MATTHEW 7:16
You will know them by their fruits…
November is Stewardship Month at University Church. By Pledge Sunday, which is November 19, we are invited to turn in a pledge card (or PLEDGE ONLINE here (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdYm_qdQk5YW4OP76YsjtiJR-r6GpyyaztQ7Iuwr9EvKDr6Ag/viewform) ) affirming how we plan to support University Church time, treasure, and talents in 2024.
This year, the Finance Committee has asked us to meditate on the theme of “You will know them by their fruits” as we prayerfully consider our offerings for the coming year. These verses come from Matthew chapter 7 where Jesus is discussing how to distinguish true prophets from false prophets.
Our Pledges to University Church allow us to participate in bringing to harvest all the good fruit that the church produces. These fruits are seen in our church community as we worship and pray together and express love and fellowship. But these good fruits are also seen in our wider community.
As a part of our application to Illinois Solar for All to put solar panels on the church, we had to obtain letters of support from community partners. These letters brought home the extent of University Church’s impact beyond our congregation.
Letters came pouring in from groups including Chicago Religious Leadership Network on Latin America, South Side Together Organizing for Power, Maroon Tutors, ServSafe, the Blue Gargoyle, Boy Scouts, Restorative Justice Hub, and many others.
We can also see these good fruits in the current work that University Church has taken on in hosting and feeding asylum seekers who continue to arrive in Chicago.
Your Pledge for 2024 will allow University Church to continue to produce all of these good fruits.
