Your inboxes and mailboxes are no doubt full of requests and opportunities to share your financial gifts with worthy endeavors today on “Giving Tuesday.”  It’s become quite the tradition in recent years.

Assuming you want to be on those email lists, I encourage you to take a moment to appreciate the  GIFT of all the amazing endeavors in this world. Pause to consider why you’re connected to each one, what you know about and respect about each one, how your heart is tugged for support (if it is) in time, talent and treasure.  And prayer, prayer, prayer.   Claim some time to say “Thank you” in person and to God, whether or not there’s a monetary gift attached to it.

We’re in the first week of Advent, when we uplift HOPE as the work of God the Creator in Jesus Christ.  There are so many reason to be hope-filled as we recognize God’s presence in diverse  communities’ expressing care, creativity, service and advocacy.  Wherever truth and compassion and healing are served, the Lord is near!

Closer to home, YOU are a part of the hope-tending of God for and through Eden’s ministries.  Of course, Eden has plenty of needs and commitments we could talk about, too. 

But I take this annual opportunity on Giving Tuesday to resist asking for money in the flood of Giving Tuesday.  

Instead, just receive from this e-blast.

Receive a word of gratitude for all that your presence means to us. Thank you for giving all the ways you already do.  Thank you for BEING HERE with your thoughts, prayers, attendance. Thank you for sharing your time, talent and treasure.

And as you ponder your co-creation with all the important work God is doing in the wider world, consider sharing more in the coming weeks and months about the causes that move you, the ways you serve in the community beyond our sanctuary.  Let’s celebrate the ways God is moving within and beyond Eden!

YOU ARE A GIFT!

With Christ’s Hope,

Pastor Jacki