Recently
Were you here two weeks ago for Emory-Glenn Sunday? I don’t think I have ever heard more beautiful music on a Sunday morning in church … anywhere, anytime. We had 130 or so incredibly gifted singers at the front of our church as we celebrated our historic connections with Emory University. The Emory Concert Choir, the Candler Singers, and our own amazing chancel choir each brought their unique gifts and voices to our worship, then they all joined in an amazing and moving rendition of “How Great Thou Art” (arrangement by Eric Nelson). We were blessed.
In one sense it was an extraordinary Sunday, in another sense simply the ordinary magnified. Not a Sunday passes that someone doesn’t mention to me the beautiful music that fills our sanctuary. And it keeps getting better.
Were you here November 3 for All Saints’ Sunday? As I said that day, it is for me one of the most holy and moving moments in our church year. We heard a beautiful sermon by Susan Pinson; we lit 14 candles for members of our congregation who passed this year into the eternal embrace of God; we celebrated Holy Communion; and each of us had a chance to light a candle for the saints who have blessed our lives. And in and through it all, we remembered that we are a part of a great Communion of Saints, servants of God all, joined by the Holy Spirit in the Body of Christ.
I could easily recall here other glorious times of worship from this year, but I think you get the point. Here is the simple truth: On Sundays in this holy space we step into God’s time and find Christ in our midst. It doesn’t get any better than that.
And none of this happens without the faithful financial support of our congregation.
Five months ago, under the leadership of the Rev. Blair Setnor, a new ministry for 20-somethings was launched. Thanks to this new group, recent college graduates, along with graduate students from Emory and Tech, have found here at Glenn a community of love and spiritual nurture (You’ll hear from a couple of these folks this Sunday in worship). At a critical moment in their lives, our church is there for them, offering a place, offering Christ, making love real in their days, and empowering them for service in Christ’s name. The faithful financial support of our congregation is making possible this new initiative.
Other holy and loving work goes on for all ages within our congregation and, through vital outreach, beyond our walls. Almost weekly, I receive a note from some service organization expressing gratitude for the financial support of this church. We are involved in a wide array of compassion and justice ministries through our United Methodist connection and other local and national organizations. Our Missions and Church and Society outreach ministries are robust and grace-filled. And none of this happens without the faithful financial support of our congregation. You are making real the love of Jesus Christ in the world.
Now
The end of the year is before us, and we are behind financially. Through September, our giving is down $70,000 from this time last year. Is uncertainty about the future of United Methodism or concern about recent actions of the General Conference a part of that? I can’t say for sure. But I do know that our church is working with many other congregations and groups to bring positive change to our denomination, and I know vital, beautiful, and powerful work continues here in our annual conference and around the world through United Methodism. It all happens through the faithful financial support of our congregation, joined with the giving of other faithful congregations across our conference and world. I humbly ask, in the midst of change and some confusion, that you be present, keep focused on the good to be done, and keep doing it.
Maybe we will have to reduce our budget and therefore the ministries we offer in the year ahead. We will certainly do what we have to do to do the most good we can. But our giving over the next two months, along with our pledges for 2020, will tell the tale. The financial resources that can unleash God’s mercy and truth in this world are held in the hands of Glenn members and friends. When we open our hands and share those gifts, amazing things happen. Love is made real around the corner and around the world.
Soon
November 17 is Commitment Sunday. That’s two Sundays away. Next week you’ll receive a pledge card. Please prayerfully consider what you can give in 2020 and fill out the card. Then bring it to church on the 17th and we’ll celebrate together what happens when we give in the love of Christ, worship in the love of Christ, and serve in the love of Christ. Together.
After Commitment Sunday, we will complete a budget, or maybe we should call it a roadmap for ministry. Then, through the varied ministries you support, lives will be touched with grace and hope; new people will find home here at Glenn Memorial; and we will all grow in Christ together. That’s love—eternal, divine, glorious, grace-filled, transformative love—made real in the world.
In Christ,
Mark Westmoreland