Missouri Synod joins ‘Giving Tuesday’ effort

For Immediate Release

Contact: Vicki Biggs, 314-996-1236, 314-556-3829 (cell), @theLCMS

Church launches ‘Give Graciously, Give Globally’ campaign

ST. LOUIS, November 5, 2013—With the launch of its “Give Graciously, Give Globally” campaign, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod is joining “Giving Tuesday” and asking people around the world to make a difference through charitable giving on a single day.

“Giving Tuesday” will be observed this year on Dec. 3.

The LCMS “Give Graciously, Give Globally” effort will benefit the denomination’s Global Mission Fund. Gifts to the fund are immediately directed wherever they are needed most in the world to carry out the church’s Witness, Mercy, Life Together ministry.

“Giving Tuesday” follows on the heels of “Cyber Monday,” “Small Business Saturday” and “Black Friday” — annual promotional events that profit the retail industry and kick off the holiday shopping frenzy. In an about face of this intense consumerism, “Giving Tuesday” was conceived as a day for amplifying small acts of kindness through charitable giving in an effort to change the world for the better.

“Giving Tuesday” campaigns generally center on online giving.

“As stewards of God’s gifts, it makes sense for us to lift the Global Mission Fund up as part of ‘Giving Tuesday’ because anyone, anywhere can participate in sharing the Gospel through word and deed, through a gift in any amount,” said Mark Hofman, executive director of LCMS Mission Advancement. “Giving online is one of the most cost-effective ways to move dollars to the Lord’s harvest field, and so participating in the annual ‘Giving Tuesday’ push was an opportunity we couldn’t ignore. When people in the LCMS hear or read about ‘Giving Tuesday’ in the national media, we want them to know they can participate as Christian stewards in ways that enhance LCMS national and international mission efforts.”

The LCMS is among more than 3,000 organizations registered online at www.givingtuesday.org as partners in the initiative. Other partners include the American Red Cross, The Salvation Army and United Way.

Visit www.lcms.org/givingtuesday to learn more or get resources and go to www.lcms.org/givenow/givingtuesday to make a gift.

About The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod is a biblical, confessional, witness-oriented Christian denomination with 2.3 million members – 600,000 households – in 6,200 congregations. Through acts of witness and mercy, the church carries out its mission worldwide to make known the love of Jesus Christ. Learn more at www.lcms.org.

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