Each year during the Advent and Christmas season, we turn our eyes to Bethlehem and celebrate the wondrous gift of Jesus Christ, our Savior. By giving to the Christmas Joy Offering, you honor this gift by providing assistance to current and retired church workers in their time of need and developing our future leaders at Presbyterian-related racial ethnic schools and colleges.
The Assistance Program of the Board of Pensions provides critical financial and housing assistance to qualifying retired members of the Benefits Plan, and financial and vocational assistance to eligible workers in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
Rooted in a 300-year-old tradition, the Assistance Program embodies the connectional Church at its best. As the Assistance Program relies for its funding not on dues but on voluntary gifts, legacies, endowments, and one-half of the Christmas Joy Offering, it provides a way for caring Presbyterians to support those who serve the Church during their times of need. Assistance is granted for needs that lie beyond the scope of the Benefits Plan.
The importance of the racial ethnic schools and colleges of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is demonstrated in the continuing partnership between the two entities. The institutions have provided quality education to people who have contributed immeasurably to the church at large and to the world. Students are educated for the professions of their choice in an environment which supports and nurtures racial and ethnic heritage.
In Racial Ethnic Leadership Development, we help plan, coordinate and promote racial ethnic and women’s leadership institutes. Leadership institutes identify, equip and connect racial ethnic women and men, who are teaching and ruling elders, with leadership opportunities in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). This ministry also strengthens and nurtures the gifts of racial ethnic leaders, and inspires them to greater leadership roles in congregations, mid councils and in General Assembly agencies.
By giving to the Christmas Joy Offering, we can share in the hope of Christ and celebrate his leadership by providing support to our church workers, racial ethnic young people, and their families. You may give online or mail a check to the church office.