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STEWARDSHIP MINISTRY
GENEROSITY IN CHANGING TIMES Karen Eitreim, Stewardship Ministry Chair See Page 2 of The Voice for the comparison table Let’s face it; this isn’t a great time to ask for money. Conducting a stewardship campaign right now is a rather daunting task. I’ve been on Stewardship Ministry for two years, and both years we’ve spent the last six months of the year furiously engaged in fundraising activities to close a budget shortfall. It’s hard to ask right now, but we are going to. You see, we trust that God’s grace and generosity will provide a solid foundation for The United Churches in 2009. I’ve been reading Anthony Robinson’s book, Common Grace. A UCC pastor long in Seattle, he is undoubtedly familiar to many of you. In an essay titled “Gospel: Problem and Paradox”, he writes about biblical teachings about money. His words certainly seemed relevant for us today: The Gospel teaching about money is equally odd and paradoxical. How will we ever have enough? Just when we think we have enough, college tuitions soar. Just when we imagine we’ve saved enough for retirement, yikes, we may live to be 103 and require twenty-four hour care for years. And then there’s keeping up with the Joneses…. How will we ever have enough? The chant is ever in the background, and sometimes in the foreground: ‘Never enough, never enough,’ though we live in the most affluent society on earth in the most affluent time in history. Here’s how to have enough. Give it away. Five percent or ten percent or more, and take it off the top, not the bottom. It’s the only way you’ll ever be free. It is the only way you’ll ever have enough. As you consider a financial pledge to the Church for 2009, what might help in making that decision? The United Church of Christ stewardship materials this year included a chart that the members of Stewardship Ministry found helpful. We offer it as a resource as you consider your 2009 pledge. We ask that you prayerfully consider your pledge to The United Churches for 2009, to build our firm foundation, provide for our ministries, programs, pastors and staff and to continue our tremendous generosity in mission giving. With thanks, from your Stewardship Ministry. Budget Ideas for Action PURPOSES I. To work with pastors and staff to insure education in and interpretation of the meaning of Christian stewardship. II. To cooperate with the Outreach Ministry in the development and implementation of a program of year-round stewardship and mission interpretation. III. To plan, conduct, and annually evaluate the yearly stewardship enlistment campaign. IV. To oversee the development and maintenance of Gifts, Memorials, Wills, and Endowment programs for the church. V. To coordinate with the Outreach Ministry the number, nature, and promotion of special offerings each year. VI. To serve as “coordinator” for all special fund-raising efforts. |
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