Dictionary.com defines a miracle as, “a surprising and welcome event that is not explicable by natural or scientific laws and is therefore considered to be the work of a divine agency.” I believe miracles still happen. I believe people can be healed beyond the intervention of modern medicine. I believe relationships can be mended beyond what others thought was possible. I believe people can walk away from accidents that seem like a quick death sentence. I believe we are put in the right places at the right time, or something keeps us from being in the wrong place at the wrong time. I believe in God, and therefore, I believe in miracles. And I know you do too.
Sewickley United Methodist church has a history of believing in miracles. In 2020, there was a concerted effort with Pam Honeychurch at the lead to believe and live into the fact miracles can happen when we allow God to work through us. A Miracle Sunday fundraising drive was launched, and through this effort, $63,969.60 was paid toward the Loan Principle used for the Building of Faith Campaign. This campaign renovated the sanctuary so it could continue to be accessible for the growing needs of worship. With $14,094.68 of the Miracle Sunday money committed toward ministries, the question was, how would we use that to continue to build faith beyond the church building. In January 2020, there was a Miracle Sunday Ministry brainstorming session. You can see the results of that session here. As you look through the list, you can see that so many of those items have been cared for and brought to fruition through your continued faithfulness to the work of God. The $14,094.68 has dwindled down over the past couple of years to about $9,000 in order to fulfill those dreams. The ultimate desire, however, was that it would be used to help launch a new and vital ministry in the life of the church.
Through the prayerful discernment of the Education Committee and the Leadership Board, we believe that time has come. The remainder of the Miracle Sunday money will be used to help support a new position. We will be hiring for a Coordinator of Christian Education. We are excited that the money raised will continue to build the faith of so many people through every generation. The Coordinator of Christian Education will come alongside the Education Committee and the Leadership Board and help strengthen our church’s foundation to handle the growing needs of the Education Program. Over the past couple of years, the kids have come, families have participated, young adults and older have looked for opportunities to connect. We have been praying for those not yet with us, and because we believe in miracles, we believe God is working to bring our lives together with many yet unknown. Life and growth is happening. The Holy Spirit is on the move!
We know that $9,000 isn’t going to go very far in hiring for a new position. Consider it more of an investment. It will cover the remainder of 2025 and give us time to raise the funds needed to continue to invest in the building of our Christian Faith. Our goal is to raise $44,000 to cover two years of the Coordinator of Christian Education position and then work it into the budget as a line item. Can we do it? Of course we can! Because God still does miracles, and you are open to allowing God’s Spirit to move through you. Will you join us in prayer as we seek the person God has been preparing for us? Will you join us in action as we raise $44,000 to care for that position? Reach out to myself or any member of the Leadership Board with any questions you might have. We are excited to get on our gloves and get building together!
From one light to another,
Pastor Hannah