How to promote the 2012 Christmas Joy Offering
August
Look for your standing order confirmation to come in the mail. If you need to change the order, return the form by August 12.
September and October
Receive your shipment of Offering materials. Review the materials in this packet and begin planning your Offering promotion.
Ask the session to set a date to receive the Offering. Most congregations receive the Offering on the Sunday before Christmas, December 18, 2011, but the Offering can be received at any time during the Advent season. Encourage the session to set a giving goal that is higher than last year’s giving.
Order additional promotional materials for your congregation, if needed.
Begin planning events around the theme “Good News of Great Joy.” Choose the individuals who will present minutes for mission. Work with the worship committee
to plan a special Christmas Joy Offering worship service
as well as a Christmas Eve candle-lighting service (see page 13 of the Leader's Guide).
Plan a church supper at which you’ll use the place mats.
November
Display the Christmas Joy Offering poster in a prominent location.
Use the reproducible black-and-white art found on page 8 of this Leader’s Guide in newsletters or bulletins, or download it from www.pcusa.org/christmasjoy.
Promote the Offering on your church’s website.
Remind the congregation about the Offering and distribute coin boxes. Also remind members through the church newsletter or in other mailings. Consider enclosing the brochure/envelope in your mailings as an opportunity to contribute for those who may be out of town when you will receive the Offering.
December
Place an insert in the Sunday bulletin every week. Ask individuals to give minutes for mission for three or four Sundays, including those when the Offering is received. Note that the sample minutes for mission in this promotion guide are keyed to specific bulletin inserts and can offer ideas to help those giving minutes for mission.
Put Offering envelopes in the pew racks.
Use Offering materials during a worship service, potluck, and/or other congregational gatherings.
Use the worship resource on pages 14.
Receive the Christmas Joy Offering on December 18 or any time during the Advent season.
January
Send in your congregation’s Offering. See the information on page 3 for details.
Send your ideas and photos from your congregation’s promotion to the Share-Your-Ideas page on the Christmas Joy Offering website.
Thank your congregation for its participation and its gifts.
Complete the evaluation on page 19 and return it to the address noted or complete it online.