Canvass
Testimonial
Holly
Glassberg
Neil
and I have been members of TJMC for 13 yrs. I came here because I wanted
a place to practice religion, to live in a spiritual way, and to have a
place and a foundation to do that in. I was drawn here because I needed
a different approach to this need as compared with my Lutheran upbringing
and a brief time of personal fundamentalism in my young adulthood.
For
a number of years the church has been my place, my support, my foundation
for religious practice, and a major part of my world. I learned how to
relate to a church community which, despite my years growing up in a church,
I did not know how to do. I drew sustenance from coming to church and being
involved. I experienced a sense of community that I had not had in quite
this way. I wanted to go every Sunday! I also learned that the church needed
me. Over the years I have tried to give back and in turn have experienced
a growing sense of connection with the people and the mission of our church,
The
vital importance of my connection to the church became more clear to me
only this summer with my mother's sudden death. I saw how difficult my
father's grief was without a church community even though he had been the
one to have framed our lives growing up with a church attendance world
view. In contrast to his experience I felt the support of our ministers
and our church community. I drew strength from how we honor those among
us who have passed and support those who are left behind. It was all so
tangible and present for me at our church. This was a wonderful comfort
to me and a lesson in what being part of this church means.
I
have always believed that how I give of my resources reflects my values.
Giving to the church, from the beginning, has been part of my religious
practice. I pledge because I believe in our church and want to give back.
I feel the church needs me to be an active giver and I try to say “yes” regularly.
In so doing, a practice of generosity becomes more deeply rooted and affects
other areas of my life too. When I give to the church I feel my resources
are building the greater good along with others in our community. When
we support each other and work for good in our world, I see the power of
this investment as a force for good that inspires me in every aspect of
my life.
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