Letter to the Congregation:      Theme  |   Celebration Sunday   |  Brunch Information

October 2, 2009

Dear Franciscan Friends,

I've always missed an important detail in the story when God called Abram away from his family and culture to begin a new people.  God assured him, "Do not be afraid, Abram, for I will protect you, and your reward shall be very great."  But to quicken Abram's trust, "the LORD brought Abram outside beneath the night sky and told him, ‘Look up into the heavens and count the stars if you can. Your descendants will be like that-too many to count!'  And Abram believed the LORD, and the LORD declared him righteous because of his faith." (Genesis 15:1, 5-6 NLT)

How often I have overlooked that one important action-God took Abram outside.  As long as Abram was inside his tent, his vision was limited.  He could not see beyond his eight-foot ceiling.  Outside, star-gazing with God, Abram found his perspective.  His spirit was recalibrated.  Outside, looking at God, Abram beheld a magnificent power and order beyond himself.  Looking at God, he found his faith.

During the month of October, Saint Francis United Methodist Church will conduct our Generosity emphasis.  As a result of last year's economic crash, our giving attitudes are timid and tenuous.  Our vision is contained within the tents pitched by forecasters, doomsayers and pundits.  If we are to be faithful, we must step out and gaze at God-the true source of our abundance.  What has God done for us?  What can God do?  What has God promised?  And will we believe the Lord?

For our Generosity Emphasis in 2009, we celebrate that throughout our earthly circumstances "God Is Faithful." During the Sundays of October, we will first remember that God was faithful in our past (October 4).  Then we will claim God's faithfulness today (October 11).  Based on our real experience, we will anticipate God's faithfulness in the future (October 18). 

On Sunday, October 25, The Reverend Tim Russell, Administrative Assistant to the Bishop and Director of Ministerial Relations for the North Carolina Annual Conference, will be our guest speaker.  As a part of worship this special day, we will bring to the altar expressions of our anticipated giving for 2010, which will be the basis for our ministry vision and budget next year.  We have also enclosed a card for you to pray over and prepare to present on October 25.

On this day of celebration, our fellowship will share a full Sunday brunch on the grounds during the Sunday School hour.  It is our intention and hope that our 8:30 AM attendees will come together with our 11:00 AM congregation.  The meal is free, with some items furnished by church groups, but please bring a brunch item to share.  We will need reservations to prepare adequate servings and seating.  Enclosed please find a reservation card that you may return to the church office by any method prior to October 18.

I read that President Teddy Roosevelt and his naturalist friend William Beebe would often step out at night for their own stargazing.  They would identify a faint spot of light in the lower left corner of Pegasus and recite together:

            This is the Spiral Galaxy in Andromeda.
            It is as large as our Milky Way.
            It is one of 100 million galaxies.
            It is 750,000 light years away.
            It consists of 100 billion suns, each larger than our sun.

Following that sobering reminder, President Roosevelt would declare, "Now I think we feel small enough!  Let's go to bed."  (William Beebe, The Book of Naturalists: An Anthology of Best Natural History [Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1988], 234)

When we step out of our tents and look to God, we discover a magnificent power and order above and beyond ourselves-and our faith takes flight.

God bless you with buoyant hope!

The Rev. Tom Hollis                                      Kathy Shear

Lead Pastor                                                    Chair of Stewardship