Rev. Joe McGowan speaks about UCC Campaign
From Rev. Joe McGowan
Here’s the church, here’s the steeple, open the doors and see all the people. This is what the adorable little girl says while moving her fingers to describe how the United Church of Christ includes all people. Then, photos of all the people follow. Thus goes the first UCC commercial which never aired, until now. At last, the denomination is raising funds for this commercial to be aired in the fall when individuals or families might be searching for a new church home. For some, this is the favorite of the three ads which were produced.
When the doors of ACC open what does the world see? Not only do we represent the breadth and diversity of the UCC, I believe the world sees ALL THE PEOPLE engaged in God’s work. An outside observer would glimpse a congregation at worship and prayer from the youngest to the oldest among us, a congregation that has fun together as our outing to the Hollywood Bowl attests, and people who pitch in to help others as evidenced by the mounting stack of school supplies we’re collecting for needy kids to be able to return to school equipped for learning. Someone looking in would see people pulling together to get the property ready for termite tenting as well as almost 100% participation in raising the $26,000 needed for that project. A person discovering us for the first time would discover people who have been here from the beginning almost 70 years ago to those who bring their enthusiasm just after a few Sundays of visiting the church. While ALL THE PEOPLE are hard at work, there is more for us to do!
As we move forward into our future, it will take ALL of us to continue to be the church. It will take ALL of us to help our Ministry Team Leaders provide their various ministries; they need our support to be successful! It will take ALL of us to be evangelists, those who are willing to tell others what Jesus is doing in our lives. It will take ALL of us going out into the communities where we live and let people know who we are as a congregation and why we are different from other churches. It will take ALL of us to promote the use of our building and to put our heads together and figure out the financial solutions to maintaining our facilities.
So, the little girl is right, it takes ALL the people to make the church be the church. That’s what makes this place so exciting for me! What about for you?
- Joe McGowan, Pastor
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