FROM THE PASTOR - MARCH 2006

What an amazing church! On January 29, we held our “Together for Tomorrow” pledge campaign. Our goal was $30,000. From that one Sunday alone, we raised pledges totaling $26,000!

Those of you who weren’t able to be here that day have probably already received your informational packet and pledge envelope. As you know from the brochure, the “Together for Tomorrow” campaign seeks to raise ten million dollars for five critical areas of our Conference.

1. Congregational development.  This endowment will generate money every year to support new initiatives in existing congregations and to help start new churches. 22.5% of our donations will help support congregational development.

2. Camps & retreats ministries.  Have you ever been to Rolling Ridge in North Andover? It’s a beautiful retreat center, but if you’ve been there, you know that the entrance road can raise havoc with your shocks. Not only will our support help repair that road, it will also help building upgrades, not only at Rolling Ridge, but in our three other camps as well. 22.5% of our donations will help support camps & retreat ministries.

3. Pastoral retirement. Our Conference is committed to paying health care premiums for Harvey Smith, Frank Kooker, Wendy VanOrden, and all the other retired clergy in our Conference. All of us know only too well that those premiums continue to climb every year. By establishing a financial endowment, our Conference can continue to provide for those who have ministered to us in the past. 22.5% of our donations will help support pastoral retirement.

4. Local Share.  22.5% of every dollar we raise will be returned to First Community. We are free to do with that money anything we want: enable ongoing ministry and mission in Medford, upgrade our facilities, even give it away if we want.

5. International mission.  Our Conference is committed to responding to the needs of those in the world at large. For several years we have provided aid for education, health care and protection for victims of domestic violence in Nicaragua, and established scholarships, funds for relief workers, schools, salaries for pastors, and medicine for the sick of West Angola. 10% of our donations will help support these ongoing missions.

Thank you to all of you who have already contributed to the “Together for Tomorrow” campaign. If you have not yet made that commitment, I hope you will do so.

                                                                                                                           Pastor Tony

P.S.: Another example of how amazing our church is: On Feb. 1st, 216 pounds of food were brought to the food pantry. That brings our total to date to 816 pounds, almost ½ way to our goal. Thank you very much for you kindness and generosity.

P.P.S.: If you made a pledge to the “Together for Tomorrow” campaign, you should soon receive a reminder envelope from the Conference office. Simply send your check to the address on the reminder.