Dear FUMC Family,

We are incredibly grateful for the outpouring of generosity we’ve witnessed during this stewardship campaign. To date, members of our congregation have pledged $727,879 towards our ambitious goal of $850,000.

This matches our pledge levels last year, which is great news! However, we still have a ways to go in order to balance our budgets and press forwards with the ministries that God calls us here for.  

As we think about closing the gap, I will share a short personal witness. This witness will not be inspiring, but it will be a witness of gratitude this Christmas season.  

• Gratitude towards our pastors who patiently explain Gods word and to folks like me who just turn into a mental pretzel when the word “theology” comes up.  
• For those in the choir and music program who have been granted the gift of Gods muse when I can barely hold a tune.  
• For those in the hopes home ministry who extend radical, compassion when many days I just feel selfish, exhausted, and spent.  
• For those who visit the sick in the hospital, pray for those in pain, and simply listen with compassion while I too often think only of myself.
• For the many more who give their time and talents to ensure our building is safe, warm and beautifully adorned and make sure our programs run smoothy.

So many in our congregation have gifts that leave me inspired and in awe.  If my only gift is to simply ask for your support of this congregation, then I will proudly count myself among the blessed.  

So I ask, whatever your gift, please think about our faith community with a sense of wonder at the gifts God has granted us.  Please hear the call to support these ministries where wounds are healed, lives are changed, and souls find their lord.  

If you haven’t yet pledged, we invite you to prayerfully consider how you can contribute to this vital work.  Every pledge, no matter the size, makes a significant difference. We are so close to reaching our goal, and we believe that with your continued support, we can achieve this milestone together. 

You can pledge by online at FUMC.org, or by filling out a pledge card and returning it to the church front office. 

Thank you, Merry Christmas, and God bless,

Scott Divine