WedJun242009
Please Help Us…
She sat in her pew and reviewed the bulletin as the organ played. Here was a notice about sponsoring GROUP kids with a work camp scholarship. On the next page the Colorado Kids were asking for help through their Hire a Colorado Kid program. Church School needed baked goods for their project.
During the announcements that handsome Mark Simone said we miraculously raised enough money for one new church van and now he hoped we could all pitch in for the needed second replacement. She remembered that last week that dashing Hamilton mentioned it was the Sunday on which we collected a special offering for the UCC.
On the way home, her husband mentioned that he knew the church was raising money for the year long Church School mission and their daughter had brought home a paper about supplies that were needed for the
Interfaith Hospitality Network.
That afternoon she sat at her desk and reviewed the family checkbook with a longing look. Hers was a family devoted to the church and excited about missions. Her favorite was to donate to Sparrow Village through Federated’s Mission and Outreach Board. She knew her husband had given a fund a few years ago to take soccer supplies to South Africa. Exasperated, she whispered a prayer thanking God for the bountiful blessings her family enjoyed and promised to do what she could. But as she slipped from her desk into the early summer sunshine to be with her kids in the back yard, she felt a little disappointed in herself for the projects she would not be able to support at her church. And the family had upped their pledge this year.
Does this sound like you and your family? Do you sometimes come to church and worry someone will approach you for a donation to yet another project? Does it sometimes seem that Fed is “all about the money?”
Giving with your Heart
As one of the pastors, I sometimes get concerned that our Church Family thinks we are bleeding them dry of their finances. We are an active, growing and vibrant church, with a heart for helping others. And we have always put our money where are mouths are. And this is good.
What is not good, however, is if you ever feel inundated by requests.
Speaking on behalf of all the staff, we want you to know that giving requests are opportunities for you to be part of making change, easing suffering and doing good. Yet, no one expects anyone to give to everything. We find that multiple opportunities make our missions exciting. And we trust that God will place on your heart which projects to support. We can’t give to everything – none of us can. But we can give to the ones to which our passions relate, and we can pray for the others, trusting God to place those burdens for support on others.
You are a generous, remarkable congregation. I have marveled and bragged about your mission vision. Just remember as you choose which projects to support, there is no shame in selecting among lots of great opportunities. Don’t allow yourself to feel you must give to everything or you are a “bad Christian!” The needs seem to be met as we all do our part. And that is what God is looking for – believers who listen to the Spirit and
respond accordingly.
This has been on my heart for some time so I just wanted to share my heart with you.
Have a comment? Email me at
Mark Simone