September 4th, 2020

"Sing to God a new song, for God has done marvelous things. 
Let the floods clap their hands; let the hills sing together for joy." - Psalm 98

Dearly Beloved,

If going to church has taught us anything, it’s this: you really need to be okay with metaphors to get very far with the Bible. Floods clapping hands? Hills singing together for joy? These things are impossible. Of course, that doesn’t mean they aren’t true, or that they can’t happen.

That’s why I have such hope for this year’s stewardship campaign. So much is different now than it has been; so much has gone wrong. Some among us spent much of the year furloughed; some of us lost our jobs altogether. Some of us were lucky enough to keep our jobs, but are now fearful for the future, and working to save money in new ways. A successful stewardship campaign may seem impossible.

And yet, just a few months ago, our financial situation looked impossible, and then God provided through your generosity and creativity. Just a few months ago, I would have said that transitioning overnight to a completely online church was impossible, and yet, we made the leap of faith together. We are people who believe in beautiful impossibilities, who shape our lives around the happening of things that simply cannot happen.

Tomorrow, we will begin distributing pledge cards at our Kickoff Saturday from 11:30 – 1 PM at the church, where you can drive through and receive a Blessing Bag, filled with worship gifts to you from your church family. During the month of September, you may complete your pledge card online at uccaustin.org/pledge or by mail. We will celebrate your participation in God’s generosity Sunday, September 27th at 10 AM in worship online. Until then, we pray together in joy:

​Holy One, for you the floods clap, 
for you the hills sing. 
You know my situation better than anyone. 
Take my credits and debits, 
ins and outs, 
my pluses and minuses, 
surpluses and lacks, 
and show me how to use them 
to join the great chorus of Creation. Amen

Much heart,
Rev. Anna Kreisle Humble