2025 Stewardship Campaign
Dear Church Family, Recently, Rev. Betty Batey, one of our beloved retired clergy, reflected on 2 Corinthians 9:8-11:
“God throws caution to the winds, giving to the needy in reckless abandon.”
God gives you something you can then give away, which grows into fully-formed lives.
And I thought, “That’s First UMC!” Over the years, I have seen this church give of our gifts and of ourselves, again and again, so that others may know the love of God. Our hearts for mission and impact continue to make a difference to people and families.
As we enter this season of Stewardship, we are going to focus on the Blessings and the Gifts of our church. As you look over our proposed 2025 Budget, you’ll see the ways we will use our gifts and resources to do the work God has called us all do. Your staff work hard and tirelessly to serve alongside you and equip you; the campus continues to blossom with spaces which enrich not only church members, but so many in our community; our Trustees and Facilities Team work responsibly to maintain the buildings and grounds. All this is possible because you are part of a wide and generous church who entrusts your gifts and offerings.
We also remain committed to partnering with groups in our community, Conference, and around the world to respond to the needs of others-whether it’s VISTE, Talbot House, Hurricane Response, or sister churches like Shepherds Community UMC in our city, and in Costa Rica. We don’t want to focus only on ourselves, we want to be a blessing to others, as much as we can. This is only possible because of you.
Enclosed is a card with a return envelope to provide your 2025 pledge or estimate of giving. There is also a QR code at the bottom, if you would like to return your pledge digitally. We realize times can feel more uncertain than ever, and it can be difficult to project out an entire year with all that might happen. The needs sometime feel so large that we wonder if we can make a difference, at all. Remember that you are part of a community with deep hearts and a love of Christ and God’s people. When we come together, we make a difference. Your gift matters because you matter.
Every time I look out at our congregation on a Sunday morning, or when I pull into the parking lot at the beginning of the day, my first thought is always: “Wow, what a gift.” That’s who you are. Thank you for continuing to be a part of the church, and what God is doing.
Blessings,
Rev. Andy Whitaker Smith Associate Pastor
