Stewardship
October 7, 2012
Dear Friends and Fellow Members of Rockville United Church,
The past year has been amazing, and each and every one of us has played a part in making RUC stand out while engaged in the work of moving God's church forward. As we look to the future, there are many things that we feel charged to accomplish. There are things that unfortunately cannot wait. There is our ministry to our sick and shut-ins; the care and upkeep of this building that shelters us and affords us a sense of peace when we enter. There are the grounds that surround this edifice that beckon to be nurtured, enhanced, and utilized in more meaningful ways, and there are the demands of social justice to which we have committed. These are just some of the things that are important to all of us at RUC that demand our time, talents, and gifts. These are gifts from God, gifts on loan to us, and gifts God has made us Stewards of.
Many aspects of RUC are undergoing renewal and our church has taken on new life. I'm sure you can feel the vitality and the transformations taking place around us. It is an exciting time to be a member of RUC. Scott Winnette our pastor of nearly a year is fully into the process of becoming one with us. We have been embraced by him, and he is supporting us in our desire to be a church truly making a difference in the world while fulfilling the will of God. The reality is that RUC, the "giving church" as I have heard it called, must continue to give and dig a little deeper in order to achieve our goals and commitments of Stewardship.
I know the 2013 challenge budget sounds like a lot to bite off, and it is. But if you believe as I do that with God, anything is possible then we can only step out on faith and believe. The 2013 budget contains many items aimed at supporting the growth and vitality of RUC. In that I include spiritual growth. I believe we all want that growth to continue. This is the beginning of staying current and being the change we want to see and the catalyst that God's Church needs. It means keeping this edifice in tip top shape, using our grounds in meaningful and creative ways, supporting all the ministries of this church of which Stewardship is only one, and being strategic, consistent, and courageous when it comes to matters of justice and equality.
We hope this narrative budget that follows serves to clarify what our needs are and will be as RUC grows into 2013 and beyond. We hope it helps to emphasize why we must continue giving and pledging while believing that anything is possible with the love of God.
May you and RUC be blessed.
Respectfully, James E. Skinner, Chair Stewardship Committee
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO PLEDGE ONLINE - send your pledge information to stew@rockvilleunitedchurch.org.
