Presbyterians hope to make an impact on Giving Tuesday

Much of the holiday season is focused on getting gifts, but the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is encouraging Presbyterians to give by taking part in Giving Tuesday.

Today, people across the country are donating money to their favorite charities, and Presbyterians are joining in and giving to various Presbyterian ministries.

“Giving Tuesday is almost like an answer to our spending on ourselves or material things,” said Terri Bate, the Presbyterian Mission Agency’s senior director of funds development. “It’s a way for us to respond to how God calls us to give.”

Via the Presbyterian Mission Exchange, a website operated by the Presbyterian Foundation, Presbyterians can donate to congregations, mid councils, ministries and Special Offerings.

As of Tuesday afternoon, the Foundation had processed about $4,000 worth of donations, with most gifts falling in the $25-$100 range, said Rob Bullock, the Foundation’s vice president of marketing and communications.

“We know that Presbyterians love their churches and love the ministries that have been created,” Bullock said, adding that gifts to congregations, presbyteries and Special Offerings have been the most common. “Giving our first fruits — the best we have to offer — is core to who we are as Christians.”

Presbyterians are encouraged to share their participation in Giving Tuesday via social media, especially Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Using the hashtags #givingtuesday, #pcusa and #unselfie, Presbyterians can share photos and stories of how and why they’ve given.