Presbyterians have long celebrated the Advent season with special gifts and offerings. The Christmas Joy Offering (www.pcusa.org/cjoffering) dates back to the 1930’s, and is used to support current and future church workers and their families.
Half the collection is allocated to the Board of Pensions, and is used for emergency financial needs for current and retired ministers, missionaries and their families. Mini-grants are awarded for housing assistance, medical care and disaster relief.
The other half of the Joy Collection develops future church leaders by supporting Presbyterian schools and colleges. Funds are allocated to both scholarships and operations. At these schools, students “enter to learn and depart to serve”.
