Sharing the Love

Ourselves

Our monies  

We are never “done” with stewardship. God appoints us as caretakers of all that is God's, and that appointment is ours to hold until we pass it on to those who follow after us. So there’s no “done” with stewardship. 

You can expect to be reminded throughout the year of our stewardship identity. Wouldn’t it be great if, some day, we were so good at it, that it came naturally, without having to think about it and without having to have a campaign? Let’s make that a goal! Like a child saying “thank you” without being told, let’s become a church that says “thank you” to God through our faithful stewardship, without being reminded!

When you visit our worship service we invite you to let the offering plate pass you by. We don't ask you to give to our mission and ministries when you don't yet know us, or what those m&ms are. Your first-time presence is gift and offering enough.  

For the rest of us: God loves a cheerful giver. God loves the cranky ones, too.

Here are some other things we know about giving: (from Andy Gustafson, www.macucc.org)

• People who believe their faith has something to say about money and generosity, give significantly more than people who do not connect faith and finances.
• People happily give to change lives. They give reluctantly to budgets.
• The number one reason people give is because they were asked. People give more when an amount is suggested. They are more likely to give if they are asked personally by a person they respect.
• It makes people happy to be thanked. People who are personally thanked for their gifts of time, talent and treasure are more likely to renew and increase their giving the next time they are asked.
• People give to institutions they trust. It makes a giver happy to know that their gifts are used well, and that there is financial transparency and accountability. 

What is stewardship?

A steward is a “person who has charge over another’s property.” The Psalmist wrote that “the earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it” (Ps 24:1). If everything we have comes ultimately from God, “stewardship” seeks to address how we are managing our gifts of time, talents, and resources that are gifts from God.

What does it mean to be a faithful steward of our resources?

Since our resources come from God, then stewardship faithfulness is about using those resources in ways that please God. We ask ourselves: How does God want me/us to demonstrate regular generosity? How does my personal budget and the church budget reflect my/our faith commitment and discipleship? In what ways does my stewardship reflect or fail to reflect the will of God?

Why is faithful stewardship so important?

Because our ministries matter! Because every single human life is to be celebrated, and our ministries touch human lives. Because what we do as a congregation is done in the name of Christ, and to the glory of God: it is of eternal value!

Why do we have a budget?

A budget is a moral document that says something about who we are and what we are committed to. Our church budget is literally an action plan for mission and ministry for the future. Though no budget can anticipate all the mission-needs and challenges of the future, it is a tool for setting goals, fueling new ministry, caretaking our property, and preparing for ongoing outreach and operations. God uses us to do God’s work!

What types of ministry programs are we supporting financially?

All mission and ministry flows from our worship of God, in humility, and with hope born of the Spirit. Our financial gifts help to fund worship needs, small group ministries, ministry with children and youth, outreach into the community, and significant acts of care for the global family.

What are the paid positions at our church?

We have one part-time ordained pastor-teacher, and four other part-time staff: a musician, a church educator, a sexton (custodian), and an office manager.

What is OCWM?

OCWM stands for “Our Church’s Wider Mission & is the support local congregations give to our UCC MA conference and the national church to fund international, national, and regional missions. You may ask, why don’t we just do it ourselves? It may be tempting to think that we can accomplish the same goals independently, but we would never be able to spread the gospel or the love of Christ as far and to as many people as we do when we give within our denominational identity. By uniting our efforts with other United Church of Christ congregations around the world, each dollar spent goes further, reaches more people, and does more good. Check out www.ucc.org

How much should I give to the church?

The scriptures ask us to give 10%, which is the meaning of the word “tithe.” Every Sunday we ask God to bless our tithes and offerings. How much you give to this congregation is a personal decision. We encourage you to pray, pray, pray, while and after you examine your own household budget as a moral document. It expresses exactly what it is you value. Aiming for both proportional giving and for an increase in your generosity from year to year will help you grow as a disciple of Jesus.