I want to thank the people of Sedona United Methodist Church for your continued faithful giving. Because of your generous pledges to financially support the ministries of Sedona United Methodist Church, the Administrative Council was able to come close to passing a balanced budget for 2011. If you would like to review this budget, copies will be available in the Narthex and Church Office. Your commitment to Christian giving is bearing fruit in God's Kingdom!

With our budgeting process complete, I want to say a word about the second mile giving opportunities that you'll be invited to support in 2011.  The term second mile giving is drawn from the words of Jesus in Matthew 5:41:  "If anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile".  In those days, occupying Roman soldiers could pull aside Jewish citizens and force them to carry their equipment for one mile. Jesus teaches his followers how to change hearts and minds by going the extra mile, by doing more than you're required to do to demonstrate the love of Christ. In the church, second mile giving opportunities go beyond our normal tithes and offerings. We are invited to go the extra mile in our giving so that the love of Christ will be known in the world.

This year SUMC will join United Methodist congregations throughout the world in collecting six special offerings:

• Human Relations Sunday (February 13th)

• One Great Hour of Sharing (April 3rd)

• Peace with Justice Sunday (June 19th)

• Native American Ministries Sunday (August 14th)

• World Communion Sunday (October 2nd)

. • United Methodist Student Day (November 13th)

 

 

 

 

In addition, we will also collect the Easter Offering and Christmas Offering. Please watch for more information about each of these special offerings in the newsletter and bulletin.

I also want to thank you for your continued support of our Celebration Sunday offerings. It has been our tradition at SUMC to celebrate birthdays and anniversaries on the last Sunday of each month. Each person celebrating is invited to present a special offering towards the church mortgage, with a suggested donation of $1 per year for each year celebrated. Since we've retired the Celebration Sunday Box, special Celebration Sunday Offering envelopes have been included in this year's boxes of giving envelopes to help remind you of this opportunity.

One final word about second mile giving. SUMC presents these special offerings as opportunities to respond to God's kindness through Christian Please bear in mind that they are opportunities rather than responsibilities, and that you are invited, but not obligated, to participate. I invite you to prayerfully consider each giving opportunity and to respond to whichever offerings you feel called to support. I am grateful for whatever amount you are able to give to any of these special offerings, and grateful for the amazing generosity of the people of Sedona United Methodist Church. Thank you!!!