2022 Pledge Drive
Greetings from your Stewardship and Outreach Committee,
“Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the God of lights, with who there is no variation or shadow due to change.” James 1:17
This has been the scripture guiding our pledge drive for 2022. And what a response it has been in so many ways, as all of those at Red Lodge Community Church continue to practice LOVE in Action.
This has been a year of challenges, innovation, and adapting. As a church, we acted and came out stronger. Each person came to the realization how important our faith and the people who celebrate it with us truly are. The adaptations of the year have been numerous and successful. Zoom was introduced as a mechanism for keeping us connected. We Zoomed into worship and Zoomed into Coffee Klatch. We sanitized, distanced, and masked all while working to stay connected to one another and to continue to do the good works that God has entrusted to this community of believers in Red Lodge, Montana. As vaccinations became available (could that be considered an answer to prayer?!!) and fears subsided, we were able to once again, worship in the sanctuary, realizing the benefits of gathering together in praise and adoration. One of the things we value most about Red Lodge Community Church is that we are a community of believers who value each other’s company. For those with personal health concerns, we are grateful for the continued use production of our on-line worship and Coffee Klatch by Zoom interactions. Whether in contact in person or via technology, together we are a force for good in God’s world.
Stewardship and outreach go hand in hand. The giving of and managing our resources has been augmented by a tremendous matching gift donor this year, who is matching up to $10,000 for any sustained pledge. This is in addition to the regular and generous pledges that people have made. The pledge campaign allows the church council to plan the budget for 2022 and each gift is acknowledged with gratitude for keeping our building in operation, our staff salaried, and our community outreach possible. 1 Peter 4:10-11, “As each has received a gift, employ it in serving one another, as good manager of the grace of God in its various forms.”
It is these things that provide the base from which we put LOVE in Action: A joy-filled, hard-working pastor; music and the people who produce it; this well-maintained building we love. Shalom, bulletins each Sunday, the phone that gets answered and all the other tasks Janet performs for our benefit. There’s a lot of expense in keeping this church running, and these are the things that make up the biggest part of our budget.
We know it is our actions that bring our faith to life. They are God’s love through us reaching out into the world. That is the Outreach part of who we are. Providing shelter for those displaced by fires. Supporting the COVID Relief Fund at the foundation, extending a hand to the children at the Boys and Girls Club of the Northern Cheyenne and Crow, sending blankets to Church World Service, generously contributing to the five special offerings of the UCC. Providing space for preschoolers, helping stock the cupboards at the food bank. Oftentimes helping in ways, we never see or hear about. Consider these words from Archbishop Desmond Tutu: “Do your little bit of good where you are. It’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.” While all the little bits we do individually and as a church family may not have overwhelmed the world just yet, they surely have made a difference in this community and beyond. The pandemic has only made us a stronger force for LOVE in Action. Let’s continue to use it to ride the wave even higher. Please consider prayerfully what you value and what you are willing offer to keep Red Lodge Community Church in the forefront of the action.
JoAnn, Julia, Carol, Linda and Russ
RLCC Stewardship and Outreach Committee
RLCC Stewardship and Outreach Committee
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