It’s the season of gift giving where we try to figure out what glove size Aunt Betsy wears or if cousin Ella already has the soccer thingy she wanted. Is there a way to surprise your spouse with the gift he really wants but has not yet mentioned? All this online ordering, free shipping, scurrying from store to store and yet we wonder if the ordinary gift wrapped in shiny gold foil can possibly convey the depth of love we have for that person.
It’s also the season of gift asking where every organization we are remotely affiliated with asks for a year-end gift. The church falls into line here. We are pretty good at showing that x number of dollars can provide grief care for a family after the loss of a loved one, or Sunday school supplies for children and youth, or air conditioning for the Boy Scouts and AA groups to gather to heal and grow.
But I find that both the gift-giving and the gift-asking rituals are evoked from someplace far beyond the shopping list or the charity list. When our toddler makes an ornament for her mother, she longs to convey what cannot ever be captured in tangible form. She longs to make real some mystical pleasure of connection.
Over the years I have noticed that what people appreciate most about their church is not the great music or the stellar children’s ministry. What captures us is the friendship born out of casual connection that sustains us over the long years. Even when folks drift away from worship or active participation, those relationships with former faith mentors, with youth group sponsors, with choir buddies, balcony seatmates, and with folks we shared our lives with at community camp or the international trip are indestructible.
Dave and I exchange stocking stuffers. I would tell you what I’m getting him but he might read this. And we write an extra check to the church in December. It’s our way of trying to express that the friends we have met here are indescribable gifts in our lives. They are priceless. And so we make this extra offering, to express our gratitude to all of you for showing us God’s love.
Grace and Peace,
Carla
To send a message to Carla, click HERE.
YEAR END GIVING
If you would like to make a year-end gift to support the church’s general budget, you may do so by:
• Clicking here and choosing year end from the drop down menu
• Mailing your check postmarked by December 31.
• Delivering a check to the church by December 31. (The church offices will be closed Fri., Dec. 31, but a secure dropbox will be available outside of the east entrance for you to place any last-minute donations for 2021)
