For church-goers, the Sabbath brings no rest from money talk. November is when many congregations promote pledging and feature stewardship talks during the service, with members explaining why they give and why they’ll pledge for the coming year.
I find these talks helpful, especially when they include the practical side of giving. For instance, a man at my congregation explained, “I write out my offering check every month as soon as my paycheck arrives.”
The asks at this time of year are many and the opportunities are great. How do you respond to the year-end requests that come in the mail? I mean practically, how do you do it? Do you set the envelopes aside until December 31? Do you give to the first ones that arrive? Do you even read the letters? Are there organizations you give to every year?
From one woman to another, united in mission and purpose, how do you handle year-end giving?
This message is an excerpt from a Nov. 13, 2012, Women of the ELCA blog by Emma Crossen. Today is Christ the King Day. The readings are Jeremiah 23:1-6; Psalm 46; Luke 1:68-79 (semicontinuous); Colossians 1:11-20; Luke 23:33-43.
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