annual pledge drive 2021-2022
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Annual Pledge Drive Worship Sunday March 14, 2021 Watch here! Virtual Pledge-a-thon Saturday March 20, 2021 Watch here! |
An excerpt from the sermon “Where Have We Come From and Why Keep It Going?” by Rev. Jane Rzepka
In the 1930s, of course, times were tough. At that time, our church members were accustomed to pledging either twenty-five cents a week, fifty cents, or one dollar. During the 1929-1930 church year, all of the church members fulfilled their pledges of thirteen, twenty-six, or fifty-two dollars.
But as the Depression began, our ledger books begin to show tiny numbers at the bottom of each page. Five cents. Two dollars, twelve dollars. And then a little “s.” Five cents “short” of the pledge. Twelve dollars “short.” Just what one would expect.
But imagine this: Imagine that more numbers appear at the bottom of the ledger. Four dollars. Eighty cents. Seven dollars. Thirty cents. And after these numbers, the tiny letter “o.” Four dollars “over” the pledge. Eighty cents “over.” I can find no evidence of a special appeal from the Governing Board, no traces of public discussion, only the quiet generosity of the people of our church.
I read a lot of historical material this week, but nothing touched me more than the dusty ledger book from the thirties, from high up on a shelf: In our church during the Depression, for every pledge that had fallen short, one of many generous people overpaid his or her pledge to compensate.
I love the history of this church. Gandhi was never a member. Mother Teresa never belonged either. Just regular folks. They dedicated their babies, they worshiped, they reached out to do their part in the world, they cared for one another, the kept this place going, they tried to live their best lives.
In the 1930s, of course, times were tough. At that time, our church members were accustomed to pledging either twenty-five cents a week, fifty cents, or one dollar. During the 1929-1930 church year, all of the church members fulfilled their pledges of thirteen, twenty-six, or fifty-two dollars.
But as the Depression began, our ledger books begin to show tiny numbers at the bottom of each page. Five cents. Two dollars, twelve dollars. And then a little “s.” Five cents “short” of the pledge. Twelve dollars “short.” Just what one would expect.
But imagine this: Imagine that more numbers appear at the bottom of the ledger. Four dollars. Eighty cents. Seven dollars. Thirty cents. And after these numbers, the tiny letter “o.” Four dollars “over” the pledge. Eighty cents “over.” I can find no evidence of a special appeal from the Governing Board, no traces of public discussion, only the quiet generosity of the people of our church.
I read a lot of historical material this week, but nothing touched me more than the dusty ledger book from the thirties, from high up on a shelf: In our church during the Depression, for every pledge that had fallen short, one of many generous people overpaid his or her pledge to compensate.
I love the history of this church. Gandhi was never a member. Mother Teresa never belonged either. Just regular folks. They dedicated their babies, they worshiped, they reached out to do their part in the world, they cared for one another, the kept this place going, they tried to live their best lives.