Once again, the calendar has turned and a new year has arrived. Wasn’t it only three weeks ago that we were welcoming 2009? These years go by so quickly!

2010 promises to be an awesome year at Embry Hills, as we build upon the healing we experienced and the momentum and energy we generated in 2009. Thank you for all you do in support of Embry Hills mission and ministry! You are generous servants.

As you know, we are now in the process of conducting our annual financial campaign to underwrite our ministry in 2010. After the sterling finish we had to 2009 and the continued evidence of economic recovery, we hope that we can continue to demonstrate growth in giving. It is no longer feasible for us to bring ministry in line with giving; instead, we have the wonderful opportunity to bring giving in line with ministry and to offer the resources necessary to carry out all that God is calling us to do. Embry Hills offers a remarkable ministry that is making a real difference in people’s lives. One person who recently joined our church remarked that Embry Hills is one of the warmest and most welcoming churches she has ever known!

And, speaking of new members, isn’t it wonderful that so many amazing people joined our church family in 2009, allowing us to show the greatest net increase in membership since 1985! You are doing a fabulous job, and people are responding. Congratulations, and thank you.

I do hope that each of you is presently in prayer about the level of financial support you can offer to Embry Hills in 2010. Our campaign will culminate with Pledge Sunday on Palm Sunday, March 28th. Between now and then, we will have numerous opportunities to worship and to pray and to give thanks for the gift we all have to be part of a church with such a bright witness.

For those of you—and you are many!—who made generous second-mile gifts in 2009, I hope that you can incorporate all of part of your extra gifts into your 2010 giving. Standing as we are on the brink of our 50th anniversary, we have the opportunity to begin writing a new and exciting history for the next fifty years. Your continued generosity will be critical in helping us to move with hope and confidence into our second fifty years.

With a strong tradition and a hopeful future, Embry Hills United Methodist Church embraces its calling to reflect the unconditional love of Jesus in this time and place.