2009 CHRISTMAS JOY OFFERING

Posted December 9th, 2009 by admin

Presbyterians have long celebrated the birth of Jesus Christ by giving generously to an Advent offering. The Christmas Joy Offering dates back to 1933 when the former Presbyterian Church in the United States (PCUS) began the Joy Gift Offering to supplement inadequate retirement income and provide supplemental medical insurance for former ministers, missionaries, church workers and their families.

In the former United Presbyterian Church in the United States of America (UPCUSA), a Christmas offering was first taken in 1960. Called the White Gift, its funds were used for general mission and world relief. In 1964, the name was changed to the Christmas Offering, and receipts provided support for health and welfare concerns related to children. The emphasis on global work with children continued until 1973, when the offering was used to assist former servants of the church who were living on inadequate pensions.

In 1974, minority education was added; and in 1979, nursing home care assistance was also included. Funds were distributed evenly between the Board of Pensions and minority education.

In 1988, the PCUS and the UPCUSA offerings were joined into one offering, the Christmas Offering Joy Gift. It was agreed that neither the Board of Pensions nor the racial ethnic schools would suffer in the merger of the Joy Gift and the Christmas Offering. To accomplish that, the 1987 General Assembly set a distribution ratio of 65% to the Board of Pensions and 35% to the racial ethnic schools.

In 1989, the offering was renamed the Christmas Joy Offering; and in 1991, the 203rd General Assembly changed the distribution of funds to 50% to the Board of Pension and 50% to the Presbyterian racial ethnic schools and colleges.

Members and friends of First Presbyterian Church will have the opportunity to take part in this offering. During the Advent season, there will be inserts included in the weekly worship bulletins. Offering envelopes are included in this newsletter and will be available in the pews during the month of December. If you would like to make a contribution for the offering, please make your check payable to First Presbyterian Church and be sure to mark it in a way that the office staff will know your intentions for including it in the Christmas Joy Offering. The offering will be dedicated Christmas Eve.