Over the years, Thanksgiving has morphed into a time to express gratitude. And that is a beautiful thing. But maybe it’s also time for lamentation. Remembering those who came before us. Remembering whose land we are on. Remembering the harm that has been done.
 
And it’s time to tell the people around the table what they mean to us. Time to acknowledge all the good that is happening in the world. Time to thank the Creator for giving us another day to be of service.

Sitting down and writing a thank you letter takes time. It takes thought. It takes effort.

But to the person you are writing to, it might be just the note they need to read. It might become a cherished validation of who they are and what they mean to you. It lets them know they matter.

Sometimes I long for the day when giving was simpler. Write me a check! Put your cash donation in the giving envelope! But even as I wish it were so, you and I need to know about this because other non-profits are making it their business to understand and promote other (and sometimes financially smarter) ways of giving.

Being purple means intentionally bringing together people with different convictions to worship, serve, and grow side by side. It’s about the hard, holy work of listening, breaking bread, and building community like Jesus did.

All Saints Sunday is a fabulous opportunity to encourage people to think about leaving a legacy gift to impact the future of your congregation.

When people give their money to your congregation, it is a sign of hope. A sign that they believe in the communal power of giving to a community that feeds the soul and nurtures people both within and beyond its doors and into the world.

Over thousands of years, people have been using these four steps to motivate people to be more moral, to live better lives, and to support important causes. It’s not complicated. It just takes a little time and imagination.

Presenting facts and figures to convince people of your worthiness does not inspire them to get out their check book or their credit card. Sharing a story about how your congregation or organization changed a person’s life? Now that moves people.

We're all different. You wouldn’t write the same letter to me that you’d write to your boss. It’s the same with stewardship letters.

By looking behind and looking forward, individuals might feel called through faith (as Jesus nudges them) to actively support your church financially.