It can be hard for churches to talk about money. It can feel corporate. It can feel greedy. It can feel self-serving. It can feel un-spiritual. It can feel... uncomfortable.
And churches talking about money could indeed be greedy and self-serving if it is not done with a solid theological grounding. Because as a church, we are NOT about producing a product or maintaining an institution or increasing our numbers or turning a profit. We are about things that cannot be adequately measured: spreading love and kindness. Providing comfort and care. Speaking up for justice and equity. Sharing our history and sacred traditions. Resisting the empire. Embodying peace and hope. Building God's kingdom.
On the surface, we give to West Parish to pay the heating bill and my salary and the insurance premiums and so on. But all of this is in service to higher goals and values. And it is those values that we enact so well at West Parish.
I am continually inspired by how we show up for one another, how we show up for our communities, how we are constantly wrestling with how to best embody the love of Jesus. And that is something worthy of our money!
If you plan to make a pledge to West Parish for 2026, I hope you will bring your pledge card with you this Sunday -- or "turn it in" online using the QR code! Thank you for believing in the power of love to change the world!.
