United Methodist Communications
Office of Public Information
For Immediate Release
May 1, 2020
Nashville, Tennessee –In this time of great need, the #IGiveUMC movement launched this week by United Methodist Communications, in partnership with the General Council on Finance and Administration (GCFA). By offering an opportunity to participate in ensuring the longevity of local churches and their ministries, the #IGiveUMC is a social media campaign designed to invite the faithful to engage in online community while continuing to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
The #IGiveUMC campaign invites people to make financial donations to local United Methodist churches in honor/memory of a loved one and their legacy of faith. Donors can choose to support the church their honoree attends, their own church or a church with family ties. Participants are then encouraged to post a photo or video on social media about their gift celebrating their honoree using the hashtag #IGiveUMC and suggesting or nominating others to make a donation in honor of their person of choice. An #IGiveUMC Facebook profile picture frame is also available to help members share their involvement in this special giving campaign.
“Local churches and the United Methodist faith are important to people across generations. This is the perfect opportunity for members to help positively affect faith communities in honor of the people who have impacted their lives,” shared Linda Bruner, Connectional Giving Senior Manager for United Methodist Communications, the church agency responsible for connectional marketing for the denomination.
The initial roll-out encourages celebrating Mother’s Day by honoring mothers and mother figures. The campaign will continue with various seasonal themes such as Father’s Day and Grandparent’s Day. It also provides the opportunity to recognize any special event—including birthdays, graduations, retirements and church anniversaries—by making a donation to help celebrate the important people in our lives.
Monetary gifts such as the #IGiveUMC donations are vital to staffing levels and equipping United Methodist ministries to continue outreach and support to their local communities and beyond, regardless of whether churches are meeting online or in-person.
“I am honored to donate to my local United Methodist church in memory of my mother,” said Brandy Bivens, Director of Communications for the General Council on Finance and Administration. “The #IGiveUMC campaign allows me to give, to show my friends on Facebook that I gave, and hopefully encourage others to give to their local ministry. No donation is too small to help.”
A special webpage, https://bit.ly/IGiveUMC, has been created that offers information, shareable images and graphics, scripts, ideas and examples to help churches and their members to participate to the fullest.
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About United Methodist Communications
As the communications agency for The United Methodist Church, United Methodist Communications seeks to increase awareness and visibility of the denomination in communities and nations around the globe. United Methodist Communications also offers services, tools and resources for communications ministry. Find them online at umcom.org.
Media contact:
Brenda Smotherman
[email protected]
615.742.5288 (office)
