BAPTIST WOMEN'S E-LINK - DECEMBER 2011

You are reading the December 2011 E-LINK, a monthly newsletter e-mailed from Canadian Baptist Women of Ontario and Quebec (CBWOQ) to all who are interested in CBWOQ's vision and work, and to all who serve and lead on CBWOQ's behalf.

Thank you for sharing the information in this E-LINK with everyone in your church.

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Brenda's Blessings

Dear friends,
2011 has been an amazing year and now we are looking ahead to an exciting 2012!

Thank you to each of you who have made an impact, personally and organizationally!  We are "women mobilizing women"!

My November connection opportunities included CBOQ's ReIgnite conference; our Leadership Training Weekend; Omemee Baptist's "Women on the Move" event; and co-presenting to the CBOQ board with our president, Cheryl Peck. In December, a special treat for me will be sharing with the Mississauga Chinese Baptist Church women's Sunday school class on December 11.

Your prompt attention is needed for our planning:
1.  Our two short-term missions planned for 2012
        : Lebanon, June 13-27. We need five women signed up by January 15 for this to happen.
        : First Nations, Mistissini, Que., August 16-28. We need your applications by April 1. I'm excited about the number of women who've already expressed interest in going, so please send in your application early - this will help us decide on the team. Please go to our website: www.baptistwomen.com/what's new/missions to get more details. Do share those details with all who may be interested.

2. United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, New York City: February 26 - March 2. Please contact me if you would like to be considered for the small group that will go. My contact information: bmann@baptist.ca or 416-620-2953.

For 2012 monthly opportunities to connect with Baptist women of all ages, please go to our website and visit our online calendar, or go to our resources/forms section and download the form called OPPORTUNITIES TO CONNECT: www.baptistwomen.com/resources/forms. The calendar is attached to this E-LINK for you to download. Of course, our facebook page will always carry news and comments on all the planned events: www.facebook.com/ Canadian Baptist Women of Ontario and Quebec.

My sincere thanks to your generous contributions towards our budget through your women's group; church budget; monthly automated donation; In Honor and In Memory cards. Just in time for Christmas, we're delighted to offer you "the Gift Card that really makes a difference." We've attached a copy of the card for you to see. For delivery to you in time for Christmas giving, contact us by December 15 with the number of cards you would like and your payment ($10 minimum donation per card). We will then put the cards in the next day's mail to you.

Finally, I found this information sheet from Canada Helps very helpful in understanding charitable tax credits and thought I would share it with you as well.
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Understanding Charitable Tax Credits
 
Not only is giving to charity a great act of generosity and support, it helps Canadians claim a credit on our taxes as well. Many people don't understand exactly what the credit is or how it works for them.
 
There is both a federal and a provincial charitable tax credit that you can claim. The federal tax credit is the same for all Canadians and breaks down as follows:
    •    The tax credit on your first $200 in donations is 15%
    •    Any amount donated above $200 is eligible for a 29% tax credit
If you made a donation of $500 and wanted to claim the tax credit, you would be able to claim:
    •    15% of the first $200 = $30
    •    29% of the remaining $300 = $87
That represents a $117 savings on your taxes! Of course, the more you give, the more you're able to save. To find out the provincial tax credits you are also eligible to receive on top of the federal amount, visit the Tax Credit Table on the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) website.
 
Did You Know?
    •    Donations must be made by December 31st in order to be claimed on that year's taxes.
    •    To claim a donation on your taxes, you must donate to a registered Canadian charity. To make sure your organization is registered, visit the CRA website: www.cra-arc.gc.ca/charities.
    •    You and your spouse can claim donations made by the other to maximize the tax benefit.
    •    Donating appreciated securities (stocks or mutual funds) is the most tax effective way to give. You pay no capital gains tax and you get the charitable tax credit.
    •    You can claim unused charitable donations on your taxes for up to 5 years. If you've given less than $200 one year, you might want to claim that donation in a year when it will maximize the amount you can claim.    
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May you enjoy special Advent and Christmas celebrations in your area. In Toronto, Oasis Dufferin Community Centre celebrates on December 9 and the South Asian Welcome Centre on December 10.

Sincere Christmas blessings,

Brenda Mann
Executive director
Canadian Baptist Women of Ontario and Quebec


In this E-LINK:
1.    Project of the Month - Support CBWOQ
2.    Calling Cards - order them now
3.    No login/password necessary to read all the pages on Baptist Women's website
4.    What's New on our website
5.    Missions personnel January birthdays

1.    Project of the Month - Support CBWOQ
CBWOQ believe in making a difference, one woman, one girl at a time. That difference isn't possible without your generous support. Monthly Automated Donations (MAD), In Honor/In Memory cards, Association givings, Gift cards, The Link & Visitor subscriptions . . . all different ways to support women mobilizing women. Thank you for helping us meet our 2011 budget and for supporting us through 2012.

2.     Calling Cards - order them now
At our Leadership Weekend, almost 2,000 calling cards were distributed to the women's ministry links, board members, Link & Visitor reps, and young women who attended. With calligraphy by CBWOQ board member Ann-Margret Hovsepian on the front and information about CBWOQ on the back, you'll want to give this card out to anyone who asks you about CBWOQ and its ministry and mission. Don't be at a loss for words - order some cards from our office and distribute them - in your groups, on the welcome table in your church's sanctuary, at your next Association event. They're free.

3.    No login/password necessary to read all the pages on Baptist Women's website
Please, don't be shy! You don't need to login, register as a user or get a password to read all the pages on Baptist Women's website. Just go to http://www.baptistwomen.com and enjoy all the news, missions and events updates, stories and photos that are there . . . written and submitted by Baptist women.

4.    What's New on our website
What's New: Events gallery - Leadership Weekend 2011 photos
What's New: Missions updates on 2012 short-term missions
What's New: Events calendar - 12 CBWOQ events to help you connect, grow and make a difference. Browse through the calendar, pick an event and call us for more information.
The Link & Visitor: November/December 2011 cover plus feature article Seeds by Stella Papadopoulos

5.     Missions personnel January birthdays
ACTIVE: 10-Mireille Haddad (Lebanon), 29-Kathleen Soucy (Rwanda)
RETIREES: 16-Shirley Heatlie, 21-Malcolm Card
CBM CHILDREN: 23-Anna Grove (Cameroon), 27-Caleb Bustin (Indonesia)

For more information about Canadian Baptist Ministries personnel, call Anne Drost at 905-821-3533

If you wish to unsubscribe to the E-LINK or change the contact person, call the office at 416-620-2954.

BAPTIST WOMEN'S E-LINK
Produced by Renee James, director of communications on November 30, 2011
416-651-8967 or rsejames@gmail.com

Published by Canadian Baptist Women of Ontario and Quebec
Suite 100, 304 The East Mall, Toronto, ON M9B 6E2
416-620-2954 or bwoq@baptist.ca
www.baptistwomen.com