An Outstanding Day One for the Annual Pledge Drive

"It is rare indeed that people give.  Most people guard and keep."  If this observation from James Baldwin, one of our contry's most respected philosophers and novelists, is true, then the opening Sunday of our Annual Stewardship Pledge Drive was a rare one indeed.  Consider these day one statistics:

• Total amound pledged: $96,628 (32% of our $300,000 goal !)

• Number of pledges: 62 (6 of these were first time pledges !)

• A whopping 56% increased their pledge over last year !

Let us keep the momentum going!  If you have not yet sent in your pledge, do so today.  This is truly a wonderful beginning, and it was made even more special by our interim minister's homily.  If you missed Tracey's message, what follows are a few of her memorable and moving insights. 

We come through these doors in search, in need, in hope, in prayer. We come looking for something to make our lives better; to make the lives of our family, our friends, our neighbors better. We bring our whole selves and dare to trust that we will be welcomed in. We come for the first time or again, to give this community a try, to give it a chance. And because we do, and because this place does make a difference, we return, we stay and we discover reasons to give, to give back.

By our gifts  - whether they be our presence, our time and energy, our talent, skill, expertise, whatever they may be – by our gifts this is what we make possible here.  Children learn and grow.  Those who grieve are cared for.  Minds are opened.  Hearts are lifted.  Prejudices are broken down.  Self understandings deepen.  Self images change.  Beautiful music is offered.  Fun is had.  Needs within and beyond these walls are addressed.  What we make possible here is simply this.  We change lives and we change the world.  We do this.  Not me.  Not you.  Not them.  We.

We enter here bringing our whole selves, our deepest joys and sorrows, questions of meaning and faith, hopes and dreams, disappointments and pain.  We bring all that here.  In return, we receive support, kindness, encouragement,  challenge, and other gifts of the generous and caring spirit. No, we are not perfect.  We don’t always do our best.  We may come to a place of regret, reach a point when we wish things were different.  We may disagree with a decision, struggle with a choice or change.  With time, patience, and mutual respect we recover, reconnect . . .and are reminded. . . we need one another.

Rev Tracy Robinson-Harris, Oct 6, 2013