The roots of Retired Minister and Missionaries Offering (RMMO) go back to the mid-1930s, when American Baptist congregations received a Communion Fellowship Offering on the first Sunday of each month to support retired ministers, missionaries, their widowed spouses and elderly clergy within their churches. In 1977 American Baptist Churches USA launched the Retired Ministers and Missionaries Offering (RMMO) to continue this time-honored tradition of expressing thankfulness.
This year our theme is The Grace of Giving. Through the simple yet profound act of giving, American Baptist churches can share in an act of Grace that reminds the ministers, missionaries and widowed spouses who served so faithfully that they are remembered with love and gratitude.
The offering supports those who have dedicated their lives to God’s service by providing emergency assistance in times of need and a thank you check at the end of each year. We hope that RMMO will continue to serve as a joyous tradition for ABC congregations and that you will be greatly enriched this season by The Grace of Giving.
Past letters to promote RMMO are shown below:
Dear members and friends,
Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 1:3 “We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” Paul is encouraged by the faith and strong sense of community of the new converts and urges them to show appreciation of those who provide leadership for their faith journey.
The roots of the Retired Ministers and Missionaries Offering (RMMO) go back to the mid 1930’s. In 1977, American Baptist Churches USA launched the RMMO to continue this appreciation. This offering sends a “Thank You” in the form of a check at the end of the year for the commitment and services and spiritual guidance of those who have devoted their lives to God’s service.
RMMO provides financial support for the retired ministers, missionaries, and widowed spouses who have help build our churches. The assistance provided by RMMO restores the lifeline and ongoing connection to the ABC family.
We hope that RMMO will continue to serve as a rich tradition for our congregation and help be an inspiration for so many who have served with gladness. The focus of this year’s offering is Inspiration + Community as we acknowledge that those who have served in ministry have inspired our faith walk and helped to foster a strong sense of Christian community. Please help us reach our goal for this year of $500.00.
Yours in the faith,
Mae B. Upperman
Mission Board Chair
Since 1935, American Baptists have contributed to special offerings received in their churches for retired ABC ministers and missionaries or their widowed spouses. In 1977, American Baptist Churches USA launched the Retired Ministers and Missionaries Offering (RMMO) to continue this tradition of thanks.
Today, RMMO is a tangible way for the American Baptist congregations to say “Thank you for …” the commitment, service and spiritual guidance of retired ministers, missionaries and their widowed spouses. ?This year, we have redesigned the structure and theme of this offering to make it both more meaningful to church members and easier to administer. ?Our theme of “Thank you for…” encourages people to share their stories of gratitude as a personalized way to build a sense of community within the church. ?The updated materials work together to showcase church members’ thankfulness and generosity through RMMO.
The offering supports those who have devoted 15 or more years of their lives to God’s service by providing emergency assistance in times of need and a thank you check at the end of each year. ?We hope you are inspired to make RMMO and its culture of gratitude a tradition in your congregation.
Thank you for…your support.