Dear Grace United Methodist Church Family,
Pastor Beth and I had the wonderful gift of gathering with other clergy in our District this past week! It was a good opportunity for me to meet colleagues in this area and our DS, Sharon Austin, organized a wonderful training for us on Church Vitality. We worshipped together, learned together, and dreamed together! One of the great things about being a United Methodist is we are a part of a connectional system. No one congregation stands alone and our impact as a denomination is world-wide!
Tim Ward was the presenter for our Clergy meeting. He shared a story about being a church planter. He was at a community festival with his team handing out raffle tickets for a free i-pad. In order to get a chance to get the i-pad, all people had to do was provide their contact and agree to receive information aboutthis new church that was starting. Bishop Berlin shared with Tim that he was demonstrating his desperation for people to get connected in community and know Jesus through this outreach at the festival. Tim asked us, “What are you doing that demonstrates desperation for others to know Jesus?”
I couldn’t answer him right away, but as I thought more about it, I am desperate for our community here at Grace to grow deep in our own faith in ways that brings life to us and activates us for the deeper discipleship we are being called to in this season. I am also desperate for young people to be connected and know the love of God in their lives. This is why I will be serving as a chaperone for our youth fall retreat to Warren Willis Camp November 8-10. I am excited about getting to know them better, having this experience with them, and witnessing them findingtheir way in their journey of faith!
As we continue in our stewardship campaign, Taking our Next Step in our Journey of Faith, I want to encourage you to ask this same question of yourself, “In what way are you desperate for others to be included?” Our commitments are financial in that they help us to set the budget and steward the resources of the church in the best ways we can. Yet, our commitments are not just about finances, we also pray over the other commitments we make in our life together. We commit to pray for one another, be present with one another, share our gifts (both financial and spiritual gifts), serve together, and share our witness.
I look forward to witnessing how the Holy Spirit of God meets us in our prayers over our finances! Our stewardship campaign is focused on determining the amounts of giving toward our general budget, so that we can make the best decisions for the 2025 fiscal year. The Capital giving is a wonderful way to bless the church for expenses like this! Grace UMC, let us get ready for 2025, by showing off our generous hearts and spirits! God is going to do great things!!!
As always, I am so grateful to be…
With you on the journey,
Pastor Michelle