Forgive Us Our Debts |
| Latest News |
 As of February 10, 2009 we have a pledge total of $959,785, which represents 73.8% of our goal! Our sincere thanks to everyone who has pledged so far - we are well on our way towards achieving our goal of $1.3 million in pledges!  |
| Latest Blog Posting |
| Posted by Libby Nelson on November 29, 2008 (Comments) The Possibility of Connection I admit when I first heard about the Forgive Us Our Debts plan to contact each church member about meeting face to face to ask for their pledge, I was skeptical. I pictured the daily litter of toys in our house of three little boys, the bathroom used by the same small army, the kitchen where the breakfast dishes are often put on hold until lunchtime as we roll out the door to meet the bus and to make the preschool drop-off. All of the little chores that need doing daily anyway, but that more often than not fall prey to my exhaustion at the end of a busy day...on display for a "church person" to see. I pictured telling my husband, a "Chreaster" (Christmas and Easter attendee), that "church people" were coming over. To talk about money. Face to face. I pictured feeling pressure to give an answer on the spot, to explain why we can (or cannot) pledge a certain amount. I started to think about excuses for why a home visit just won't work for us. What I missed in my knee jerk reaction of "No" was the possibilities that a face to face meeting offers me. An opportunity to connect with good people, willing to put themselves "out there" for the sake of our church community and our collective future as a congregation. The goal of these meetings isn't to push or pry, but rather to make a personal connection with each member of our congregation. They are an opportunity to find out what is happening in the life of a person or a family, to build a relationship. The meetings may also be a direct way for our pastoral staff to learn about job loss, health problems and other concerns and joys that offer an opportunity for a call to ministry to that might otherwise go unheard. As for the pressure of pledging, those of you have had visits already know that the process just doesn't work like that. After getting to know you and talking about how life has been for you lately, the campaign member that visits will discuss a certain amount, a "guesstimate" of a pledge that they will ask you to prayerfully consider. With your permission, he or she will return in a few days to bring back your pledge card (which you will then complete and seal in an envelope). Pledge forms are not seen by anyone on the campaign and you don't need to explain the size of your gift. I have been assured, too, that my house doesn't need to be clean to receive a "church person." If it fits my schedule or stress level better, someone from the campaign team will meet me at Starbucks or in the park or in a quiet corner of FCC either before or after a church service. As far as "church people" go, it is the people I have met at FCC who seem to understand best what it is like to be a parent of little ones, a busy mom, an imperfect human being, dirty dishes and all. I hope that when you receive your call from the member of the Forgive Us Our Debts campaign who has you on her list, you will see the request for a meeting with her for exactly what it is...a moment filled with the possibility of caring and connection and the opportunity to be a part of something bigger at FCC. Submit Comments on this blog post. |
| Media |
View the "Forgive Us Our Debts" video. Listen to the original composition "Forgive Us Our Debts" with lyrics by Rev. Dave and music by FCC's own Brian Gier. View the lyrics to "Forgive Us Our Debts". Listen to Budd's Sermon of September 21, 2008 |
| Documents |
| View the Forgive Us Our Debts Brochure Download or Print a FUOD Pledge Card Download or Print an Automatic Withdrawal Form Download or Print a Credit Card Authorization Form Having trouble accessing the documents? Click on this logo to download Acrobat Reader:  |
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