Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! 
Lanier, Bailey and I hope that you and your family are still enjoying this special season of celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. As we woke up on the 25th with the excitement of Bailey's first Christmas in front of us, and the joy watching open up her gifts from friends and family, we couldn't help but thank God for the relationships He has given us through FCA over the past 11 years. You all truly are one of the greatest gifts we will ever receive!  

This year you all stood by our family as you helped to welcome Bailey after her birth in February. You cried with us over her LCHAD diagnosis and then you rejoiced with us when we received the miraculous news that she did not have a metabolic disorder. We are so grateful for the community who journeyed with us on this roller coaster. This Christmas and New Year we hope that you will be able to stop and think back through your own struggles and celebrations this year and see God's faithfulness in every step - just as we have.
Rivals Come Together
Earlier this month two Maryland FCA lacrosse teams traveled to Chapel Hill to play in a tournament. Their last evening in town, FCA Lacrosse co-founder Frank Kelly hosted a dinner at UNC Chapel Hill's University Club for all 40 players, their families and siblings. I had the great privilege of partnering with Frank to facilitate the ministry component of the event by bringing eight current lacrosse players from Duke and UNC to join us that evening. The players participated in a panel where Frank posed different questions to the players about their involvement with FCA. The guys candidly discussed living out their faith while playing Division 1 lacrosse as well as the difficulties of playing lacrosse at such a high level. You could say that in this case FCA Lacrosse is the great unifier - allowing storied rivals to share a meal and their testimonies about what FCA has meant to them over the years. We were deeply grateful to these young men for sacrificing a Saturday night to make this evening so special for these young players and families. 

Another highlight of the night was a visit from UNC's Football Chaplain, Mitch Mason. Mitch is a gifted speaker and shared a powerful message with everyone before the Maryland teammates broke into huddles that were each led by the Duke and UNC players. 

Andy Droney, a Duke lacrosse alum and current head coach of the 2021 Maryland FCA team, shared his thoughts about the event: " I began my involvement with FCA at Calvert Hall in 1987 and have been involved with the program as a player and coach on and off for nearly 30 years. I can honestly say this was one of the best FCA events I have ever been a part of."
Year End Giving - $67,720 So Far!
This past month - with the help of UNC students who were taking study breaks while  studying  for finals at our house - we made over 1,800 buckeyes (that's 117 pounds of chocolatey peanut butter goodness) to say thank you to all those who have financially partnered with us throughout the past year.

Over the last month, many of you have decided to join us in reaching the lacrosse community for Jesus Christ. These generous gifts help to plan the rest of the year allowing us to say yes to all of the different ministry opportunities that come across our paths.

This year you all have blown away Lanier and me by giving a grand total of $67,720 in year end giving leaving us only $7,280 short of our victory goal of $75,000! To say that we are overwhelmed by this is an understatement. 

Please know that no gift is too small. In fact, just this past month I spoke with a former intern of mine who graciously decided to become a monthly partner with FCA. He told me, "I know this might not be much but hopefully it allows you to share lunch with someone just like it allowed you to share lunch with me at Andy Nelson's while I was in college." I cannot tell you what his partnership means to me. 

For those of you who are still considering year end gifts, there is still time to do so. And yes, there is still time for Buckeyes! 
 
To support me either with a special end of the year gift or a monthly gift  click here. If you would like to give by check, please m ake it out to FCA and include "Scott Hodgson" on the memo line.

Mail to:
FCA Lacrosse 
ATTN: Scott Hodgson 
4600 Marriott Drive 
Suite 120 
Raleigh, NC 27612

For those of you who have already given, THANK YOU! We are grateful beyond description. 

Happy New Year!
Scott 
 

About Scott
 
Scott joined the FCA staff in 2006. Prior to Scott coming on staff he spent the previous two years coaching lacrosse at the collegiate level. He was at The Ohio State University where he served as the Volunteer Assistant Coach and at his Alma Mater Susquehanna University where he served as the Offensive Coordinator. Scott grew up in New Jersey and now lives in Chapel Hill, NC with his wife Lanier, daughter Bailey, and their two dogs.

 

To learn more about Scott and how you continue to support his ministry within FCA, please visit his staff page by clicking here.

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