If your past few weeks have been anything like mine, daily life has changed dramatically! My typically busy schedule has transitioned to long, slow days of communicating online and over the phone, all while wondering what the future will bring for my family and the world. Rushed lunch packing and last-minute dinners have given way to baking and leisurely meal preparation with my family. I have also tremendously enjoyed the many opportunities I have had to communicate with members of our church community on a personal level during these weeks. I’ve grown closer to friends and started new friendships. Sunday morning hellos and handshakes have become heartfelt phone conversations. Sharing the Lord’s Prayer with fellow parishioners over the phone or on a video call is as powerful as any spiritual experience I have ever had, in or out of church.
For many, this pandemic has brought not a welcome slower pace of life, but unprecedented health, personal, and financial crisis. Stores have closed, people have suddenly lost their jobs, and the unemployment rate has climbed to 33%. A student whose family was doing fine on Thursday reached out to me on Friday to say that circumstances had changed and they were almost out of food for the five people in their apartment. I directed him to resources and can only hope that his family was able to access them. The needs of our congregation and our greater community are deep and growing deeper. For those of us who are financially able, giving generously has never been more important than now. Although in-person church and meetings are temporarily cancelled, Nativity’s services to the congregation and community, and therefore the church’s financial needs, are not cancelled. Our church depends upon the donations of members and visitors to pay salaries, pay for our mortgage, maintain our buildings and grounds, and fund our many programs. Non-pledged regular giving and loose plate offerings make up almost 20% of our budgeted income, yet without offering plates to receive them, we risk losing these contributions.
I am asking you, if you are able, to join me in continuing your pledge contributions and regular giving. Fortunately, it has never been easier to do so! Thanks to the multi-talented Rene Garces, our Junior Warden, the church mailbox now has a lock to ensure that your mailed contributions are secure. Regular deposits continue. Our mailing address is: 8849 Ray Road, Raleigh, NC 27613. For those who wish to pay online, WeShare, Paypal, and Venmo are all now available here on the Nativity website. In about 10 minutes this morning, I was able to set up a Venmo account, download the app to my phone, link my debit card, and make my pledge contribution. It was so easy–I’ll never write a check again! If you typically toss a few bills in the collection plate on Sundays in addition to your pledge or regular giving, consider contributing a similar amount by check or via one of the online options.
Someday soon, we will be reunited to worship and praise God together. What a joyous day that will be! As we watch and wait for that eagerly anticipated reunion, let us show our faithfulness to each other by whatever means we can. Call the friend you’ve been meaning to check in with. Join one of the many Zoom calls available each week to connect with our fellow parishioners. Watch church on Facebook Live on Sundays at 10:30–it isn’t the same as the real thing, but I promise that it is very, very special. And if you are able, please continue your financial contributions to the church. Thank you all for your faith and dedication in caring for one another and the world.
In Christ,
Carrie