The Spiritual and the Financial

Because of my involvement in the Finance and Stewardship Committees, I have often heard the complaint that there is “too much talk of money” in our church life at Emerson.  The idea that one’s religious life should be untainted by such “worldly” aspects as money can be deeply rooted.  However I do not think it serves us well individually or as a congregation.

I believe bringing our values to bear on our choices and actions in all areas of our lives is vital to spiritual growth.  This is at the heart of the connection between our religious lives and our choices about money.  How we chose to allocate our financial resources, at least in part, demonstrates what is important to us.   It has been said, “You can learn what someone values by looking at their check book.”  In this light, I find the financial matters of budgeting, spending, giving, and investing, all become spiritual practices.  The acts of discernment and allocation based on religious values work to elevate what could be mundane financial necessities to deliberate expressions of faith; much the same way mindfulness can transform a walk into a meditation.

I believe that nurturing spiritual growth is an integral part of Emerson Unitarian Universalist Church’s mission.  Therefore, it is imperative that we engage in conversations that challenge us to see if our choices and actions are in line with our values, including our choices that involve finances.  Talking about the financial realities of membership and congregational life should be as natural as talking about the challenges we face when we celebrate diversity.  Money is an integral part of our lives and our congregational life.  All too often, we act as if we are ashamed of that fact.

I believe that if we only talk about finances at annual budget time, if we do not make the conversation about finances a part of ongoing congregational life, we send the message that it is separate from the daily business of our lives.  Alternately, we can encourage others and ourselves to deepen our understanding of how money affects our individual and congregational lives by talking openly, naturally and often.  We can examine how our daily financial choices work to support the expression of our faith.

The Stewardship Committee is committed to engaging the congregation in this conversation.  To that end, you will see on the church calendar Stewardship Chalice Circle meetings from 1:00 to 2:30 PM on the fourth Sunday of most months beginning in August.  Please join us!  There will be refreshment provided before the meeting to fortify us for the conversation.   We will start by working our way through the following list of questions (one or two each month), in part adapted from Creating Congregations of Generous People by Michael Durall:

• We are not asking for a pledge.  The challenge is to become generous people.  How will our members react to this challenge?
• We will lead lives that go against the grain of the prevailing consumer culture.  Are we called to lead lives of dedication, commitment and sacrifice?
• Should members be asked to forego the purchase of consumer items, and make gifts that are more generous to the church or to other causes?
• Financial Stewardship is not just the amount we give to church and charity, but how we spend all our money.  Do we live our lives differently from those that do not share our religious values?
• Many churches give from 10 to 15 percent (some more) of their budgets to the less fortunate.  What is our obligation beyond our four walls?
• Should there be an expectation of yearly increases in their pledges as member’s tenure in our religious community increases?

I look forward to engaging in the conversation with you!

Billye Smith, Stewardship Committee Chair

Shop Online and Raise Money For Emerson Church! Just click the Amazon button at left whenever you buy books, music, movies, electronic gear, computers (and anything else that Amazon.com sells), and Emerson Church will get a cash rebate equal to 5 to 7% of your purchase! Please note: You will pay the exact same sales price, and shipping charge (or free shipping) that you would normally pay. There is NO penalty to you! Emerson can use this income! We are not requesting that you purchase anything over and above what you would usually purchase; just visit this page when you do want to buy something from them.

How About This Idea? Bookmark this page, but title your bookmark Amazon. That way, the next time you click your link, you’ll automatically send yourself here first!

Please note: If you use this page to window shop at Amazon, but then later return via a different route to make the actual purchase, the tracking mechanism that ties the sale to the church will be lost! So please remember to initiate your purchasing from this page each time you visit Amazon so that the church will benefit.
The link to Amazon is provided here as a creative and easy way for our church to raise additional funds. Endorsement by Emerson Unitarian Universalist Church is neither expressed nor implied.

Scholarship Fund We are starting our second year of helping three students who are the first in their families to go to college. No amount is too small: $10x100 members is a lot! What a difference we can make! Contact: Carol Groppe

Donate Blood The M.D. Anderson Blood Donation Coach stops at Emerson on the first Sunday of each quarter, from 9am to 1pm. Upcoming scheduled dates are February 3, May 4, August 3 and November 2, 2008. Please come before or after the worship service to donate blood and save lives.

If you’re at least 17 years of age (no upper age limit) and weigh at least 110 pounds, please consider becoming a blood donor. And remember that a temporary deferral from qualifying as a donor in the past due to certain health conditions, medications or foreign travel may no longer apply.