When is the Offering?
The Christmas Joy Offering is traditionally received during the Advent Season. However, your congregation is welcome to celebrate this Offering at any point in the year.
December 1 - December 22, 2024
Christmas Joy
Supporting the Christmas Joy Offering honors God's gift of Jesus Christ by providing assistance to current and retired church workers in their time of need and developing our future leaders at Presbyterian-related schools and colleges equipping communities of color.
developing & sustaining our leaders
Each year during the Advent and Christmas season, we lift up past, present, and our future leaders of the church.
God has blessed the Church with incredible leadership in every time and place, but those leaders often need to be supported by their communities as well. This Offering addresses the support needed by some of our leaders, including supporting leadership development for communities of color, and providing support for Presbyterian church workers in their time of need.
Providing comfort to church leaders
Supporting leadership development
Building up the future of the Church
your impact
Supporting Past, Present, and Future Leaders
The Christmas Joy Offering has been a cherished Presbyterian tradition since the 1930s. The Offering distributes gifts equally to the Assistance Program of the Board of Pensions and to Presbyterian-related schools and colleges equipping communities of color. The Assistance Program provides critical financial support to church workers and their families. Presbyterian-related schools and colleges provide education and leadership development while nurturing racial and ethnic heritage. This has been a Presbyterian commitment for nearly 140 years.
$1.1 million in gifts from 2022
are being used to provide critical financial support and grants for current and retired Presbyterian church workers in their times of need
272 individuals helped
assisted retired church workers and surviving spouses
223 recipients
Could afford to stay in their homes, assisted living, or long-term care
621 Emergency Assistant Grants
helped people facing economic hardship
Resources For Christmas Joy
get started
Download Leaders Guide
When you're busy, figuring out the best ways to share and promote the Christmas Joy Offering can be difficult. So, we've highlighted important facts, histories, statistics, and programs to make it easier to inspire your congregation to get involved. In this guide, you will find a variety of materials to help you promote the Christmas Joy Offering and teach your members about the work supported by their gifts.
Free Download
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Resources by Category
Minutes for Mission
Curriculum
Worship Resources
Bulletin Inserts
Promotional Items
All Resources
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Common Questions
How can I order print resources?
Visit pcusastore.com or contact Customer Service by calling 800-533-4371, or email customer_service@presbypub.com to order bulletin inserts, posters, and other free offering materials.
How do I change my standing order?
To check or revise your standing order, call Customer Service at 800-533-4371 or email customer_service@presbypub.com.
Where do I send my Offering?
Congregations remit through their normal receiving agency (usually the presbytery) or Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) P.O. Box 643700 Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700. Mid Councils remit to Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) P.O. Box 643751 Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3751
We've always supported the Christmas Joy Offering because it contributes to the well-being of those who have made a life decision to serve the church. It helps them not have to choose between housing and food.
Jim Irwin, Elder, First Presbyterian Church, Othello, WA
Christmas Joy
I am so proud to be part of a church body that cares for its members this way, and I only pray we will always care for one another through our Board of Pensions programs in the way that my family has been assisted.
Rev. John R. Scotland, Community Presbyterian Church, Brigantine, NJ
Christmas Joy
Pan Am helped me find faith on my own. It helped me grow in a lot of ways, and it added perspective to my faith.
Joshua Karangwa, Graduate, Presbyterian Pan American School
Christmas Joy
It is wonderful that the church does not forget those who worked in Presbyterian ministries at home and abroad.
Rev. Ralph Hamburger, Honorably Retired, Pasadena, CA
Christmas Joy
Central in my mind as to why give to the Christmas Joy Offering is that it is going to allow ministry to happen, and you just never know what that ministry is going to be.
Rev. Shelley Wiley, Honey Creek Presbyterian Church in New Carlisle, Ohio
Christmas Joy
I really do want to help people. I know that sounds like a cliché, but that (desire to help) is what I got from Menaul.
Lucianna Astorga, Student, Menaul School
Christmas Joy
stories of impact and engagement
See how the Christmas Joy Offering changes lives:
Christmas Joy
Navigating the Road to Retirement
Christmas Joy
Ready to Run the World
Christmas Joy
Where the Heart is
participate with us
When we all do a little
it adds up to a lot.
For those supported through the Christmas Joy Offering, this help is truly a gift from above. May our gifts, and the leaders who receive them, point us always to the truth of the one whose birth we celebrate, Jesus Christ — the truly perfect gift.
