2025 Giving Goal

Your Gifts Matter

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November 6, 2024
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The season at Westwood United Methodist Church when we turn our attention to stewardship, to generosity, to taking care of God’s gifts all around us, near and far.
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The word “steward” comes from two ancient roots: stig, or “path, hall, part of a house,” and weard, or “guardian, person who watches over.” A steward is someone who protects a path, who watches over a house, who takes care of a treasure.
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The inspiring good news is that you and I were born to be “stewards” in this ancient sense. To protect and care for a path, a house, a treasure – and not just our individual home or church, but also the wider community we all share, love, and serve. God’s path, God’s house, the bright and beautiful temple of creation, full of God’s amazing creatures, great and small.
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That’s the mission each of us is born for. And that’s the mission Westwood UMC is born for, too. To embody and proclaim our values of justice and compassion in an unapologetically inclusive community. To make our extraordinary ministries possible: from our rich worship gatherings to thoughtful classes and podcasts; from our vibrant children’s ministry to our Grapple group to our new Found Family ministry. To care for our corner of creation, loving God and neighbor at every turn.
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The season of stewardship, in other words, is a season of continuing to become the people God created us to be. Protecting the path of love and justice. Watching over creation’s house of healing and hospitality. Taking care of all God’s creatures, great and small.
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We encourage you to prayerfully consider setting a giving goal for 2025; you can submit a pledge online or on a physical card on Sunday morning. Our worship in the Sanctuary and in the Loft will focus on stewardship during these next three weeks, culminating with our all-church combined worship celebration at 10am on the Sunday before Thanksgiving, November 24. We encourage you to consider the commitment you are able to make during these few weeks. Our hope is that our hearts are filled with gratitude for the gifts in our lives and the call to be good stewards, so all our neighbors might thrive.
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Thank you in advance for being a part of this special time of year, and most of all, for everything you do – great and small – to help protect, watch over, and care for God’s bright and beautiful world.
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Grace and peace,
Rev. Molly Vetter
Rev. Dr. Christopher Carter
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