My Dear Neighbors in Christ,
We are grateful to have been asked to lead our Stewardship Campaign this year and to spend these weeks with intention as we enter a season of giving. Our theme this year is Walk in Love, and it calls us to remember that our greatest gift in community is how we align, come together in purpose and mission.
When we walk in the same direction, we can do so many things.
During this season we talk a lot about money, about our budget. Yes, those things are important, they are the way we fund the Church, but our real focus is on what our gifts can do for the world. Jesus calls us to heal, visit, feed, accompany, protect, advocate, love our neighbor, and sharing our time, talent, and treasure is the way that we make this happen.
Each of us hears this call differently, just as each of us has been blessed by God differently. Our talents and training have been gifts freely given to us in Creation so that we may share them with a world in need. How will you feel God’s call to walk in love this year? How will you determine how you will share your gifts with God’s people in the world?
In the coming week you should receive a mailing with an invitation to make your promise to the Church for the year to come. Before you fill it out, whether online or on paper, we ask that you pray about it, discuss it with your family, and discern how God is calling you to share your gifts. Pay special attention to both sides of the form and let us know what time and talent offerings you would like to learn more about this year.
Our campaign will launch with a luncheon on Sunday, November 3rd. This will be a catered event to begin sharing our stories. At this event we will offer sign-ups to host or attend a Walk in Love home dinner. This dinners are an opportunity to share our stories of walking in love in a more personal setting. The campaign will end on November 24th, please return your answer to us by then if possible so that we may count your pledge in our ingathering where your gift will be added to many others to be blessed, broken, and shared with the world. If there is anything we can do to support you or questions we can answer, please do not hesitate to reach out.