Minister’s Column
November 2016
Behind the scenes right now, in preparation for our annual stewardship drive in February, a group of dedicated members of our church have been discussing the best ways to help our congregation connect the dots of our gratitude for our religious community and the financial resources we share with it. In these planning conversations, we recognize that generosity is a spiritual discipline and an essential component of growing lives of meaning and purpose. We know that the ways we share our resources of time, talent and treasure are a sure indication of our values. And we want to be sure that everyone who thinks of First Unitarian as their church home is invited to generously invest in the love that we share.
Money is not always a fun topic. In fact, it can be scary and off-putting. “All churches do is ask for money” is a refrain we all know well. But a religious community like ours is never just asking for money. We are asking each other for commitment. We are asking for connection. We are asking for an investment in our shared values. We are asking each other to remember our stories.
As we enter a month in which we will consider “What does it mean to be a community of story?” I encourage you to think about the stories that brought you to our church. Why does it matter to you that you are here? If you are new to us, what do you hope to gain through your participation? What do you hope to give?
I was sharing a lunch with a long-time member recently. He spoke to me of how he doesn’t just want the church to do well now. He wants it to do well after he’s gone. I asked him why. I said, “Will you tell me the story of why the church matters so much to you?” His voice became more tender as he recalled the opportunities the church has offered him to experience things he has found nowhere else in his life. He especially pointed to the small group gatherings such as Soul Matters and Wellspring in which he has been able to share his religious journey and learn with others doing the same. I could tell the memories of what the church has enabled in his life were powerful for him. And they were powerful for me, too, because, in many ways, I recognized them as my own. It’s true: The more we share our stories about why the church matters, the more we see how much value is already here and how wise our investments in it are.
The next time you are at church, I encourage you to ask someone why First Unitarian matters to them. Even if their story doesn’t match yours, I’m thinking you’ll be grateful for it, and grateful for our church. First Unitarian is a wonder-full place to be, isn’t it?
Would you like to have your child dedicated?
As part of the November 20th services, we will have an opportunity to share in a ritual of dedication for some of the children in our church community. During this simple ceremony we will acknowledge the children’s given names, bless (or honor) them with the four elements, and declare our responsibility to them as parents and as a community. Contact me as soon as possible if you wish to have your child dedicated or if you’d like to know more about the ceremony. The next opportunity this church year will be the Christmas Eve services (5pm and 7pm).
See you in church!
Mark
E-mail the Rev. Mark Stringer at minister@ucdsm.org
or visit him at his Facebook page: www.facebook.com/RevMark.Stringer