On November 19th, the adult members of our congregation will come forward with their annual pledges for WCUC, supporting all our missions and ministries and effectively forming our budget for 2018.  This year, the Sunday School teachers decided to teach our children a bit about the process of congregational giving and Stewardship, starting with conversations about what it costs to run a church.  Does it cost anything?  Does Pastor Hannah get paid?  What about the Sunday School teachers?  Who pays for the lights and the heat?  Where does our Sunday School curriculum come from?  The children were quite sure that it does cost money to operate WCUC, but probably only “$800, or maybe $850.”  When asked where the money comes from to pay for these things, the children had to think.  After a bit, they offered their ideas:

“The money comes from God.  Hannah gets paid from God.”

“I think the town pays for the church.”

“Maybe it’s the bank?”

“Maybe it’s the town and the bank together.”

“I think God has the money and Jesus delivers it somehow.”

Finally, one child wondered, “is it the grownups? The people in the church?”  We then discussed how the grownups in the congregation decide how much to give (it’s not like a membership or a bill) and what role God does play in the whole giving process.  We wondered how we could participate in Congregational Giving Sunday as well, as all of the children want to support our church, and we came up with the idea of a handmade card and scarf sale!  For the past two weeks, our children have been working hard cutting and tying scarves and decorating Thank You, Birthday, and Get Well cards that will be displayed for sale after worship on November 12th.  All proceeds from our special sale will go right back to WCUC – literally!  On November 19th, our children will visit the worship service as all the adults are offering their pledges and gifts for 2018, and our Sunday School children will offer our monetary gift too!  Please come to North Hall on November 12th to help support our children in their learning journey about Stewardship and giving.  Plus, I guarantee you’ll leave with some adorable cards and scarves!

In Peace,

Jessica