{"id":9038,"date":"2014-11-24T15:42:28","date_gmt":"2014-11-24T23:42:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.pnwumc.org\/news\/?p=9038"},"modified":"2014-11-24T18:44:57","modified_gmt":"2014-11-25T02:44:57","slug":"give-to-make-a-difference-next-tuesday-givingtuesday","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pnwumc.org\/news\/give-to-make-a-difference-next-tuesday-givingtuesday\/","title":{"rendered":"Give to Make a Difference Next Tuesday! #givingTuesday"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Marie Kuch-Stanovsky<\/h4>\n

Soon I will sit down to enjoy a delicious meal and cozy time with family. I will count my blessings and see the face of Christ reflected in my loved ones around the dinner table. But before the leftovers are cold, companies will be trying to convince me to run out and spend money. The shopping opportunities and incentive sales have their own days: Black Friday, Small-Business Saturday, Cyber Monday… I hear them mentioned all over the radio and television; see them on billboards and pop-up ads.<\/p>\n

There is a reason that stores are particularly focused\u00a0on our wallets this time of year. We are looking for ways to show our loved ones we care. It is the season of giving, and companies capitalize on our generosity by promoting consumerism.<\/p>\n

\"Multiply<\/a>This year, however, I am going to skip the others to focus on the latest edition to the post-turkey theme days: Giving Tuesday. The nonprofit world, including our own United Methodist Church, is hoping that you will set aside – or even prioritize – some of your spending money for\u00a0a greater cause. The UMC will match the first $1 million* given through\u00a0The Advance<\/a>\u00a0on #givingTuesday, offering an opportunity to maximize your impact.<\/p>\n

I am called this holiday season to give the gift of hope and love by donating\u00a0to UMC missions. \u00a0Next Tuesday, December 2, I invite you to join me in expressing gratitude through contributions\u00a0to a better world.\u00a0 We will be uniting with Methodists around the world to support a multitude of projects including\u00a0Imagine No Malaria<\/a>,\u00a0UMCOR<\/a>, and\u00a0Jamaa Letu Orphanage<\/a>.\u00a0 More projects and missionaries can be found at\u00a0umcmission.org\/give<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Join me in participating in UMC #givingTuesday:<\/p>\n