Nelson's Receipts Help IGNITE Ministry

Just a quick thanks to all of the Journey North Church attenders who so faithfully turn in receipts from Nelson's Market each quarter! The money we get back from Nelson's for these receipts goes to help our Ignite student ministry and we really appreciate the assistance.

One of the things that has driven our ministry from the beginning is that we don't want to be known for always trying to raise money. Sometimes youth ministries fall into the trap of constant fund raising. I've heard it said that some youth groups are better at creating young capitalists than young Christ-followers. Not that there's anything wrong with being a capitalist - it's just not the reason we exist as a ministry.

That doesn't mean we won't ever do a fundraiser, it just means that when we do have a fundraiser it will be very low-key and behind-the-scenes. We want to be known as a youth group (and a church) that is looking for ways to bless and give to the community, not out trying to get stuff.

Our ministry is primarily supported by our church body (through the annual budget) and individual student event registrations. These are supplemented by low-key fundraisers like the Nelson's Community Cash program. When we have events that are more expensive (like Fall Fling, Districts, Nationals, and mission trips) we look for ways to provide students with an opportunity to work and earn extra money for these events.

All of that is to say - keep on saving those receipts and turn them in either to the office or in the "Joy Box" each week at worship. I found out this week that the receipts - which are submitted quarterly - have to come from that particular quarter. In other words, if your receipt is from an earlier quarter it doesn't qualify for the rebate. Their rules are that all receipts must be dated within the calendar quarter that is due (no exceptions). Here's the schedule:

• Receipts saved from January - March must be turned in no later than April 15th
• Receipts saved from April - June must be turned in no later than July 15th.
• Receipts saved from July - September must be turned in no later than October 15th.
• Receipts saved from October - December must be turned in no later than January 15th.

Thanks to Elaine Westman who heads up this effort each quarter. And thanks to all of our church body for all of your support in this small but very helpful area!