A couple of years ago I worked with an amazing pastor who wrote at least one thank you note a week. He wrote to his neighbors who beautified their yard and made his evening walk more enjoyable, he wrote to church members who went above and beyond, he wrote to the cashier at the grocery store who was always so friendly, and the mom at the soccer game who cheered loudly and positively for all the kids. He really taught me how powerful it is to honor the ways that others make the world better. To say I see you and the way you are trying to make a difference and it matters.
I have been most postiviely impacted in my life by the people of the Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. So it’s natural that I would want to say thank you to those folks. From a very early age I’ve been active in annual conference gatherings for youth, at the annual meeting itself, and on boards and committees. I have been allowed to lead and to learn. I’ve received many trainings and gotten to hear amazing speakers. People have prayed for me, encouraged me, and reminded me that I have something to give for God. I’ve made amazing friends and grown so much from being around my wonderful colleagues. Thank you.
One of the things I am thankful for is that conference gave a grant to Sellwood Faith Community for us to begin our ministry. Over the course of 4 years, from 2013-2017 we will receive $175, 771. As long as we continue to grow and move towards sustainability we’ll be funded for those years. It’s a substantial investment in new ways of being church.
To say thank you for this gift and the support we’ve gotten for the faith community we do a thank you every year at our annual meeting. All the pastors from Oregon-Idaho come and the lay leaders as well. This year we bought some simple wooden napkin rings and decorated them at dinner over the course of several weeks. At conference I asked folks to take a napkin ring as a thank you gift and as a reminder to pray for us. Most people were delighted, some declined while saying they would still pray for us.
I know not every one got one, so here is another thank you. To all of you who were there and to those others who are part of this journey who were not, thank you. I see you, I see that you are trying to make a difference. It matters. It matters to us here in Sellwood and it matters to the people in your neighborhood. Thank you for your hard work. Thank you for the funding. Thank you for the prayers and encouragement. Thank you for your ideas and enthusiasm. Thank you for teaching me to love God and to love others.
Thank you,
Eilidh
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| The last few we had left before the final break. |
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