Dear Congregation,
I recently received a certificate with sincere thanksgiving to CCC from the United Church Board for Ministerial Assistance in recognition of the congregation’s generous and faithful support of the 2017 Christmas Fund. Did you realize that last year your gifts to the Christmas Fund totaled $1,569!!! I think that’s really amazing for a congregation of our size. It says to me that you really value the ministry of pastors and other church professionals who have faithfully served the United Church of Christ and its predecessor denominations. It also tells me that you really care that the church is there for them in their times of financial hardship and that the caring is shown in practical ways.
The theme of this year’s Christmas Fund is “The Light is Surely Coming”. Each week during Advent there has been an insert in Sunday’s worship bulletin giving information on the Christmas Fund and sharing the stories of some of the recipients of the direct support given. As Christians see Christmas as the time when we celebrate the coming of Christ’s light to the world, those who benefit from The Christmas Fund experience some light in the darkness of their financial hardship because of your generosity.
We will be receiving The Christmas Fund offering during worship on Sunday, December 23rd and during the December 24th Christmas Eve service at 6 p.m. Please join us in worship and help spread the light through your generous contributions to The Christmas Fund!
In Christ’s love,
Pastor Candy Thomas
Interim Pastor
Christ Congregational United Church of Christ