Christmas Offering Letter 2024 - Generously Support Puente de la Costa Sur and Common Hope

Sep 11, 2026

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Christmas Offering letter dated December 6, 2024, inviting First Church Berkeley UCC members and friends to participate during the first week of Advent, the week of Hope. Maureen Prochaska writes about Holy Hope and asks how the congregation can energize themselves to see signs of hope. It introduces two recipients—Puente de la Costa Sur and Common Hope—describing their missions and sharing a family story from Guatemala. The letter provides specific ways to donate online, via PayPal, or by check and encourages giving to support service to those in need.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLetters

FormatPDF

Pages1

AccessFree to download

Christmas Offering and Advent Hope

Recipients and Their Impact

How to Donate

December 6, 2024 Dear Friends and Members of First Church Berkeley UCC, Star Stuf. How has this Advent theme become a part of your waiting time for Christmas? I am writing this Christmas Offering letter during the first week of Advent, the week of Hope when Rev. Kelly has asked us through her sermon and prayers to look for signs of hope. Her first prayer has stayed with me: Holy Hope, energize us to the bone, that we might see the signs ofyour coming all around us. How can we energize ourselves to see the hope in the world? One way is to learn about our two Christmas Offering recipients Puente de la Costa Sur and Common Hope; two organizations that are grounded by their vision and mission to bring hope to individuals, families, and their communities. Puente de la Costa Sur works toward building a healthy, sustainable, and inclusive South Coast community. In the communities of Pescadero, La Honda, Loma Mar, and San Gregorio, Puente advocates for equitable access to education, health and mental health services, and economic security. Your donation will allow Puente to purchase $100 Safeway gift cards for people in the 62+ Connection and Wellbeing Program who are experiencing food insecurity. First Church Berkeley has been connected to Puente since 2001; take a look at Puente’s informative website to see their recent hopeful news. [https://mypuente.org](https://mypuente.org) Common Hope creates opportunities for families in Guatemala to break the cycle of poverty and build amore hopeful future. They provide support for education, family development, health care, and housing. Common Hope shared this story: In 2011, the Chacon family sought Common Hope ’s support to ensure that all of their [six] children stay in school, be successful learners and have access to health services. Through the commitment, dedication and encouragement of their parents, three of the children are pursuing university level education and the youngest, Oscar, recently graduatedfrom high school afteryears of dealing with a severe health issue. Each ofthe children contributes to the household income, showcasing not only their individual dedication but also the family ’s collective resilience and aspiration for a brighterfuture. First Church Berkeley has been in partnership with Common Hope since 2006; to learn more about Common Hope’s work, please visit their website. [https://www.commonhope.org](https://www.commonhope.org) We accept Jesus’ call to serve him by serving others-the hungry, the unhoused, the refugee, the immigrant, the oppressed. As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, let us generously support Puente de la Costa Sur and Common Hope. You can donate online [at](at www.onrealm.org)[ www.onrealm.org](at www.onrealm.org) (log in, click Giving, then the blue +Give button, then choose Christmas Offering from the Fund dropdown menu) or at [paypal.me/firstchurchberkeley](paypal.me/firstchurchberkeley. You may also write a check to First Church Berkeley UCC with)[. You may also write a](paypal.me/firstchurchberkeley. You may also write a check to First Church Berkeley UCC with)[ check to First Church Berkeley UCC](paypal.me/firstchurchberkeley. You may also write a check to First Church Berkeley UCC with)[ with](paypal.me/firstchurchberkeley. You may also write a check to First Church Berkeley UCC with)[ ](paypal.me/firstchurchberkeley. You may also write a check to First Church Berkeley UCC with)[Christmas Offering in the memo line](Christmas Offering in the memo line), and mail to First Church Berkeley UCC, 2330 Durant Ave., Berkeley, CA 94704, or you can put it in the offering plate on Christmas Eve. Thank you for your very generous support of Puente de la Costa Sur and Common Hope. Blessings, Maureen Prochaska, Chair, writing for your Justice and Service Ministry Stan Boghosian, Barbara Grady-Ayer, Doris Lynch, Chuck Monroe, and Susan Shome First Church Berkeley UCC | 2345 Channing Way | Berkeley, CA 94704 (510) [848-3696 | info@f

FAQs

Who is the recipient organization featured in the letter for the Christmas offering?

The letter highlights two recipients: Puente de la Costa Sur and Common Hope. It explains how each organization uses donations to support people and families in their communities.

What does Puente de la Costa Sur do, and how will donations help?

Puente de la Costa Sur works to build a healthy, sustainable, and inclusive South Coast community, advocating for access to education and health-related services. The donation will fund $100 Safeway gift cards for participants in the 62+ Connection and Wellbeing Program experiencing food insecurity.

How can someone donate to the Christmas offering?

Donations can be made online via OnRealm, through PayPal at paypal.me/firstchurchberkeley, or by check to First Church Berkeley UCC with “Christmas Offering” in the memo line. The letter also notes placing the check in the offering plate on Christmas Eve.

Sep 11, 2026

Upload by Jake