We will all be expecting visitors to our churches over the next few weeks as we enjoy the festivities of Advent and Christmas. Many of you are already working hard to prepare for these events, here are some tips to support you in making the most of your contactless giving device over the next month.
- Decorate your device! Add some sparkle with a decorative background which you can edit to be personalised to your church - download from the Church of England here. Why not add some tinsel or fairy lights to draw attention to the area? Generosity is a form of worship, so tie it into the season as much as you can.
- Location, location, location! Make sure your visitors can see and access the machine easily when they come into your building. It sounds simple, but often the device is hidden behind welcomers, far off in the corner or camouflaged by clutter! If you have rearranged an area of the church or are doing things differently, move the contactless machine too!
- Hark! Make a point in your festive services to encourage people to give generously. Everyone should have the opportunity to be generous, make sure you share the spirit of the season with them, too. The story of the Widow’s offering in Mark 12:41-43 shows us that Jesus cared more about the heart behind the gift than the amount given.
41 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. 43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others.
See the National Giving Team’s ‘Christmas Generosity’ Newsletter with more tips, here