Season of Giving, A Year of Mission

Once a year, BMPC’s Advent Giving for Mission (AGM) supports numerous charitable organizations with donations that directly assist people in need. Advent Giving for Mission allows us to highlight who we are as a congregation in mission, and it gives donors the opportunity to designate how they would like to distribute their contributions to their chosen agencies supported by the church throughout the year. 

Last year, fourteen BMPC councils and mission committees participated, and their chosen charities received over $55,000 raised through the AGM program. 

This year marks the fifth time BMPC mission partner The Common Place (TCP) will be among the AGM recipients. TCP has been in Southwest Philadelphia since 2013, providing holistic support to children and their families through educational and after-school programs, youth leadership development, food justice initiatives, and community collaboration.

Core initiatives for youth at TCP include A Common Youth Initiative, which engages youth in hands-on community projects focused on poverty, food insecurity, education, and environmental justice; The Scholars Enrichment Afterschool Program, which provides structured academic support; and the newly launched Southwest Leadership Continuum, a high school pipeline initiative that strengthens college readiness, workforce exposure, and leadership skills. Areas of focus include developing writing and public speaking skills, managing finances, college tours, and visits to local corporations and nonprofits. Rev. Dr. Chris Holland, Executive Director of TCP, is very excited about this new initiative, and it is hoped that funds raised through the AGM will support its growth. 

The Common Place is one of many BMPC partner organizations featured in the 2026 AGM catalog. After reviewing the catalog, donors may select the projects they wish to support. Gifts can also be made in honor of family, friends, or colleagues. Special notification cards are available to share with loved ones, informing them that a gift has been made in their honor and describing the chosen mission project. 

These cards can be included in holiday greetings, adding a meaningful dimension to the season of giving. This year, the AGM will offer a greeting card featuring artist Valerie Craig’s Winter Walk. 

Beginning November 15, tax-deductible donations can be made online at www.BrynMawrAGM.com or by scanning the QR code in the catalog or at the Ministry Center.

We also invite you to the Opening Market Festival on November 22 in Congregational Hall, immediately after the 10:00 a.m. worship service. Representatives from church councils and charitable organizations will be present to share stories about the vital work they are doing. Throughout Advent, donations can also be made in person on Sundays in the Atrium after the 10:00 a.m. service.

Whether you are a longtime supporter or a first-time participant, your generosity is needed now more than ever. Through Advent Giving for Mission, we can extend Christ’s love to neighbors near and far. Join us in giving the gifts of hope, compassion, and joy this Advent season.