I just got out my calculator, punched in a few numbers and discovered that in a recent year, after I added the grand total of giving to all of the Special Sundays in my conference, the average giving per United Methodist was 24 cents!
24 CENTS!
Now I know not every United Methodist gives to Special Sundays, but I also know many United Methodists give very generously to every single Special Sunday. What saddens me is many people are never given the opportunity to give because the Special Sunday is not announced or observed; resources are not ordered; opportunities are not given.
What I learned as a member of the conference staff is these offerings are the basis for incredible ministries. Just think what we could do if we challenged everyone to put more than 24 cents—how about at least $1?—into the offering envelope.
I encourage each congregation to participate in Native American Ministries Sunday, the second Sunday after Easter. These gifts enrich our United Methodist Church! They fund urban ministries with Native Americans, provide scholarships for Native Americans attending United Methodist and other approved seminaries, and develop and nurture conference-based Native American ministries.
What can you buy for $1 . . . $10 . . . $50? If you put your money where your heart is, you can buy a lot on Native American Ministries Sunday! Please do so. Celebrate the gifts and contributions of Native Americans. Thank you!
--The Rev. Jane Follmer Zekoff, former director of connectional ministries, Wisconsin Conference
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