Last year, a small gift reminded us just how powerful generosity can be.
We received a cheque for $125 from a longtime Mission and Service donor. But the money didn’t come from her... it came from her three grandchildren. They had gathered loose change from around their house, rolling loonies, quarters, and dimes. They were told they could spend it on anything they wanted. Instead, they chose to send it all to help children in Ukraine.
Their letter said simply, “They decided to send it to help children in need.”
That story was a reminder of something that already lives within us. We don’t need to be taught how to care. God created us for compassion, and sometimes it takes the perspective of children to remind us of that.
That same spirit of generosity was powerfully echoed at General Council 45, where youth delegates from across the country shared their hopes for the church. They spoke of a church that is more than buildings, one that adapts boldly to God’s call. They imagined a church that cares deeply about the world beyond its walls and is committed to real change. They envisioned a community that places the needs of the vulnerable first and uses its resources to serve others.
Their voices reflected the heart of Mission and Service: meeting people with compassion, supporting partners who respond to crises, and working for justice and healing in Canada and around the world.
The dreams of these young leaders, and the generosity of children who share what little they have, show the kind of future the church can build when people join their sparks together.
This Advent, Mission and Service invites the church to share sparks of compassion that can ignite fires of change. When generosity is passed from one person to another, it grows into comfort, hope, and lasting impact for those who need it most.
Thank you for supporting Mission and Service and helping that spark shine brightly this season.