Posts By: Tricia Wainscott

The gift of an enthusiastic leader

When it comes to One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS), a leader’s enthusiasm is a gift in itself. Research shows church members give significantly more when their leaders share their excitement and passion for a Special Offering. Consider these ideas to involve your members & inspire them to give: Download the Leader’s Guide, with all… Read more »

“Ambassadors”

am·bas·sa·dor /amˈbasədər/ a person who acts as a representative or promoter of a specified activity. For the past few years, we have gathered groups of people to train and send out on our behalf when an offering is approaching. We want to have a personal connection with each congregation, but there are only so many… Read more »

You’ve Shared Your Blessings: Now Share Your Stories

As we look ahead to 2016 and beyond, we need your input to make the Presbyterian Giving Catalog even better. How did your congregation promote giving through the catalog? What are you already thinking about for next year? What can other congregations learn from yours? How can we help make it even easier to use… Read more »

Christmas Joy – A Tradition of Living for Others

Minute for Mission: Racial Ethnic Schools and Colleges Doreen Kayla grew up in Kenya. Her childhood—unlike that of many of her classmates at Stillman College—wasn’t filled with after-school activities and family vacations. Instead, she experienced the height of the violence of the Kenyan crisis, where an estimated 800 to 1,500 men, women, and children were… Read more »

Christmas Joy – On the Move

Minute for Mission: Board of Pensions Rev. Thomas “Tom” Gard and his wife Laurel believe the Board of Pensions is a godsend. This recently retired teaching elder from Fergus Falls, Minnesota, is referring to the Shared Grant contributed to by the Presbytery of Minnesota Valleys, the Synod of Lakes and Prairies, and the Board’s Assistance… Read more »

Hunting Down Resources

Sometimes, despite our best efforts, finding resources to promote upcoming offerings can be difficult. Here are a few tips to get what you need quickly and efficiently.  Start your search at http://specialofferings.pcusa.org – we have compiled information about the offerings and links to resources on one page, so you don’t have to navigate the entirety… Read more »

Christmas Joy – Menaul School

Minute for Mission: Racial Ethnic Schools and Colleges When Siya Gu came to the United States from her hometown in China in 2013, she never imagined that her journey and the education that she received would impact her life in so many ways.  “When I first came to America for school, I was nervous and… Read more »

Christmas Joy – Helping and Empowering Others

Minute for Mission: Board of Pensions No one should have to choose between food and medicine, but Sharon was approaching that.  Battling advanced thyroid cancer since 2001, Sharon was facing the growing number of additional prescriptions and the copays that come with them. “I didn’t know what I would do,” she shared. “You hear about… Read more »

Keeping the promise of the Advent season

During this Advent season, we reflect on the influence a promise can have on our lives. God promised each of us salvation, and kept that promise with the birth of Jesus. That promise sustains and uplifts us, during good times and challenging ones. When we understand this deeper meaning of a promise, we also understand… Read more »

Words of Thanks from Menaul School

As we approach Thanksgiving, we are also greeted by words of thanks from others. Two students from the Menaul School, a recipient of Christmas Joy Offering Funds, have sent along a letter for me to share with you:

Read more »