Stewardship Sunday is November 15th, 2020
“The Lord watch between you and me, when we are absent one from the other.” —Genesis 31:49
Dear Church,
It would be an understatement to say we live in challenging times. It has been six months since we have been able to meet together in person for worship. Some of our favorite services and events including Maundy Thursday, Prayer Vigil, Easter Services, and Pentecost in the Park had to be canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Because our church has so many people who are vulnerable to respiratory illnesses, we chose to keep our facilities closed to the public even during the brief window where churches were allowed to hold live, onsite services.
Fortunately, we had the technology available from the start of the pandemic to begin broadcasting services on Face Book Live and Zoom as well as our normal channel on YouTube. We have also been able to hold Bible Study, Elder’s Meetings, Board Meetings, and weekly check-ins on Zoom. We were even able to broadcast Ren Wakefield’s memorial service in July. With some planning and innovation, we have managed to keep our visible witness alive and well throughout this crisis. With the assistance of some of our denomination’s musicians like Andra Moran, former members who live out of state like John Miller, our regular musicians like Nancy Thompson, Ron Robinson and our pianist Joshua Hegg, we’ve been able to do some innovative things with our music and worship. We have increased our internet speed and bought some equipment to improve the quality of our broadcasts. Throughout this time, our average worship attendance has been higher than when we met live which highlights the importance of continuing livestreaming services even when we are able to meet in the building again.
In addition to online services, we have continued to support mission partners such as the Jesus Center, the Torres Shelter, Chico Housing Action Team, Safe Space and other food-related ministries. We have also been able to maintain our connections to the Regional and General expressions of our church through ministries like Week of Compassion, Annual Gathering and even Outdoor and Youth-Related ministries.
Throughout this time, we have remained stable. Because of the faithful stewardship of our members, we have been able to meet expenses. Some would say, “We are surviving.” I’d like to think that on many levels we are actually thriving. To be sure, we’ve had our share of challenges for the last few years with the Camp Fire and the flood. I’m very proud of our church for boldly meeting those challenges. Even though we are physically separated, we are still united together to accomplish God’s mission and ministry locally, nationally, and globally. As we enter into the new fiscal year in 2021, we will be facing the challenge of meeting expenses for our facilities. We hope that you will take this into account as you consider your pledge for 2021. This year’s (commitment statements?! I can’t remember what Katy started having us call “Pledge Cards” a few years ago) will be due on or before our Annual Business Meeting on November 15th. God has blessed us, and we anticipate further blessings as we face a new year.
Dear Church,
It would be an understatement to say we live in challenging times. It has been six months since we have been able to meet together in person for worship. Some of our favorite services and events including Maundy Thursday, Prayer Vigil, Easter Services, and Pentecost in the Park had to be canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Because our church has so many people who are vulnerable to respiratory illnesses, we chose to keep our facilities closed to the public even during the brief window where churches were allowed to hold live, onsite services.
Fortunately, we had the technology available from the start of the pandemic to begin broadcasting services on Face Book Live and Zoom as well as our normal channel on YouTube. We have also been able to hold Bible Study, Elder’s Meetings, Board Meetings, and weekly check-ins on Zoom. We were even able to broadcast Ren Wakefield’s memorial service in July. With some planning and innovation, we have managed to keep our visible witness alive and well throughout this crisis. With the assistance of some of our denomination’s musicians like Andra Moran, former members who live out of state like John Miller, our regular musicians like Nancy Thompson, Ron Robinson and our pianist Joshua Hegg, we’ve been able to do some innovative things with our music and worship. We have increased our internet speed and bought some equipment to improve the quality of our broadcasts. Throughout this time, our average worship attendance has been higher than when we met live which highlights the importance of continuing livestreaming services even when we are able to meet in the building again.
In addition to online services, we have continued to support mission partners such as the Jesus Center, the Torres Shelter, Chico Housing Action Team, Safe Space and other food-related ministries. We have also been able to maintain our connections to the Regional and General expressions of our church through ministries like Week of Compassion, Annual Gathering and even Outdoor and Youth-Related ministries.
Throughout this time, we have remained stable. Because of the faithful stewardship of our members, we have been able to meet expenses. Some would say, “We are surviving.” I’d like to think that on many levels we are actually thriving. To be sure, we’ve had our share of challenges for the last few years with the Camp Fire and the flood. I’m very proud of our church for boldly meeting those challenges. Even though we are physically separated, we are still united together to accomplish God’s mission and ministry locally, nationally, and globally. As we enter into the new fiscal year in 2021, we will be facing the challenge of meeting expenses for our facilities. We hope that you will take this into account as you consider your pledge for 2021. This year’s (commitment statements?! I can’t remember what Katy started having us call “Pledge Cards” a few years ago) will be due on or before our Annual Business Meeting on November 15th. God has blessed us, and we anticipate further blessings as we face a new year.
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Barbara Mann
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Jesse Kearns
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Gary Cantwell
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