Dear friends,
“What we do matters.” This is the theme our Stewardship Team selected for this fall. Mark Whiteman, Clair Ball, Fran Bogle and I sat in the church office reflecting on what this church means to us. This statement emerged – a statement with so many layers of meaning.
The world around us feels overwhelming. The problems seem huge, and we feel small. When we gather on Sunday mornings, we hear the promise of our faith: we are beloved by God. No matter how insignificant we feel, we matter. When we gather on Sunday mornings, we recall the upside-down nature of Jesus’ message: sometimes the smallest seed produces the most glorious tree. When we gather – on Sunday mornings and throughout the week – we discover how our smallest efforts are multiplied when we work together. A small seed becomes a glorious tree; a community of small seeds becomes a glorious forest.
I am always amazed by the impact this relatively small congregation has on the wider community. We are the catalyst for an annual Veterans Appreciation Dinner that serves over a hundred people. We are enabling new immigrants to attend ESL classes, cook meals, and get to school. Our relationship with Sunrise School for Learners with Autism in Kenya has been transformative for them and for us. We host Open Spirit – bringing people together across difference, teaching Active Bystander Training, enabling healing of body, mind, spirit and earth. We provide space for Framingham Community Farm, which produces thousands of pounds of fresh produce for A Place to Turn Food Pantry.
I am equally amazed by the impact we have on one another. We make soup for each other. We listen. We sing together. We pray for each other. We visit. We laugh. We form friendships across generations. We aspire to create a safer space for each of us to live into our potential.
As we talked about our theme, “What we do matters,” the Stewardship Team realized there are two important corollary statements. The first one invites us to slow down and be present: “Who we are matters.” It is not about how much we do; it is about the quality of our being together. To be an Open and Affirming Congregation is to bear witness to the possibility of communities where people listen to one another and value each other. The world needs us to be just who we are – a place of hope, a people of joy, a community of love. Who we are matters.
The second corollary statement is this one: “What we give matters.” Who we are and what we do is dependent on the generosity of every single member and friend of this church. Everyone has something to give. Everyone’s generosity matters.
During our Stewardship season (November 10-24), the Stewardship Team will invite your reflections on these three related statements: What we do matters. Who we are matters. What we give matters. I look forward to sharing our reflections together.
Peace, Debbie