No Way! Ten Years of “Inspiring Generosity”
Well friends, everything I heard about Church of the Resurrection – the United Methodist Church’s largest U.S. church – is true. It’s huge. As the Uber driver drove up to the Leawood, KS location, I burst out in uncontrolled laughing. I had never seen anything quite like it.
Large does not begin to describe COR (that’s how us insiders refer to it – not really but that sounded cool). The building, so well-thought out. A café! A well-stocked bookstore! An indoor playground for kids! The worship center was unreal too. One of the most beautiful stained-glass windows I’ve ever seen. And that’s just the physical building. The mission and outreach ministries of COR are equally impressive. Their hospitality is top-notch.
Like a typical tourist, at every turn I was snapping photos and drinking it all in.
Needless to say, I’m on a “camp high” from my three days in Kansas. As another friend shared, “I was hungry and I didn’t realize I was starving.” Amen to that. I’m sure I’ll be sharing more over the next few weeks, so stay tuned.
Today, however, I want to celebrate.
I’m shaking my head in disbelief that this blog is now ten years old. Good thing that I haven’t aged during that time. Nope, not one bit. I look exactly the same. Thank you, Oil of Olay.
My first two blog posts? Born out of frustration, these still hold true:
Mind Your Manners and say “Thank You” – Part 1
Mind Your Manners and say “Thank You” – Part 2
My favorite blog post? One that I wrote way back in April of 2013 after the passing of my former pastor, Gordon Cosby. At Church of the Saviour, I learned how my material and financial possessions really belong to God, and (shockingly) not to me. It was a hard lesson but I’m so grateful that someone was willing to teach me. God is the Owner, I Am the Ower.
Anniversaries are important.
Taking a moment to reflect on significant times in your life is meaningful:
your wedding day
birthday
Take a breath and reflect and, if appropriate, break out the bubbly (and by "bubbly," I mean Martinelli’s).
The church sometimes gets bogged down in the serious work of the church and forgets to celebrate:
the giving out of 3rd grade Bibles
the founding of your congregation
the ministry of the clergy and
the work of the laity.
Bring out the balloons! Have cake and ice cream! Celebrate whenever you can. Life is short. Party on.
I am so grateful to you, my dear readers, for all the ways you bring joy to my life. Thanks for the probing questions, your willingness to challenge me, and the times you have shared your heartfelt struggles and joys. You have been and are a blessing.
Here’s to being on the journey with you and Inspiring Generosity whenever and wherever we can. See you next week.
Cesie Delve Scheuermann (pronounced “CC Delv Sherman,” yes, really) is a consultant in stewardship, development, and grant writing. For 25 years, while working as a volunteer and part-time consultant, she has helped raise over three million dollars for numerous non-profit organizations. Many thanks to my trusty eagle-eyed editor Linda Grund-Clampit – and when she’s not around – Katie Carpenter. I couldn’t do this without you! You can reach Cesie at inspiringgenerosity@gmail.com or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/inspiringgenerosity or at CesieScheuermann.com.
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