With SBCC’s Christmas offering, we honor the generosity of God with our own generosity. Each year, we give above and beyond our regular contributions to further the work of a community of grace and peace for our city and the world.
Most years, our Christmas offering objectives are broken out into categories: “community” (resourcing the congregational life of our church), “city” (supporting local partners and helping our church show up with our neighbors) and “world” (supporting long-distance partners and making it possible for our church to show up beyond South Bend).
This year, though, as our work becomes more integrated across these domains, you’ll see objectives that don’t neatly fit into one of those categories. We’re still in it for the mission of our church and the good of our city and world, and this year our objectives stretch across those areas.
Here’s where this year’s Christmas offering will go:
Beauty and flourishing in our neighborhoods:
- St. Margaret’s House – Our neighbors just one block south, St. Margaret’s House is a day center for women and children that serves about 1,000 women each year. They recently announced their capital campaign to create a beautiful, trauma-informed space designed to meet their specific needs that will allow them to serve more women, more effectively, while providing the support their guests need. In addition to supporting their capital campaign, we will be providing storage for St. Margaret’s House during their renovations.
- Exterior enhancements for The Tribune – we’ll power wash the exterior, upgrade the lighting in the alley under the bridge, make wayfinding easier for parking, refresh the east side landscaping bed, and visually integrate electrical components tied to our new signage and solar panels. These improvements aren’t just good for our building – they’ll help beautify the neighborhood.
Kindred communities beyond South Bend:
- Redeemer Central Church – Our sister church in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Redeemer is pursuing a calling that’s deeply aligned with our own as they steward a historic property in the heart of their city. From the beginning of SBCC, our two churches have benefitted from mutual learning and encouragement. In 2026, leaders from Redeemer will come to South Bend so we can deepen the collaboration.
- Peacemaking Pilgrimages – We’ll continue to convene pilgrimage cohorts to travel and learn about the peacemaking way of Jesus in the midst of conflict and injustice, and scholarships ensure that these cohorts include people who may not have financial means to participate.
Financial stability for SBCC:
- Thanks to the faithfulness of many, our church continues to move toward financial health after facing some significant challenges stemming from the COVID pandemic disruption. We’re getting close to our goal of at least three months’ general expenses in reserve, and a successful Christmas offering will help us get closer.
Our goal for this years Christmas Offering is $50,000 to be divvied among the objectives. You can give at this link through January 11, 2026.
