Funds are raised by receiving offerings from church members and selling stained-glass ornaments, a feature that debuted two years ago. Bulletin covers with art depicting the Joy to the World campaign theme for 2000 are available free of charge. A Joy to the World poster, two bulletin inserts in Korean and offering envelopes in Korean are available for the first time for Korean members and congregations. Finn said pledge booklets promoting the program, complete with order forms, a history of the event and activities for children, were mailed last month. More than 16,000 were shipped to Christian educators, congregations, churches, synods and presbyteries.
Additional packets are available on request.
BOP's assistance programs offer help to both retired and active church workers and their families. These programs supplement the individual's regular benefits in cases of extraordinary need. Shared grants are provided for eligible church workers or surviving spouses in an emergency or special financial need. BOP and the employing church, organization or presbytery share in funding these grants. Last year, through Christmas Joy Offering funds, BOP assisted more than 500 church workers, mostly retired.