Social media a key driver for annual global day of giving
by Scott O’Neill | Presbyterian News Service
LOUISVILLE — The Presbyterian Mission Agency (PMA) will again participate in #GivingTuesday, the global generosity movement. Always observed on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, #GivingTuesday falls on Dec. 3 this year.
#GivingTuesday provides Presbyterians and other people of faith the opportunity to express gratitude to God for all God has done for us by contributing to the many faces of our worldwide mission. #GivingTuesday also helps Presbyterians’ efforts to embody being a Matthew 25 church.
Opportunities to give to Shared Mission (directing your gift where it’s needed the most), Special Offerings, and to support the Office of the General Assembly are available at giving-tuesday.pcusa.org.
Founded in 2012 by New York’s 92nd Street Y, the genesis behind #GivingTuesday was creating a day that encouraged people to do good for others in contrast to the materialism symbolized by Black Friday and Cyber Monday. The generosity embodied by the annual global day of giving bears witness to a spirit of gratitude. In its seven-year history, #GivingTuesday has raised more than $1 billion in the U.S., and in 2018 alone achieved 14.2 billion media impressions, 3.6 million online gifts, and raised more than $400 million online across more than 150 countries.
“As we begin the Season of Advent, I am delighted that we dedicate a day when we can give to the church, and, in so doing, we can give to the world. We can be a healing presence and be the hands and feet, the re-presentation of Christ in the world,” said the Rev. Dr. Diane Moffett, president and executive director of the Presbyterian Mission Agency. “Your gifts on #GivingTuesday help us continue to minister in God’s name. I hope that you carefully consider how you might be able to help us continue the mission and ministry of Jesus Christ.”
Dr. Patsy Smith, PMA board member and a member at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Oklahoma City, Okla., supports #GivingTuesday as part of her congregation’s focus on mission. She wrote about Trinity’s efforts to connect with community and embrace being a Matthew 25 church in a recent blog post.
“Beyond our reach there is a world where our support can have even greater outcomes. Therefore, I encourage each person to make #GivingTuesday an opportunity to support Presbyterian Mission in the world community,” wrote Smith.
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