Dear Friends,

As our season of giving approaches, we are taking a look at what it means to serve the church during this time.

As the holiday season comes, churches are launching their holiday outreach programs or giving platforms. Often these aim to support members who may be struggling financially or dealing with heartache from loss of a loved one (grief hits hard, especially around the holidays). Social isolation, already a problem for some, has become the norm in light of COVID-19 precautions. Churches often find volunteer numbers dwindling around the holidays as the demands of the season require time and attention elsewhere that other times of the year do not.

So how can we support the church? How can we support each other?

It's more than just financial giving (though that is certainly needed, and welcome!) If you haven't already, find a service project or volunteering position. Offer to help put up decorations at church, assist with clothing or food donations, or even create cards for seniors in your church who may not be able to receive visitors due to COVID. Or, if your church is looking for something more community-based, Samaritan Bags are a great way to provide for those in housing crises, a situation that's all the more wrenching during the holidays. These bags can be tailored for different demographics, too – teachers, healthcare workers, emergency services personnel, and other frontline workers all would benefit from these.

The Christian Chain is about to launch our Giving Campaign in December, and as we look to give back through our own service projects, we also are asking for your support. You, our audience, are our greatest blessing, and we've been able to do so much, both through your generous financial gifts and via your prayers. But there's plenty more for us to do, and we are eager to get going – but we can't do it without you! As you make plans for your holiday giving, please consider donating to The Christian Chain. We've already raised $2,000 towards our Q1 2021 goal – help us grow our ministry to connect people to people, churches to churches, and the world to Jesus Christ.

By coming together in unity, the Church can be Jesus' hands and feet – both this season and beyond.