CTCYM Beyond Our Borders FAQs

 

Anticipated Questions

Q: What is Water for Life?
A: Water for Life is an Advance project constructing wells to provide clean water and bring dignity of life to communities in Liberia. They have an annual financial goal of more than $66,000. The long-term goal is that more than 50,000 residents in 40 communities will have access to safe and clean drinking water, thus reducing water-born diseases and improving the health situation of residents. Dependence on creeks, rivers, and streams will be eliminated. The Advance is an accountable, designated giving arm of The United Methodist Church that ensures 100% of each gift is used for its intended mission or ministry. All gifts to Advance projects, including this one, count toward a church’s annual giving.
 
Q: Do we have to do our fundraiser the weekend of September 19-20?
A: While you can do your fundraiser any time, all donations to be included in this year’s gift should be returned to CTCYM by Tuesday, October 13. Plus, there might be a motivational factor for group members knowing that their friends around the Conference are raising money for the same project on the same weekend.
 
Q: Where do I find the posters and letters?
A: Follow this link to the Beyond Our Borders Resources. You can download all resources there.
 
Q: What kind of fundraiser should we do?
A: There are a lot of options. You might consider something that focuses on drawing attention to the need for water. Here are a few suggestions from the Advisory Committee:
      For Your Youth Ministries
  • Walk for Water: supporters sponsor youth as they walk a specified distance with filled water jugs simulating how women in Africa have to carry extremely heavy jugs for 2+ miles, often up hill.
  • Water Balloon or Water Gun Tournament: supporters pay to play and/or watch the game.
  • Pool Party: charge a fee for admittance and encourage everyone to bring a friend.
  • Car Wash or Mobile Car Wash: supporters sign up in advance and you go to their homes to wash the car.
  • Rake Leaves or other yard work
  • Parents Night Out
 
     For Your Whole Church
  • Tap Water for Well Water: encourage everyone in your congregation to drink tap water for a week and donate the money they saved by not buying soft drinks, bottled water, etc. to this project. They can put $1.50 in a jar each time they drink a glass of tap water. Or to estimate their savings: an average of $1.50 per drink, 5 drinks a day for seven days, the total amount would be $52.50 per person!
  • Special Offering: Take up a special offering during Sunday morning worship
 
For Your Children’s Ministries (yeah, get the children involved too!)
  • Bottles for Change: On the week before: give children an empty water bottle and have them fill them with loose change during the week.
  • M&M Canister for Change: Fill up M&M canisters with loose change and quarters.
 
Q: Should supporters send their donations to CTCYM or make their checks to CTCYM?
A: No. All donations should be made to the church. Then, the church should write one check to CTCYM and send it with the CTCYM Beyond Our Borders Donation form. Sending one check is the only way your church will receive credit for your annual apportionments.
 
Q: When do we need to have donations to the CTCYM office?
A: To be included in this year’s gift to Water for Life, donations should be postmarked to CTCYM along with the CTCYM Beyond Our Borders donation form by Tuesday, October 12.