SPC News

Stewardship Kick Off and Virtual Committee Fair

38 Don’t hold back—give freely, and you’ll have plenty poured back into your lap—a good measure, pressed down, shaken together, brimming over. You’ll receive in the same measure you give. [Luke 6:38]

Dear Church Family,

As always, we begin with a great big “Thank You” for all that you give of your time, talent, and treasures. With the excessive needs of our community this year, we are especially grateful for the willingness to share what we have. We have already demonstrated a spirit of generosity for our neighbors, and for each other, as we came together in so many ways during this pandemic and world events. From rapidly shifting to a virtual platform of togetherness in worship and fellowship, to emergency assistance funds used to provide for those who are food and shelter insecure, all while sustaining our own church enterprise, we constantly overcome adversity. The key is we do it together. Attached in this mailing is a report of contributions from each of our committees. This is not an ideal substitute for the committee fair we host every year, but it provides insight into how your donations are put to work for our mission. For our campaign this year, we ask to continue the spirit of generosity that lives in each of us. Generosity takes the form of financial support, giving back a portion of what is given to us. It also takes the form of time and talent through participation in committee work where you feel called. New ideas that fall beyond the scope of existing committee work are also welcome. We pray for each and every one of you, as you discern your personal call to give.

Times of crisis as we have experienced in 2020 have brought to the forefront the need to care for our neighbors. The needs are many and not equally dispersed. Redistribution by giving to those less fortunate in ways that may be uncomfortable, are what we are called to do. Less privileged families are forced to choose between work to provide for their children, and to provide guidance that will ensure safety and healthy cognitive development. As we approach a new year let us join forces in continuing to care for the needs of our neighbors.

By giving to this campaign, you are giving to the stewardship of our church, and our community. Accessibility to God’s house requires labor and funding. Peace and justice mission work requires labor and funding. Worshipping God through music and prayer requires resources. Educating our children requires love, labor, and resources. Time to discern stewardship, manage the finances, welcome new members, reach out to those who seek, all require resources that we as a congregation commit to every year. Much has been done. Much is left to do.

We look forward to another year of sharing the special gifts of our church family. Please review the good work of our many committees and what they are sharing with you included in this correspondence. This year in lieu of our stewardship brunch we will hold a virtual retreat where we will report on the success of the 2020 pledge year and once again examine who we have been, and who we are meant to be as we continue on our journey of spreading Christ’s message of love to all we encounter – this time in the face of structural changes that have forever changed our world. This will take place directly after church on November 1. We will also choose to celebrate Gratitude Sunday on November 1 st through a virtual celebration of us. Can’t wait to see you there!

We are enclosing a poem called Reimagine: Love By Another Way by Sarah Are of Sanctified.org. This is the contribution of the stewardship committee. We believe it adequately expresses who we are, and who we strive to be, during these times. We are the committee that encourages us to reimagine ourselves every time we decide how to use our time, talents, and treasure.

Enjoy!

In God’s Service, The Stewardship Committee

Chairs: Deb Dwyer and Mike Tucci

Members: Harry Janson, Robert McCarthy, Jessica Suhadolink, Sheila Towers

Finance Secretary: Mark Aicher

And possibly: You

Church School on Zoom at 10:30AM

Church School for children ages preschool through 6th grade will meet in a class for all ages on Zoom at 10:30AM on Sunday mornings. Children will join the same Zoom meeting link for Fellowship Hour and be sent into a virtual “breakout room” for their class. Watch your email for the link!