Where charity and love are, God is there. Emmanuel’s stewardship theme this year is “Love your neighbor”. Over the past few weeks, we’ve heard about different ways that we can think of our neighbor. A few weeks ago Karen King highlighted several places where the command to love our neighbor is found in the Bible. She shared one of her favorites, Jesus telling in the Gospel of Luke the parable of the Good Samaritan. Our neighbors can be those who were strangers but made neighbors thanks to compassion and mercy. Building on this the following week, Carolyn Roosevelt reminded us that the Samaritan made a pledge to the innkeeper to pay for his neighbor’s care. Last week Mary Blocher spoke to us about how Emmanuel ensures that there is room at the inn by keeping the doors open, the programs running, the staff paid, the lights on, and the hospitality flowing.
Lisa Faber Ginggen
All of you, Emmanuel, have been my inn this past year and a half. When my family moved back to Boston after two brief years in Cincinnati, I was unsure of how I was going to find a church to do my seminary field education. Even though I had lived in the Boston area for many years, I felt like a stranger in a strange land. I prayed that God would help me find just the right place. And as prayer can work, someone who heard me talk about my interest in Hebrew and the First Testament suggested that I reach out to Pam. You all welcomed me as I suspect you do many a stranger. You have shown me love, compassion, and mercy; so we are strangers no more, but neighbors and friends. You have patiently answered my questions, given me feedback, helped me in so many ways along my journey to hopefully becoming a priest. I am very grateful.
Both receiving and giving, I pledge to Emmanuel because I am part of this community. I want to contribute to our collective movement towards shalom. I do believe that we belong to each other.
The most important part of pledging is making a commitment. I am committing to make my pledge this week. I encourage you to plan time to reflect and pray about your commitment for next year. Many pledges of various amounts, some smaller and some bigger, come together to make one Emmanuel budget. Know that life happens; pledges can be adjusted in either direction during the year. Please make your commitment to Emmanuel for 2023; for where charity and love are, God is there.
–Lisa Faber Ginggen