Hello, church,

 

Well, I did it! Remember how someone in church told me that if I got a tattoo, he would make a pledge to EUMC? The photo above is of the tattoo that I now have on my right lower leg. (I have always felt a special affinity with the orca of Puget Sound.) So: if you, too, have been waiting for me to get a tattoo before making your 2013 pledge, it's time to pony up!

 

Actually, we are in the home stretch on the stewardship campaign. We are now roughly only $50,000 short of the $844,000 needed in pledged income to support our ministry for the coming year. Our church's Finance Committee is hard at work to develop a balanced budget to propose for a vote at the Church Council meeting on February 19.

 

Practically speaking, unless we close the remaining gap, we will need to further cut the budget and downsize at least one staff position in the coming year. So this is the last call for pledges before the budget proposal goes to press!

 

If you are able to make or increase a pledge for 2013, please let us know. You can make it via mail, website, or just a telephone call to our Church Administrator, Cheryl Hay, at 425-778-2119. Remember that your financial giving is kept confidential, and that if your circumstances change, you may change your pledge at any time during the year.

 

This Sunday in worship, as I indicated last week, April Frazier is preaching as part of her preparation for ordination in the UMC. It will be a joy to hear from her. The choir will be singing two absolutely beautiful pieces, and we will all share in Holy Communion at the communion rails.

 

When the Seahawks lost the play-off game a few Sundays ago, one of you (who will remain unnamed) said that maybe if more people had come to church that morning and prayed for the team, we might have won! I'm not sure about that, but feel free to offer prayers this Sunday for whoever you are hoping wins the Superbowl.

 

I like to pass on fun and inspirational links that you all send to me. Here are two: watch the dancing and listen to the words of the song in  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pwe-pA6TaZk, which fits well with the "light" themes of this Epiphany season; and check out http://www.wimp.com/peptalk/ which was offered as part of our staff devotions this week. Enjoy!

 

See you Sunday, when I'll be happy to show off my new tattoo in person. (Some of you have already suggested that in the context of last year's Easter sermon, I consider getting another tattoo, of a Snowy Owl. Give me a year to ponder that one.)

 

Blessings to you on this bright winter day,

 

Pastor Kathlyn