Read this week’s newsletter, The Weekly Liberal, here.

In this week’s issue, Rev. Justin writes:

Miracles and matching money are on my mind.

First: Miracles.

And when I use the word “miracle,” I’m not talking a divine being doing something that defies natural or scientific law. Instead, I’m referring to a welcome or surprising event, something we didn’t know was going to happen, that ends up being a gift or a blessing in our lives.

I truly believe that “miracles” of this nature happen every Sunday at church, and every time we gather as a community. Again and again, on Sunday mornings, or in Circles, I witness some gesture of kindness, a word of encouragement, or a willingness to linger after the sermon or Circle has ended. Every Sunday (and during the rest of the week, too), dozens of miracles happen. The sermon speaks to your life. The prayer opens a door in your heart that had been closed. The music takes you from despair to hope.

The miracles are here on Sundays, in simple and surprising ways, regardless of what the music is, or who is preaching, or the topic of the sermon.

Do you have a story of a “miracle” that happened to you at church? I’d love to hear it! Email me at justin@firstuniv.org.

Second: Matching Money – of $20,000.

As you have probably heard, we have a financial gap between what we’ve budgeted for annual gifts and what’s actually come in. This Sunday, Feb. 18, we’re holding a special “Close the Gap” offering, trying to raise $30,000. Thanks to a generous donor, we have a matching “Close the Gap” gift of $20,000, so every dollar given (up to $20,000) will be matched! This matching gift feels like a “miracle” of sorts, an unexpected blessing that will help us end the year strong without a deficit. I invite you to give as you are able, grateful that we are in this together, giving, receiving, and growing in the Universalist Spirit of Love and Hope.

I’ll see you in church,
Justin

P.S. You can give online, here. Or make a gift right from your smart phone. Text firstuniv to the number 73256 and make a gift in under thirty seconds. Thank you!