Third  in a series of letters to First Parish about this year’s pledge campaign appearing as inserts in the Sunday order of service. This one is from March 1. All are being posted on: firstparish.org/campaign.

Yoo-hoo,

Do you remember when you first realized that you were truly part of our church? When you got that solid, warm feeling in your chest that you were in the right place—that you belonged?

Was it when you huddled with the First Parish crowd writing to our Senators to urge a citizenship pathway for immigrants? When a wide-eyed girl asked you what ‘prophetic’ meant while you were teaching a third-grade RE class? While slicing carrots to make a hearty soup to freeze for a sick or grieving parishioner? When your kids asked to go to Family Game Night? When you learned about the power of forgiveness during a church-wide focus on absolution? When your loneliness ebbed away at a meeting for the flea market? When you knew all the words to the benediction? When you swam with friends at Ferry Beach? Or was it simply the genuine smile of a fellow parishioner when they greeted you by name?

Look around you. We are in this wild and precious life together, quoting poetry, singing songs and trying to be our best selves. Here you can find someone who shares your passions, causes, interests, and appreciates all that you have to offer. This is your spiritual community.

We parade by you this Celebration Sunday morning to remind you. We Banners—lengths of felt lettered with your church life—are just some of the many groups ready to welcome you. You made us, just like you make everything happen at First Parish. We exist because you pledged to support this church financially. Thank you for contributing this year, and every year.

We know you get it—early indications are we’ll raise this year’s $1.4 million budget faster than last year. However, we’re still too reliant on a few big donors. So, as you fill out your pledge card, we’re asking everyone who can to rise to the 520 Challenge. Please consider foregoing something small each week, like a couple of cups of Starbucks coffee, and pledge the extra $10 a week ($520 for the year) to First Parish. Everyone who does will be entered in a raffle!

We appreciate each dollar you give. Every pledge is generous. Thank you!

Love,

The Banners       Celebration Sunday 3.8.20

Photo from Celebration Sunday 2019