Stewardship Letter – February 4, 2019

We at the North Chatham United Methodist Church have been guided for many years by our common agreement:

“The mission of this church is to nurture and uplift the lives of all we touch in both the immediate and global community.”

And also by John Wesley’s guidance

“Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as you ever can.”

The North Chatham United Methodist Church is the spiritual home and center of Christian education, values and aspirations in our community. We count our strengths as the continuing active participation of our youth and their development as disciples of Christ. Another strength we value is the connection we feel to one another as we participate in joyful worship each Sunday.

Every year we take stock of our progress toward these goals by looking at what we have accomplished and what is still to be done.  In this stewardship letter each year we tend to address them in very practical terms. Because at this time we need to take stock of what we can contribute to the health of our church both in our personal efforts and in monetary support.

Our bell is safe and was rung for the first time in several years and is ringing out on Sundays. The Lord’s Acre Auction was again a success. The annual steak dinner was again attended by many, both within and outside the local community. These accomplishments were made with the community’s participation (not ours alone).  As is the Clothing Barn where we and the community participate and benefit from the clothing and the profits that support a number of local mission projects.

Our challenges this year are numerous. Not only are normal expenses increasing as we know from our own homes (utilities, heating oil, rent, etc.) but also needed updates to our aging building have been identified, and new safe access and egress are needed. Because we know the life of The Lord’s Acre Auction is limited we have been “visioning the future” for replacing funding as the auction as we know it phases out. One idea favored by many was to increase pledging.

In order to proceed with our work in this world we need each of us to continue giving of our time and efforts and to take some small step up in monetary contribution as well.

Prayerfully review the small steps we have attached. Dollars add up.

“With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Sprit in the bond of peace” Ephesians 4:2-3

Roy Denniston, Carole Hatfield, Phyllis Patricelli