A Spiritual Practice for Generosity
by Andy DeBraber, Generosity Officer, National Ministries of the UCC

Each morning, cup of coffee in one hand and a pen in the other, I spend a few minutes writing responses to the following prompts:
 
  • 3 things I accomplished yesterday
  • 2 things I need to do today
  • 1 thing I’m grateful for
  • A self-affirmation
  • A fear
  • One way I will nurture my heart/soul today
  • One act of generosity today
 
In Lent, many of us give something up as a way of making space for the Sacred. As we move from Lent into the season of Easter (from the Easter Celebration to Pentecost), I invite you to adopt this morning practice as a way of growing in generosity.
 
As Easter is a celebration of new and renewed life, so also generosity is a generative practice, cultivating new life in us and those around us. In her wonderful book “This Here Flesh,” Cole Arthur Riley writes:
 
Stillness makes for a capable mirror. Look down in a rough and fast current, and you won’t see a thing. Still water allows you to lean in without danger and really see yourself. And in doing so, you may remember a liberty over yourself that is easily forgotten when things are jostling about you.
 
Taking a few moments looking into the still water each day helps us practice resurrection. Morning works best for me, but you may find another time of day works best for you. Here are a few notes about each section:
 
3 things I accomplished yesterday: Too often in the “rough and fast current” of life, we don’t take time to reflect on our accomplishments. From spending time with loved ones to composing a challenging email, from fixing that persistent drip in the sink to going for a walk outside, take a moment to celebrate what you did the previous day.
 
2 things I need to do today: As you look ahead to the day, what items stand out as most important? Maybe the bills need to get paid or you need to reach out to a friend. Maybe there’s a work project to start, complete, or make progress on. Maybe you need to plan for an upcoming event.
 
1 thing I’m grateful for: Neurological scientists tell us that daily consideration of our gratitudes moves us toward a happier, healthier, and more joyful place. From the beauty of the sunrise to the love of friends and family, we have so much to be thankful for. Write one (or 2!) down.
 
A self-affirmation: Our cultures, upbringings, and personal demons regularly tear us down and remind us of all we aren’t. Take a moment to affirm who you are. It might be, “I am worthy” or “I am loved.” Or perhaps “I do my best in the moment” or “I’m a good friend.” We all have aspects of ourselves to affirm and celebrate.
 
A fear: Many of us avoid our fears. Writing them down helps me get to know them better and address them consciously. The fear may be general, or it may be related to the self-affirmation; it may be large and existential or tangible and practical: “Loneliness and rejection,” “I’m a failure,” “Facing my supervisor today,” “Not having enough funds to make it through the month.”
 
One way I will nurture my heart/soul today: How can you be good to yourself? How can you attend to the needs of your heart and soul? Common responses for me here include meditation, going outside, playing a game with my family, reading, and talking with a friend.
 
One generous act today: As you move into the day, consider one small generous act you can do. You may or may not get the chance to do it, but it puts us in the mindset of looking for opportunities to be generous. Can you send a supportive text to someone? Make a financial donation to a person in need or an organization doing good work? Offer a few minutes of help to a coworker or neighbor? A small act of kindness for your partner, parent, or child?
 
This short and simple morning practice sets me on a course for the day that brings healing and opens me to seeing and sharing the peace and love of God with those around. Try it for two or three weeks and see what kind of difference it makes in your life.
 
As Douglas Abrams writes about the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu in “The Book of Joy”:
 
We cannot bring peace if we do not have inner peace. Similarly, we cannot hope to make the world a better, happier place if we do not also aspire for this in our own lives. The more we heal our own pain, the more we can turn to the pain of others…The goal is not just to create joy for ourselves but, as the Archbishop poetically phrased it, ‘to be a reservoir of joy, an oasis of peace, a pool of serenity that can ripple out to all those around you.’
Upcoming Webinars
Rethinking What God Calls Volunteers to Do
Rev. Bridget Flad Daniels of Union UCC in Green Bay, and Rev. Elana Larson of the National Ministries, will reflect on ways to engage volunteers and hear God's call to something new when you can't find volunteers. They will help us think about ways to make more dynamic volunteer experiences.  
April 26
6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Central time
 
Building an Endowment 
An endowment can support a congregation and its wider mission. But where do you start? This webinar will provide ideas and policies for creating and growing an endowment for your congregation. Rev. Andrew Warner will draw on his experience with the Wisconsin Foundation UCC when discussing how to raise, manage, and use endowment funds. 
May 24
6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Central time
OCWM Bulletin Insert for Congregations
The Conference has created a bulletin insert about Our Church's Wider Mission detailing how the gifts of a congregation to OCWM Basic Support make a real difference in the life of congregations across our state. Please share the bulletin insert in an upcoming worship service or e-newsletter from the congregation to members.
The Strengthen the Church (STC) Offering reflects the shared commitment of people across the United Church of Christ to cooperatively build up the UCC. Conferences and the national setting equally share the gifts given by members and friends through their local congregations. The funds raised support leadership development, new churches, youth ministry, and innovation in existing congregations. By your generosity to this offering, you build up the Body of Christ.
 
Resources to promote the Strengthen the Church Offering can be found at uccresources.com.
Generosity Forward Print Newsletter - another resource for your generosity practices

Did you receive the Generosity Forward Print Newsletter in your mailbox recently? This 8-page quarterly publication provides unique content that highlights the impact of our giving, lifts up ways people can make gifts, and reflects on the practice of giving in our faith. Sharing our stories of giving helps us feel hope as we see the difference we make together. Stories help us feel connected, and give us a deeper understanding of how and why to give. You're sure to find these insights helpful in your own generosity practices. Download the Generosity Forward Print Newsletter HERE.

Want to make sure you get this newsletter mailed to you each quarter? Send your name and mailing address to resourcecenter@wcucc.org and we'll include you in future mailings.
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The General Fund of the Wisconsin Conference helps us connect, support, and resource pastors, leaders, and congregations. Your gift allows the Conference to provide relevant and timely help during the current pandemic and beyond. Donate to the General Fund.

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