"Like plants that grow and flourish with the air that we exhale, the ministry of our congregation is daily enlivened by gifts you and I give in thanksgiving for what we have received. Worship in our beautiful gathering spaces, music and faith formation activities for people of all ages, engaging programs for children and youth, care for one another, care for vulnerable people in our community and around the world, care for creation, care for our facilities and grounds, salaries and resources for staff- these are all brought to life and sustained by the gifts we give."                                  -From Pastor Ruud's recent letter to the congregation

In the Stewardship packet that is being distributed this week at church and through the mail, there is a Plan for Giving in 2018-2019 that serves two important purposes. First of all, it engages us all in prayerful deliberation about how we can connect our gratitude with our capacity to be generous. Each year, this is a very important faith practice in every household. Secondly, our Plan for Giving provides congregational leaders with important information as they begin the process of developing a vision for ministry in the next fiscal year.  In that light, we are asking everyone to bring their Plan for Giving in 2018-2019 with them to worship this Sunday, March 18 and place it in the basket that is passed during the offering. If you can't be with us  this Sunday , you may mail your Plan for Giving to us or bring it with you to worship on Palm  Sunday, March 25 .