Weekly Clergy Letter from Mother Anne Turner

Dear Friends in Christ—

 

It is often said that we give in response to gratitude.  I believe this maxim is true.  But I also want to suggest that the reverse is equally true: we become grateful by giving.

 

Generosity does not just spring from gratitude.  It also cultivates gratitude.  It is our actions that change our hearts.

 

How can this be?  A clergy friend once told me that when he is feeling anxious, the first thing he does is give some money away.  It sounds counterintuitive, but the gesture reminds him of the resources he has and the power he has to use them.  His anxiety shifts to confidence which shifts to gratitude.

 

Culturally and socially, we are in an anxious moment.  Do you want to feel gratitude rather than anxiety?  Act generously.

 

Here are a couple of ways:

 

• Pledge. Our pledge ingathering was last week, but there’s still time to offer your support for 2025 to Grace Church.  Pledging gives the vestry an accurate picture of our resources and figures prominently in the budget decisions the vestry will make over the next two months.  In short, your pledge matters.  It changes the church, and it changes your heart, too.
• Thanksgiving Baskets. Families will line up this Sunday to register for a basket, and a gift towards a basket today will help the church know how many baskets we can offer. 

I know we all want glad and grateful hearts.  I believe they are within our reach.

 

Yours in Christ,

Anne