… Take a Holy Breath and Sing
Deep Spirituality, Bold Discipleship, Daring Justice…
Dear friends,
As I mentioned in my anniversary letter our theme for this years Anniversary/Stewardship/ Advent communications to you is based on a hymn written by Becca J. R. Lachman, Could It Be That God is Singing? It has a haunting tune that helps to penetrate our hearts and souls. The hymn starts with an important question. "Could it be that God is singing and these notes are my reply to the God-light warm within me, joining earth and sea and sky?" And the answer is an invitation for us to participate in God's beautiful and wonderful musical score that is God's call to us and hope for the world. "Surely mercy has a cadence - I can feel it in my soul! Surely justice builds a chorus, making all God's children whole!"
As many of you know the primary way that I connect with the Holy, especially during Sunday morning worship is through our music program. I am so grateful for our talented music directors and choirs, they help us connect with the sacred and they teach us many things. There is a prayer that I often return to again and again for inspiration. "God of melody, God of harmony, God of dissonance, may our song reflect all the shape of our living; may our song glorify you, and empower our brothers and sisters in faith."
As I live out my faith and my calling to be a disciple of Jesus I am mindful of the sacred moments when I am attuned to the God in the melody, harmony and dissonance. I think that this is why I am so drawn to the closing line in Lachman's hymn, "And if music is God breathing, take a holy breath and sing!" Friends I am so grateful that we are singing together as we respond to God's call to be faithful disciples of Jesus in all that we do and are and that we are intentional about using our time, talents and money to take a holy breath and sing!
Friends, our annual stewardship campaign has allowed us to grow our ministry in changing times. Your commitment to the mission and ministry of Grace is appreciated.
As we look to the future, I am encouraged that Grace sees itself as a place of abundance both spiritually and financially. We have listened carefully to God's call to be the church and we have indeed engaged in deep spirituality, bold discipleship and daring justice as we have taken holy breaths and sung.
As we look to 2026 we are reaching out to the friends of Grace to express our appreciation, to inform you of our plans and invite you participate in our mission through your financial contribution. We have enclosed an infographic so you can see what your donations made happen in 2025.
For our stewardship campaign this year, we are asking the friends of Grace United to give special consideration to the following in making your giving plans for 2026.
1. Enroll in the United Church of Canada Pre-Authorized Remittance Program. PAR is a monthly payment debited from your account on the 20th of each month. PAR has advantages for all of us; you make a regular and managed contribution, and it evens out our income allowing us to manage our resources better. It is low-cost and easy to administer. A PAR enrolment form is enclosed. All that is required is a cheque marked VOID, and some information on how you would like your monthly pledge allocated. Please contact your Envelope Steward, Brenda Picco, if you have any questions. Email: envelopesteward@gracedartmout.ca
2. Make a $100 dollar one time donation to the Grace general fund to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the United Church of Canada.
Thank you for your support.
Yours in Christ's service,
Rev. Stephen Fram