50% of your gifts smooth the path for current and church workers and their families in their time of need.
Born and raised a Presbyterian in South Korea, Rev. Jinho Kim’s life was changed when he met a missionary in the 1970s whose ministry focused on campus and youth evangelism with Spirit-filled worship and discipleship training. A few years later, his youth group was going to sing Christmas carols to marginalized unwed mothers. He was inspired “by faith,” to create a melody for the verse from Psalm 117, “The steadfast love of the Lord is great toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever,” which is still being sung a generation later. After retirement, having earned only a modest income throughout his years of service, Jinho felt the Psalmist’s love upon receiving help through the Assistance Program of the Board of Pensions, made possible by gifts to the Christmas Joy Offering.
50% of your gifts prepare students to learn and grow in faith at Presbyterian-related schools and colleges equipping communities of color.
High school senior Søren Briggs is the youngest ruling elder to be ordained at First Presbyterian Church in his hometown of Albuquerque, New Mexico. His love for both his home church and the Presbyterian-related Menaul School, supported by gifts to the Christmas Joy Offering, fuels his passion. Building on the school’s historic emphasis on ministry as a potential career path, a new class, titled “Called to Serve,” will help students appreciate the Reformed understanding of “vocation” as they explore together how their faith can be lived out in everyday life. Søren sees the class as helping him continue to cultivate good values: how to live your life as a kind person and how to practice your faith.
Gifts to the Christmas Joy Special Offering of the PCUSA will be received throughout December. By giving to the Christmas Joy Offering, you will be 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. Please consider giving to the Christmas Joy Offering in addition to your regular giving. Give online or by check — mark gifts “JOY”.