As sacrificial giving to Greater New Jersey’s For Tanzania mission campaign grows, and generous Giving Circles widen, congregations are urged to bolster the effort by celebrating For Tanzania Day on December 10 or any weekend in December.
Giving Circles donations surpassed $31,000? this week. We are advancing toward our conference’s $100,000 goal to help pay Tanzania’s struggling pastors and build a United Methodist church for mission and ministry in Dar es Salaam by the time their Annual Conference meets again in 2024. But we still have far to go and not much time.
“In Tanzania, every day is marked by sacrifice. We have a remarkable opportunity to make a substantial impact…and to spread faith and love around the world,” Bishop John Schol wrote in a recent letter to GNJ clergy and churches.
He asks for every congregation to receive a special offering for the Tanzania Development Fund this coming weekend or at sometime during December. “You will help to bring 80 clergy salaries up to a living wage for the next two years. We will also build a new church to reach more disciples of Jesus Christ and serve the community.
“When you support the Fund you not only spread faith and love, but you support families,” he writes. “You and your church can make a difference by being a part of a Giving Circle. No gift is too large or too small. Our youth at the 2023 IGNITE Conference raised $5,000 for the Tanzania Development Fund, and our GNJ staff have given $18.058 toward the $100,000 goal.
“Your generosity will inspire others to give as well.”
Giving Circles
If your church is organizing a Christmas fundraiser, and you would like to set and share a pledge goal, please reach out to Alyssa Ruch at aruch@gnjumc.org. We’re eager to include you on our Giving Circles page and celebrate your commitment!
To view the list of those who’ve pledged and contributed, visit https://www.gnjumc.org/fortanzania/giving-circles/,
What is my congregation being asked to do?
- Pray for the people of Tanzania.
- Share information and stories found on the For Tanzania web pages.
- Play one of the videos—perhaps “God Will Povide”—prior to receiving the offering.
- Take a special For Tanzania offering on December 10 or another Sunday in December.
Need editable bulletin inserts to promote the campaign in your church?
Click here, or check out our #ForTanzania Campaign Breakthrough page for other resources like worship liturgy, campaign talking points, graphics and more!