Happy Easter Everyone!
Now that the Easter holiday is behind us I am sure everyone is ready to begin working on finalizing your annual budget for the next fiscal year--at least those of you whose fiscal year runs July through June. Are you budgeting in a few extra dollars for children's offering envelopes?
Why should you have children's envelopes available? The children are Today's Church....and Tomorrow's Church.
Children should be learning now the fundamentals of Stewardship. The giving of one's Time, Talent, and Treasure for all they have been blessed with. The offering envelope allows parents and youth educators the opportunity to have discussions with children on the fundamentals of Stewardship. Envelopes also allow children the opportunity to participate in the offertory at Mass.
I remember when I was young I would fight with my twin brother on who got to drop the envelope in the basket when it was passed around because we did not have children's envelopes! Now, my parish supplies envelopes to the children and when it is time for the offertory collection the children all get up and go to the altar where Father is waiting with a basket to collect the children's gifts. They enjoy the chance to get up and get a "high five" from Father or a smile and a pat on the head. On the first Sunday of the month the children also bring up a perishable food item to help stock the shelves of the local food pantry. These activities allow me, as a parent, to have a discussion with my children on why we share our gifts of money with the church and how those monies support important missions to help those less fortunate. We also discuss why we are sharing our box of mac-n-cheese to help feed those that have no food or little money to buy food. Lastly, we get to sit down and fill out the envelope together as the children's envelopes have lines for time, talent and treasure. We talk about saying extra prayers for those that are suffering or are struggling with things that need God's assistance and guidance. As an added benefit I am reminded to use my envelopes and reflect on my gift to the church in support of God's work.
I guarantee you will not bring in large amounts of monies from the children's envelopes, but you will be providing them with lessons on Stewardship that are priceless. Isn't a few hundred dollars for children's envelopes worth this lifelong lesson?
Children's envelopes are a vital component of an Annual Offertory and Communications Plan. We have lots of ways to make sure you launch a successful children's envelope program. I would love to hear your stories on your children's envelope program at your parish.
Have a blessed day!
