-This “Season of Giving”

Many non-profits note an increase in charitable contributions during the month of December.  Some attribute it to a desire to increase charitable giving before the tax year ends.  Others say that in this “season of giving” people’s hearts and minds are more attuned to need.  For whatever the reason, December does seem to be a time when people make additional financial contributions to causes and groups they care about.

This could be true of TJMC, too!  Has something you’ve heard, seen, done, or experienced here in the past year touched you in some way?  Have you been moved, supported, challenged, comforted, perhaps even transformed?  Are you grateful for the role our faith community has in your life?  If so, consider making an additional financial contribution above and beyond your regular pledge.

It’s easy to do, too.  There’re simple links and forms right on our website.  (You can go directly to this page at https://uucharlottesville.org/giving/give-now/#donate.)  If you do any – or a lot – of shopping through Amazon, you can go to http://smile.amazon.com and sign up for their program, designating Thomas Jefferson Memorial Church as the charity you want to support.  Without costing you a dime, Amazon will donate to our congregation 0.05% of the price of your purchases.  (This is just like our scrip program, which increases the number and variety of places that will similarly give a portion of the price of your purchases to our common religious home.  There are folks in the Social Hall after each service who can help you sign up for this, too!)

Following the recent election people have been wondering what they can do to make a difference.  Many of us are making donations to groups and programs that are committed to making a real difference.  (Rev. Wik recently wrote about this on his blog, giving specific examples of groups that need your support.  http://a-ministers-musings.blogspot.com/2016/11/whats-person-to-do-part-1.html)

TJMC is a community that is trying to make a difference in the world – in individual lives, in our local community, and at a national level.  As our mission statement says, “We seek to have a lasting influence on local, national and global programs that promote equity and end oppression.”  That seems like something worth supporting.