to help. Email special.offerings@pcusa.org with requests for information or ideas!