As we look forward to 2026, we will celebrate 50 years of Gospel impact on our church campus. While we celebrate all that God has done over the past 50 years, we continue to look to the future for even greater impact. We want to see even more BREAKTHROUGH in our church and community. Throughout 2026, we will stay outreach-focused to intentionally reach people for more Gospel impact in our community, New England, and worldwide.
In 2026, we will focus on 5 intentional opportunities to help our church see BREAKTHROUGH and accomplish our vision of transforming New England with the Gospel. We will focus on Benevolence and Care, Leadership Development, Missional Church Planting, Missional Church Revitalization, and Campus Environments.
The Focus Areas
of This Offering
BENEVOLENCE AND CARE:
The current economic climate has affected many people in our community and region. As economic times continue to grow harder for people, the demand to help those in need is growing. We desire to fund a benevolent outreach fund that can meet financial needs of members and attenders of our church, our community, and region as we become aware of them. We want to be a light during the dark times and speak into the brokenness around us by assisting with physical needs such as utility bills, food, clothing, medical expenses, vehicle expenses, and rent. Throughout 2026 we will also continue to support our area public schools, local shelters, and community organizations. Having funds on hand for benevolence will help us accomplish this.
We would like to raise $10,000 for benevolence outreach.
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT:
Developing strong leaders through City United Church will help support our vision to transform New England with the Gospel. Growing up the next generation of leaders will also help move our church into the future so that it can sustain and multiply. We also desire to be a training center for church planting and church revitalization in our region. As we move into 2026, we need to expand our leadership development programs.
We need to raise $15,000 for leadership development.
MISSIONAL CHURCH PLANTING:
God wants to work through us to reach the people of New England by making disciples, planting new churches, and establishing missional gospel communities. We are committed to supporting churches in New England who need our help as they minister to and reach the people in their communities and contexts. We are also praying that one family from City United Church will obey God's call in their lives and commit to planting a church or leading a missional community outpost. This means we need funds on hand to support church plants, outpost gatherings, and teams in our area and throughout our region.
We need to raise $20,000 for missional Church planting in New England.
MISSIONAL CHURCH REVITALIZATION:
As we look across the landscape of New England, we see churches in need of assistance and resources to move toward health and vitality. City United Church is a God-story of church revitalization and renewal, and our story can help breathe life and vitality into other churches. We are already committed to assisting with the revitalization of On the Rock Community Church in New London, Connecticut, under the leadership of Pastor Rocky and Kim Gammone. However, we want to expand our church revitalization efforts to other churches throughout our region.
We need to raise $20,000 for missional Church revitalization efforts in New England.
CAMPUS ENVIRONMENTS:
City United Church is becoming a training center for churches and ministries all over New England. The use of our facilities to resource and support pastors and church leaders through conferences, training, and mentoring is expanding. Every year, we host Disaster Relief training and Church Vitality Conferences, and other like-minded organizations focused on reaching our region also use our facilities. As we continue to use our campus and spaces to transform New England, we need to make campus improvements that will ensure our impact for years to come.
We need to raise $35,000 for continued campus improvements and upgrades.
Popular Questions
Why a Special Offering?
As part of God’s plan to grow our faith, He calls us to sacrificial giving from time to time. This special Annual Offering is an opportunity for us to grow in our faith and to prepare us for what God wants to do through our church in 2026. This offering is to position our church to make a greater impact in 2026.
What’s the Difference Between the Regular Offering and this special Annual Offering?
The starting point of the regular City United Church offering is the proportional amount (the full tithe of 10%) that we set apart on a systematic basis and give throughout the year (see cityunited.church/give). From time to time there are opportunities to give in a sacrificial way. This special Annual Offering is one of those sacrificial occasions that stretches us to grow in our faith. This special Annual Offering should be above and beyond what you regularly give to the General Fund.
How Much Should I Give?
Since the goal is $100,000, this special Annual Offering will involve everyone. Please prayerfully consider a sacrificial gift that will stretch your faith. The precise amount you give is between you and God. Many in our church can give a $1,000, $5,000 or even a $10,000 gift. Others will be able to give between $100 and $500. The issue is not equal giving, but equal sacrifice. The question is, “What amount can you give that will stretch your faith?” Remember, consistent gifts over time add up – a person giving $50 per week over a ten-week period will give $500 to this special Annual Offering. It is going to take you to make this happen.
Why is the Goal So Large?
We believe that God is Bigger! We are a church that has dared to dream big dreams for God despite setbacks and surprises (James 4:2-3). The ministries supported by this offering are BIG – Benevolence and Care, Leadership Development, Missional Church Planting, Missional Church Revitalization, and Campus Environments. Big dreams require big faith and big funding. The accomplishment of these big dreams will be determined by your sacrificial gifts to this special Annual Offering. Our goal is BIG because our God is BIGGER!
When Should I Give?
The best time to give will be the first Sunday after you receive this packet. However, please pray about making your best gift between Giving Tuesday, December 2 and Sunday, December 7. You can continue to give through 2026 if you desire to break your gifts up over the course of the offering, or God lays it on your heart to give again.
Please use the BREAKTHROUGH offering envelopes or include a note indicating that your gift is for the BREAKTHROUGH special Annual Offering. When using text-to-give, use the keyword “breakthrough.”
Please use the BREAKTHROUGH offering envelopes or include a note indicating that your gift is for the BREAKTHROUGH special Annual Offering. When using text-to-give, use the keyword “breakthrough.”
Can I Give Online via debit/credit card?
Yes. When you give at www.cityunited.church via online giving, simply select “BREAKTHROUGH” under the “Fund” drop-down menu. Likewise, you can use your bank online payment option to send a check directly to the church office. Again, simply mark in the memo area that your gift is for the “BREAKTHROUGH Offering." If you would like to make a special one-time auto/debit above and beyond your regular giving, please do so at www.cityunited.church/give.
Can I Give In-Kind Gifts of Stocks or Bonds?
Of course. Since City United Church is a 501c3 organization there can be tremendous tax benefits for you by giving in-kind gifts. For information on this type of giving, simply call 978-582-4901 to speak with Pastor Gary or e-mail office@cityunited.church.
Are My Gifts Tax-Deductible?
All gifts to City United Church, whether via the regular offering or this special Annual Offering, are completely tax-deductible. Your gift will be deductible in the tax year given (i.e., gifts given in 2025 will be deductible on your 2025 taxes). Please be sure to include your name and address when you give so a receipt can be sent to you for your tax preparations. You are not required to utilize a tax-deduction for your gift, but it is available for all gifts.
How Did We Arrive at a $100,000 Goal?
The $100,000 goal was prayerfully set by City United Church staff and current financial projections. It is approximately five times our regular weekly giving. It is a God-sized goal that can only be accomplished through 100% participation and sacrificial giving by our City United Church attenders, members, and friends of our church. Since we are expecting God to bless this special Annual Offering, it has been determined that any amount over and above our goal will be divided equally between missions and ministry advancement.
How Will I Know if We Reach Our Goal?
Please pray for God’s guidance as we all give sacrificially. You will be updated on our giving progress through this webpage (at the top), our weekly email, during various worship gatherings, and through BREAKTHROUGH mailings. Reaching this goal will be a celebration of what we can do together as we stretch our faith under God’s leadership.
If you have any additional questions, please call 978-582-4901 to
speak with Pastor Gary or e-mail office@cityunited.church
speak with Pastor Gary or e-mail office@cityunited.church