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Dear Central UMC Family,
The last weekend of September everything changed. Fourteen inches of rain washed away infrastructure, businesses, homes, lives… and all our existing plans.
After the flood waters receded we had to re-evaluate our church calendar. For each event we asked: keep, reschedule, or cancel? Worship? Reschedule to 10am. Fall festival? Keep, but relocate to Haw Creek.
Then we got to our annual stewardship season. We had planned to spend four weeks in October educating and encouraging the congregation in giving as a spiritual discipline. Could we talk about money after something like Helene?
Quickly we reached the consensus: How could we not talk about giving this year? It’s more important now than ever.
Now – more than ever – we know how good it feels to help one another. A generous spirit has been obvious in the outpouring of support to our community! Most of the attention is on the physical recovery from Helene – and we’re a proud part of that work. But Central United is uniquely positioned to lead the spiritual recovery from a disaster that threatens to break our hearts and souls.
Now – more than ever – our spiritual health needs the benefit of giving. A giving plan doesn’t just do good for the receiver; it does good for the giver. As Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, there your heart is also” (Matthew 6:21). When we give intentionally, proportionally, and regularly we experience the spiritual gifts of gratitude, trust, and freedom from materialism.
You will likely find a pledge card in the mail designed to help you experience the benefits of giving in 2025. Below is a digital version of the pledge card and a way to enter to your 2025 pledge. We invite you to prayerfully complete your pledge and bring it with you to worship on Sunday, November 24th. If you’ve never made a pledge before, then consider this especially for you. Now more than ever your gift will make a tremendous impact – for our community and for you!
Much love,
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