Thanksgiving Offering

Happy Thanksgiving!

As we enter this season of harvest and gratitude, we are reminded of the importance and power of giving thanks every day of the year. Christians are called to "give thanks in all circumstances" (1 Thessalonians 5:18), and so experience the gifts of God that we might otherwise overlook. Thankfulness is a choice we can make that opens our lives toward greater contentment and joy, and opens our eyes to see our neighbors with God's love.

One of the ways we as a church show God's love to our neighbors is through our Thanksgiving offering. The Thanksgiving offering goes specifically to ministries of local outreach and social justice through our congregation's Church and Society work area. This offering is the sole source of funding that the Church and Society work area receives. Through your special gift, our church is able to reach out to lives, speak out about needs and work to bring improved circumstances to others through the organizations that they support (see the list below).

If you haven't received a Thanksgiving offering envelope, they will be available at all the Thanksgiving Sunday services at 8:15, 9:30 and 11:00 a.m. on November 23.

May your Thanksgiving be blessed with God's abundant love.

Thankful together,
Pastors Jim and Greta McDonald
Church and Society Work Area

The following are organizations that have received support from the Thanksgiving Offering in recent years. How many organizations can be supported and in what amounts is dependent on your generosity in giving.

• Bread for the World: A collective Christian voice urging our nation's leaders to end hunger at home and abroad.
• Bridge Communities Inc.: Mentors families from homelessness to independent living by providing temporary housing, guidance (budgeting advice, tutoring, etc.), love, and stability. Our church mentors Bridge families.
• Community Adult Day Care: Founded in 1986 by a group of churches including FUMC, CADC provides a warm, supportive atmosphere with social activities for adults needing daytime care. 
• DuPage Habitat for Humanity: Our locally run affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International works in partnership with families to build affordable housing.
• DuPage Senior Home Sharing: Helps meet the need for affordable senior housing by providing a shared housing option. Founded in 1981.
• DuPage United: An organization of religious institutions and other non-profit agencies working to improve the quality of life for individuals, families and communities.
• Family Shelter Services: Founded in 1976, this agency addresses domestic abuse by providing emergency shelter services and non-residential counseling services, children's programs, support groups, court advocacy, hotline services and preventive education.
• Hope's Front Door (formerly Walk-in Ministry of Hope): Provides emergency assistance to those in desperate need (unemployed, underemployed, homeless, seniors and disabled). Clients are helped with food, medical, dental and/or transportation vouchers plus guidance to appropriate social agencies.
• Literacy DuPage: Provides accessible and customized tutoring in reading, writing, speaking, and understanding English to help adults achieve independence.
• Love Christian Clearinghouse: Provides some short term financial aid and makes community referrals to help clients become or return to self-sufficiency.
• PADS (Public Action to Deliver Shelter): Coordinates a network of sites to provide temporary food and shelter including one at FUMC. Their long term mission is to end homelessness through case management, life coaching, employment support, etc.
• People's Resource Center: Meets basic needs, including food, clothing, and rent assistance, and offers skill-building resources, such as literacy classes, job assistance, computer training and art.
• Prisoner Release Ministry Help men and women find jobs when they are released from prison or jail.