Monday, October 4, 2021
Dear Esperanza Family,
I hope you’ve had the opportunity to start learning about our new program of church planning and growth. Last year, the theme was Hope Starts Here–breaking new ground as we transitioned between pastors and faced the unexpected challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. This year, we’re building on that groundwork with the theme Hope Grows Here–continuing Esperanza’s mission within the Ahwatukee Foothills and outreach beyond its borders.
As I sat down to write this letter, I hoped to find one succinct, consistent, and compelling reason to share why I’ve been a part of the Esperanza community for over 20 years. We have certainly been through a lot together. Shortly after my family moved to Arizona in 2000 with three young girls, the church provided an environment for the kids to make friends, find ways to express themselves in the children’s choir and plays, and begin to learn about doing God’s work in the world. I met the wonderful person who would become my wife at an Esperanza Advent-season progressive dinner, and we were married in its sanctuary a couple of years later. Individually or together, we have participated in the council, the choir, Sunday School, the community garden, Habitat for Humanity, Feed My Starving Children, gatherings, camp-outs, and other service and social events too numerous to list.
Of course, both we and the church itself changed over that time. The kids grew up and moved away from the Valley. Church programs, activities, and even leaders and friends have come and gone. The church has had flourishing periods in which everything seems to be running smoothly, and we have also faced challenging periods. So after struggling to find one simple explanation for my time with Esperanza, I was reminded that bonds in any long-term relationship adapt and evolve in order to remain strong and relevant. When we needed it, Esperanza was there for us primarily as an organization with programs and opportunities. Over time, though, I have come to think of it more as a family–the kind described by this inclusive definition from the Southern Poverty Law Center’s Learning for Justice project: a group of people going through the world together.
Your reasons for being a part of Esperanza may be similar to mine, or they may be different, and they will probably also change over time. No matter why, many of you also feel a calling to support Esperanza and to share it with others. At this time of year, we ask that you prayerfully consider how you might share your time, talents, and treasures with this church body.
The “treasures” part of stewardship is the one we tend to focus on, because we certainly need to “keep the lights on.” But treasure also moves us toward achieving our long-held goals of expanding child and youth ministries and increasing service outreach. These efforts require more than meeting our minimal budget. You may find the enclosed chart helpful for both assessing your current contribution and also planning your future gifts. Consider “stepping-up” your contribution from last year–any increase is impactful, not just those large jumps from one level in the chart to the next.
If possible, please let us know how much you plan to contribute in 2022 via the upcoming pledge cards or online submission at www.myesperanza.org/pledge — it’s hard to overstate how important pledges are to annual planning and budgeting.
To be honest, I used to suspect that the “time and talents” part of the yearly appeal was some hollow words thrown in to soften the “treasures” request. But I’ve come to understand that the non-monetary contributions of the congregation are what really drive and define the spirit of the church. We cannot buy a sense of community with any amount of money. Do you enjoy music, art, organization, writing, finances, gardening, working with children, teaching, or some other skill or activity? Then look for or ask for an opportunity to use your time and talents to define and develop your mission within our church family as we go through the world together!
In Christ,
Chuck Yount, Council President