Over the past year, University United Methodist Church has enriched the lives of thousands of people in our community and hundreds of others around the nation and world. That’s not hyperbole: more than 30 non-profit and community groups regularly use our church buildings. In the past 12 months community groups brought more than 4,000 people through our church doors. Four thousand! Such wonderful hospitality is possible because of the generosity of our congregation . Would you consider helping us extend our hospitality further?

Church Council has set a goal for University UMC to connect more intentionally with these community groups in 2012. We can share not only the hospitality of our facilities, but also the talents of our members. We want these community groups to become our community partners. To this end, we pray that our financial stewardship campaign will enable us to hire a Community Partnership Coordinator. This position will help us expand our hospitality and deepen our discipleship by increasing our service to our neighbors. Your generosity can help make this possible.

Please consider this important goal for 2012 when you consider your pledge. And speaking of pledges… As you faithfully steward your resources at home, we faithfully steward your gifts to the church. This year’s financial stewardship campaign is our least expensive to date, and our church’s expenses this year are staying well within budge. We are grateful for your generosity and trust as we serve God together in the world.

As you consider your giving for 2012, consider the contentment that comes from putting God first in your life – and the joy that comes from knowing our gifts honor God and change lives. Please take a look at the online pledge form and submit it (or return your mailed copy) by Pledge Sunday, November 6.

If you are making a first-time pledge, a ‘silent partner’ has promised to honor your pledge with an additional $200 gift. No matter your pledge amount, if you are pledging for the first time, your pledge effectively will increase by $200! If this opportunity applies to you, we hope you will seriously consider what this additional gift in your name could do for the glory of God. Silent Partners are just that. The names of everyone involved in this opportunity – both first-time givers and the Silent Partners themselves – will be kept confidential.

We are grateful that you are a member of University UMC with us and we wish you God’s blessings in the coming year!

In Christ,

Rob and Amanda Holliday

Pledge Online