Our world has been irrevocably changed. The needs that existed before the pandemic have been compounded by the staggering needs emerging due to the pandemic. Pew Research estimates that the number of people living in poverty globally rose by 131 million in 2020, bringing the total to over 800 million people. It’s so hard to see the good.
But what if we made a choice to recognize every good gift we’ve been given and in turn, give good gifts to extend goodness to those who need it most?
This Christmas season, we want to invite your church to engage with Gifts of Compassion: to rally together to make an impact for children living in poverty. Because now more than ever, every good gift matters in the fight against poverty.
How it works
The Gifts of Compassion Church Engagement Kit is a set of downloadable creative elements (videos, printable ornaments and a promotional slide) for use in either virtual or in-person gatherings to help inspire and invite your community to see the needs of children living in poverty and respond by giving to Gifts of Compassion.
READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Gifts of Compassion
If you need support in engaging your church with Gifts of Compassion, a member of our team in your region would be happy to connect!
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Download the full 2021 Gifts of Compassion Church Engagement Kit
The full Church Engagement Kit includes:
- Four videos
- Video #1: Every Good Gift | A short Gifts of Compassion promotional video (1:41)
- Video #2: A Christmas of Compassion not Consumption | A 9-minute message that includes teaching from Scripture, information about Compassion’s ministry and an invitation to give (8:45)
- Video #3: Christmas Music Medley with the trio of Yuri Hooker, Michelle Mourre and Erin Propp (5:16)
- Video #4: Celebrating Your Good Gifts | A video to celebrate your impact and generosity (0:53)
- Gifts of Compassion customizable promotional slides
- Printable ornaments that you can use to tangibly track your community’s generosity and impact in your church’s gathering space
Or scroll down to download each element individually.
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Video downloads
Video #1: Every Good Gift (1:41)
This short and inspirational Gifts of Compassion promotional video shows the impact of Gifts of Compassion and invites viewers to recognize the good gifts they’ve been given and can give to others.
This is an ideal video to play during a pre-service roll, announcements, integrated into musical worship or as a close your service or gathering.
Video #2: A Christmas of Compassion not Consumption (8:45)
In this 9-minute message, Pastor Mike Penninga, Compassion Canada’s Director of Partnership Development, teaches from Luke 12, shares about Compassion’s ministry and invites your community to give to Gifts of Compassion.
Intended for churches that are hoping to invest significant time during their service or gathering to focus on Gifts of Compassion. The message can stand alone or complement other teaching during your service or gathering.
Video #3: Christmas Music Medley with the trio of Yuri Hooker, Michelle Mourre and Erin Propp (5:16)
We’re thrilled to share this special Christmas Music Medley from principal cellist of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, Yuri Hooker, Winnipeg Ballet School pianist, Michelle Mourre, and jazz and folk vocalist, Erin Propp, for use during your church service or gathering as musical worship or inspirational content. Arrangement by Ari Hooker.
Video #4: Celebrating Your Good Gifts (0:53)
This short video can be used near the end of the Christmas season to acknowledge and celebrate your community’s generosity and impact.
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Customizable promotional slides
There are three options of this promotional slide available. The file is editable so you can customize the call to action to fit your church’s giving options.
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Printable ornaments
These printable ornaments are available in colour (pictured above) or in a black-and-white colour-your-own version. They can be stuck on a wall or hung on a Christmas tree in your church’s gathering space to tangibly and visually represent your church’s generosity and impact. Hang an ornament for every gift given and invite members of your community to colour and/or write their names on the ornament(s) representing their gift(s).
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How to give
We’re so thankful for your interest in engaging your church with Gifts of Compassion this Christmas. If you are inviting your community to give to Gifts of Compassion, logistically, there are two main ways you can invite them to give:
- Invite your community to give directly through the Gifts of Compassion website.
- Collect funds as a church and make one collective donation on behalf of your community towards a particular gift or sector either online or by mailing a cheque to: Compassion Canada, PO Box 5591, London, ON, N6A 5G8.
If you need any support or are looking for another way to give, get in touch with our team.
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Looking for more content to share?
Find us on social media for more stories, videos and inspirational content to share with your community.
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