Can your Church beat last year's Advent success?

Churches are being invited to register their support for the 2013 Advent offering takingplace on 1 December this year. 

Last year, offerings from hundreds of churches across theConnexion enabled projects like the Plymouth Foodbank to supplyfood to thousands of people. With poverty at its highest levelsince the Second World War, support for mission at home is neededmore than ever. The Mission in Britain Fund aids the fight against poverty inthe UK, chaplaincy, sharing the gospel, ministering opportunitiesat Methodist Heritage sites and the use of church properties toserve local communities.

Victoria Ireland, Fundraising Manager, said: "After the successof the first Advent Offering last year we are really excited to seehow church support will grow this year. The Mission in Britain Fundsupports so many worthwhile projects; it's a great way to give to avariety of kingdom-building work with a single donation.  Makesure that your church doesn't miss out on being part of thisspecial date in the Methodist calendar - save the date today:Sunday 1st December 2013."

The Crown Centre in Stonehouse Plymouth is a Methodist outreachproject that encourages social interaction and education. It isalso the base for the Plymouth Foodbank and the Oasis Project: a community hub set up by the Plymouth MethodistCircuit to host an internet cafe and external catering, trainingand development opportunities. Since September last year, thePlymouth Foodbank has given out three days worth of food to5,900 people. A film launched today by Methodist Mission in Britain shows thedifference that last year's Advent campaign made to peoplestruggling with poverty. 

Staff and volunteers at the Crown Centre also help clients tobecome members of the team themselves. Alison Casey received anational volunteering award for inspiring 70 new recruits duringher time at the centre. She became a Plymouth City Councillor in2011 and was invited to meet the Queen in July this year. "TheCrown Centre offers people a sense of belonging," she said. "Iwould probably have gone to prison if it were not for the CrownCentre."

Be the first to receive details of the Mission in Britain AdventOffering materials by emailing missionfunding@methodistchurch.org.ukor calling 020 7467 5117.

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Read more about how Mission in Britain is making a differenceacross the country in Mission Matters magazine.