February Sample Newsletter 2016
Have you hugged an Episcopalian today? It’s a great slogan. They put it on T shirts and when
someone wears it, they are going to get a hug. Hugs are comforting, encourage community and
the physical contact is something we all need. However, should that be the slogan we use to tell
the world what it means to be a Christian? How about a T shirt that says, “Have you thanked God
today?” The United Thank Offering encourages us all to be thankful because the practice of
thankfulness is vital to our spiritual lives. Imagine what your relationship with your friends and
family would be like if you never thanked them or appreciated their presence in your life.
The season of Lent is upon us. This is a time to reflect on our sin. Many of us will make a sacrifice
of some kind or increase time spent on prayer and meditation. Why not sacrifice 5 minutes each
day during Lent thinking about the things in your life that bring you joy? As you remember, offer
your prayers of thanksgiving to God and make a deposit into your Blue UTO Box. It is all too easy
to forget to thank God or if we do, we say things like, “Thank God for that,” and then we are done.
God is quiet and patient, He doesn’t scold us or remind us to say thank you like we do with our
children. We owe God more than the thank you we give to a stranger who holds a door for us. We
owe Him a thank you from our very heart and soul. We say “All these come from you O Lord,” but
do we live our lives like we mean it?
During this season of Lent, keep your blue UTO box close. Offer your prayers of thanksgiving to
God and then strengthen those prayers by adding something to your box. You can appreciate how
mighty those Blue Boxes can be when you look at the grants list. It is one way you can make a
difference in the world.