Together, Love Overflows - yesterday, today and tomorrow
by Debbie Ackerman, Ministry Board
10/12/26
Reflecting on this year's stewardship theme, "Together, Love Overflows; When we pour out what we have, God pours in more than enough", I thought about what that has meant for me over the years I have been a member at St. Paul's UCC. When I joined this church 23 years ago, I was a recent college graduate and new resident of Minnesota. I wasn't sure what the future would hold and where my faith would fit into adulthood.
Together, this congregation decided in 2007 to remain here and strive to renew the church. When my son Luke was born in 2008, we weren't sure if we were going to stay here as there weren't many other young families. I wanted him to be baptized in the congregation that would be there to support him on his faith journey. We took a chance on this congregation and baptized him here and together, we slowly built a community that would have enough teachers for Sunday School, have faith companions, teach Milestones, and finally confirmation for Luke.
Today, my heart overflows with joy hearing the children play together in the sanctuary, seeing the families sitting near one another and supporting one another. I smile as the children come forward for the children's message and then carry the light of God with them to Sunday School. Watching the middle school and high school youth grow in their involvement and leadership in the annual button and baked goods sale at the Artisan Festival and chili cook-off is a joy to witness. Together, we pour into our young people to let them know they are valued and loved in this community of faith.
As secretary on the Ministry Board, I am privileged to be a part of visioning conversations. I see in our worship, music, programming, community, and social justice outreach the abundance that we have as a congregation. We have dedicated members on the ministry board and committees who work to ensure that we pour out our abundance into this community. When we give of our time and talents, as well as our financial resources, our love overflows.
I remember one stewardship campaign season feeling called to increase our pledge for the coming year, this was in the midst of financial uncertainty during a period of unemployment for my husband. I felt in my heart that we could do it, I had started a new job that would bring more financial stability, and we decided to give out of an abundance mindset. After a couple of years of feeling scared of our financial future, that pledge was a turning point to the abundance we have, both in employment and in the community, we share here in this church.
As we make our pledge for 2026, I am filled with hope for the future. I know this community has sustained our family for over 20 years, and is a place where together, we can live out our values and love our neighbors through the abundance of our time, talents and financial gifts.
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