The Most Important Letter You’re Not Sending
Gather ‘round, folks, and learn a little about the Queen of Etiquette, Emily Post. Ms. Post (1872-1960) was the one to guide Americans in good manners way back last century.
In 1922, as a single mother of two, she published her book Etiquette – and it quickly topped the non-fiction bestseller list. I guess behaving well was a thing back then. How quaint! In fact, back in the day, Etiquette was the second most stolen library book…next to the Bible.
You can breathe a sigh of relief because the Post family business is still at it, with fifth-generation heirs keeping America up on all things that polite society needs to know.
Why bring up Emily Post?
She knew the importance of a good thank you note.
The Emily Post website has what seems to be a gazillion (an actual number) articles and videos on “How to Write a Thank You Note.”
Since the art of handwriting a letter of any sort seems to be dying – thanks to texts, emails, and “oops, I forgot” – maybe it’s time to remind you of the impact of a short but heartfelt note:
It can mean the world. So...
Pull out some notecards, find your favorite pen, and sit down.
Take a breath and think about the person you are thanking.
According to the three-step Emily Post-approved process, here’s how a thank you should go:
The opener - appreciate the giver.
Offer your thank you (and mention what you’re doing with the gift).
Wish them well.
Address the envelope, stamp it with a real stamp, and plop it in the mail (and hope the Pony Express gets it to its destination in a reasonable amount of time).
Here’s an example following the three-step process:
The opener:What a lovely surprise it was to receive your generous gift!
Thank you:Thank you. Your gift to the Pastor’s Discretionary Fund is making it possible for our congregation to assist people in need. Just last week – and because of gifts like yours – a donation was made to help a family pay their first month’s rent. What a blessing.
Wish them well:Once again, thank you. I’m looking forward to seeing you on Sunday!
Here’s the thing: Getting a letter out shortly after you receive a gift is the best practice.
However, it’s never too late to send a thank you letter.
In fact, I sometimes invoke Emily Post if I’m writing an overdue thank you – “Oh my, Emily Post would be upset with me…this thank you note is so long in coming. Please forgive me, and please accept my heartfelt thanks.”
Sadly, Emily Post may not hold as much sway in our culture as she once did.
However, thanking never goes out of style. It reminds people that their generosity is noticed and appreciated.
No matter what century you’re in.
Photo credit: Anna Tarazevich @Pexels.com
###Cesie Delve Scheuermann (pronounced “CC Delv Sherman,” yes, really) is a Stewardship Consultant for the OR-ID Annual Conference. She is also a Senior Ministry Strategist with Horizons Stewardship – helping with capital campaigns and encouraging more generosity. For 25 years, while working as a volunteer and part-time consultant, she has helped raise millions of dollars for numerous churches and non-profit organizations. She thinks Emily Post has some competition with William Hanson of The English Manner.
You can reach Cesie at inspiringgenerosity@gmail.com, at CesieScheuermann.com, or at cesieds@horizons.net. Want to schedule a meeting? She’s got you covered!
Schedule a meeting now.
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