Dear First & Franklin Family, 

I continue to feel incredibly blessed and honored to be your pastor as God leads us into a new season of life and ministry together. 

At this time last year, the Pastor Nominating Committee decided that I would be the candidate they would present to the congregation. I worshiped with you every week from Michigan, and I  was well aware of what was happening here at First & Franklin. I knew that you were at a critical point in your life together. The financial future of this great historic church was a daunting question mark. Rev. Steve Nofel and Alex Mendelsohn kept me informed of the issues the session was wrestling with as they prepared to make some tough decisions regarding the financial health and stability of the congregation. As the fall progressed, members and friends of the congregation were challenged to be “All In” with their giving and their support of the church’s ministry. I was impressed by the weekly “Minutes for Stewardship” offered by various congregation members. As reports of the pledges were shared with me, I was encouraged and even more excited about the possibility of serving as your new minister. Indeed, this congregation was willing to be “All In!”

On Sunday, October 13, Alex Mendelsohn, chair of our Finance Committee, shared the following news. 

From a financial perspective, we are currently on track to end the fiscal year within $2,000 of what was budgeted. This does not mean that we have reduced the draw on our endowment to a sustainable level, but it does mean that we are within the bounds of the unsustainable draw that we will need to budget around for the next several years. This unsustainable draw is much less than in previous years, and that is another bright spot. We have also called and installed a new pastor and brought a Director of Children’s Christian Education on board after Deborah McCrimmon retired. Our many ministries continue to thrive—from the arts to the food pantry, from hosting outside groups on our campus to serving in South Dakota.

As we approach this year’s stewardship campaign, we encourage all our members and friends to “Take the Next Step.” Included with this letter is a step chart showing our average weekly giving over the past year.  Please note that 26 people are not currently supporting the work of the church financially. 26 are giving between $0.01 and $9.99 a week. That’s a little over half of our giving!  As you consider your pledge for 2025, regardless of where you may have historically stood on the table, we encourage you to take the next step and move up one step in your giving from where you are right now. Or, if possible, consider taking two or more steps. 

Our goal for pledged giving in 2025 is $200,000. Please take some time to prayerfully consider your commitment to First & Franklin in the coming year. Then, bring your completed pledge card to worship with you on Sunday, November 17, when we will present and dedicate our commitments. After worship, we will enjoy our annual Stewardship Celebration Luncheon in Reid Chapel. If you cannot attend on November 17, please return your pledge card to the church office as soon as possible. If you would like to pledge online, please visit www.firstfranklin.org/pledge. 

I can’t think of a better way to close than by sharing again from Alex’s Minute for Stewardship on October 13: 

I recently came across a quote by St. Francis of Assisi, who, besides being an animal lover, had a keen sense of life and working with people. He said, “Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” We have already taken a first; we’ve been doing what is necessary. Next, we will step into what is possible. And then, soon, we will be stepping toward what we might, today, see as the impossible!”

I am beyond grateful to each person who makes the ministry of First & Franklin possible not only through your financial stewardship but also by your faithful and generous sharing of your time and talents. I eagerly anticipate the year ahead as we take the next step(s) together in ministry. 

If you choose to pledge online, please use the form below. If you would like a paper form, you can get one from an usher at church on Sunday. If you have any questions or concerns about pledging, please reach out to our Finance & Stewardship Chair, Alex Mendelsohn, at finance@firstfranklin.org. We request that all pledges are received if possible by the end of December 2023, but will continue to accept new pledges through January 2024.