University Blog

Quite a Year

Posted by Rev. Ben Trammell on

 Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.  And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work.

 2 Corinthians 9:7-8

Friends,

This has been quite a year. 

We set out with the prayer and the plan that this year would be different. As a community we took a hard look at our spending and came up with a way to engage in vital ministry, pay our connectional commitments (also known as apportionments) in full, while reducing our overall spending to a level we believed our community could support. Our prayers have been answered by so many responding and giving abundantly, and our staff and ministry leaders have strategically led us to invest well and wisely.

Due to your faithfulness, this is not a note of desperation, trying ‘to make the budget" – as you can see,  we are well poised to accomplish our goals.  Instead, I write hoping excitement will drive our year end and Christmas giving.  I am asking that if God has blessed you this year, if University has been a blessing in your life and if you believe in what God is doing in our community, that you be courageously generous in investing in the mission and ministry of University.

We have seen God work transformation in hearts, homes and in our community. We have eaten, worshipped, laughed and cried together. We have clarified our vision and mission and we are going to pay our apportionments in full. It has been quite a year. There is much to be thankful for and so much to be excited about in God’s future for us. I am so honored to have shared this year of ministry with you and I am looking forward to the year to come.

For those wishing to make above and beyond gifts, we are directing designated Christmas offerings as well as all loose plate contributions given during the Christmas Eve Services to Lydia Patterson Institute in El Paso. Lydia Patterson, the only Methodist Institution on the border, exists to educate, connect and offer hope to a rising generation of leaders. Visit lpi-elp.org to learn more about the wonderful ministry of La Lydia.

Just like we hoped and planned, this year has been different. Better still, this year is just the beginning.

Thank you for your continued generosity to the mission and ministry of University, and may your Christmas be filled with the joy and power of God’s saving grace.

In Advent Hope,

Pastor Ben

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