A Word from Pastor Nathan

Dear Friends:

Wow! You have done it again. Since hearing the news after last week’s service, I’ve been champing at the bit to tell you. But first, here’s a “bit” of history.

Mary and Gary Siwierka have been attending Washington Avenue Christian Church for several months. Mary’s mother, Marie “Toni” Pronesti, joined the Church triumphant on September 12, 2019. Friends and family of Ms. Pronesti made memorial gifts in her name. After many of the funds were distributed, $1,000 remained. Mary inquired if Washington Avenue would be willing to accept the $1,000 as a designated gift for a Christmas present for the Cleveland Christian Home. Our answer, of course, was a resounding yes, but that’s only the start.

After talking with Mary and staff at the Home, we decided to issue a challenge to the church: a $1,000 matching grant. Our hope was to send CCH a check for $2,000.

You did not disappoint! That $1,000 grew exponentially—like fish and loaves —to $3,465. In addition, you contributed $2,420 for this year’s special offering for the Cleveland Christian Home.

I hope you were sitting down when you read that paragraph. Even I incorrectly heard the amount the first time. On Monday, Mary, the Co-Chairs of the Outreach Committee, and I will deliver the check to the Cleveland Christian Home on behalf of the church. Well done, Washington Avenue. I’m so proud of you.

But this isn’t the full story either. You also left numerous Christmas presents in the red -brick home in the entryway for children at CCH. Those presents were delivered earlier this week.

Last night the church board met to discuss and discern the 2020 budget. Of course, how we end 2019 will determine how we begin 2020. At the beginning of this year, we anticipated a total deficit of $15,277. As of this writing, we’ve decreased that deficit to less than $5,000, but we still have the present month remaining. Are you up for one more challenge? Let’s close the deficit gap for 2019 and end the year in the black. We can do it, with God’s help.

I am so proud of you, Washington Avenue. You are a good and faithful people who respond with boundless generosity. I look forward to sharing good news with you at our congregational meeting on January 12, 2020.

Thanks be to God,