Gifts abound, they’re everywhere… From my family’s entrance into this church we have found ways --- no, we have been invited to share our gifts with those in this community and beyond. When gifting, people would think the recipient, those who receive the gift, would be the one or ones who benefitted from those actions. In retrospect, however, the inverse is true. My experiences here have driven home that message – giving, whether with time, talent, or tithing, is at the core of who we are as members of this congregation, this community, this world. As Christians we are called to give. And to serve. But know that in giving and in serving, there is delight. I know – I have been delighted.
First, you need to understand – I’m just an ordinary guy. I’m married, have two kids, a dog, and a mortgage. I teach kids about Greece and grammar at Washington Middle School, while trying to find ways to work out, eat more vegetables, and be a good husband and father. I came to this church via the back door – we wanted to find a preschool where my youngest would be loved and nurtured. We found both here at the UCC Preschool, and the more I was around this place, the more I found it to be true about everyone here. So know that I came with no advance theology or years of Congregational church membership. Instead, I was a non-practicing Methodist who hadn’t regularly attended services in years. So knowing that, how does one become a giving member of this congregation? It’s easy. And delightful. Delightful because the act of giving somehow gives me something in return. So what have I given? I will start with the only thing that we all have the same finite amount of….Time.
Time
I participated as a UCC Preschool board member, painted the office of the new, incoming associate pastor and eventually the entire outside of the building with other members and my father, baked awesome chocolate ice box pies for bazaars, took time to bid on silent auction items at those same bazaars even after my wife told me we were not buying anything this year, contributed those same auction items a few years later thus doubling their value and contribution to the church, solemnly attended Ash Wednesday services in preparation for the season of Lent, supported the intergenerational mission trip to Guatemala, raised a hammer to build a home for Habitat, worked on staff alongside Peter, Amy, and Joyce to do whatever needed to be done, organized Christmas pageants, helped with haunted houses, and crafted clay plates and cups. And how did I do all those things? I was invited --- by a member, by a staff person, by an announcement in the bulletin or Crier or email, by a poster or a personal phone call. I was invited and knew, based on my time here at UCC, that I had the chance to give my gifts for the greater good. And I did. And I still do. And I am delighted. Because in giving I got back fellowship, new relationships, fun, spiritual growth, a sense of being needed, appreciation. Delight in giving your precious time.
Talent
What about talent? Whether we recognize it or not, we each have a talent or even multiple talents to give to this church. Whether it is the talent of relating to youngsters or the talent to cook a meal, give that talent with delight. For me, my talent is singing. As I began to hang around the church, I was invited by Jean Woessner, my son’s preschool teacher, to join a small ensemble of singers, those who simply loved to sing. I agreed. That decision has been primary to my faith journey and has radically influenced both me and my family. At that time I had not sung publicly since my wedding day…. I’m not sure why. I only knew that in singing here, I rediscovered a love that had been absent for over a decade. But this love was different. The joy of music here, in church, was different. The camaraderie of singers was wonderful, but it was more than that. As we connected pieces of the music with the message, I understood the gift I was I given and the gift we collectively gave. The rise and fall of voices, the poetry of words, the message – all of these resonated deep within my soul. This was my gift – my voice, raised to the heavens with others. In rehearsal in the music room we decipher, we learn, we practice, we practice some more. And while it might eventually be beautiful there, it becomes something very different in this sanctuary. At that time it becomes a gift. Sometimes in the midst of it, I listen and shudder. The music hangs in the air and I look upon the congregation and realize that they too sense the presence of God – and it changes us. I receive this gift as much as I give – Jeff’s lilting trumpet, Alice’s resonant harp, the fullness of the Chancel choir, the simple, perfect sounds of the bells, hearing my own sons offer their musical gifts to the congregation. All of these gifts, both given and received, are powerful, are moving, and are delightful. What better place to share such gifts than in this place and in this time.
Tithe
Finally, delight in the gift of tithing, not necessarily in a literal sense, but in the sense that you make a conscious decision to give back part of the financial resources God has given to you. For me, it is personal. I give money to the church each month. I write a check. Not an automatic payment, not a credit card charge, but a hand-written check. I bring it to Sunday service, or if I miss services – yes, this steward does not have perfect attendance – I bring my check to the office. It feels more real to me. At that moment when I place it in the plate or hand it to a staff member, I am reminded of what that money does. It pays for the choir director, the lights, the food Kels enthusiastically serves to the high school kids at lunch each Wednesday, fellowship events, the weekly electronic newsletter, our pastors, our music directors. I am also keenly aware that part of it is passed on beyond our walls to the community, the Conference, those in need. Why do I delight in it? Honestly, the church needs it and I know it. I know it is not ever taken for granted or spent lightly. And I know that I personally benefit from it by being active in the church. That delights me.
Closing
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