Giving and going in imitation of Christ
Holiday money is a welcome financial boost for many people, for example for a relaxing trip, a family outing or a home investment. But within the church of Christ, we are also called to look beyond our own needs. What if your holiday money - or part of it - could be a blessing to someone else? For people near and far, living in brokenness, poverty or hopelessness?
For those who want to share something of their abundance, the diaconal causes of our churches are a meaningful destination. Through the national diaconate, we support projects at home and abroad. This is how Christian compassion gets hands and feet. Think of help for refugees, support for food projects, care for those without an income or practical help for families. Your contribution helps people in need and shows something of God's loving care.
Valuable holidays
Holidays themselves can also be diaconal in nature. Why not spend a week helping in a drop-in centre, helping at a Christian holiday camp for vulnerable young people, or volunteering to join a diaconal project at home or abroad? Such holidays are valuable for others and very enriching for yourself. You make real contact, see another person's life up close and learn what serving in imitation of Christ means.
Enjoy and bear witness
How nice it would be if you choose a project that aligns with your holiday goal, so that others can also enjoy that holiday. Do you enjoy hiking in nature? If so, you could make a eco-project can choose. Families opting for a child-friendly holiday can share something with vulnerable children. If you like to eat out, you might want to tip a food security project. And those who especially enjoy holiday freedom can express it with a donation to a project in a closed country. In short, our 50 projects offer many opportunities to give a testimony of God's love for us, but also through us, this summer.
Gratitude
Summer is a time of rest, but also of reflection. By sharing your holiday money with diaconal causes of our churches and spending your holidays in the service of others, you are visibly living out the gospel. You give something of your abundance - time, money, attention - to people who need it. In doing so, you not only give, you also receive: gratitude, connection and deepening in your faith.
Rev Erjan van der Linde, diaconal consultant
