The mission of Buckman Bridge Unitarian Universalist Church is to create and nourish a loving community that seeks justice and respect for all. Each one of you, with your commitment of time, energy, and resources, helps to live out this mission in the world. This month BBUUC is conducting our annual Stewardship Drive, in which Members and Friends are invited to make a financial pledge to the congregation for the coming year (you can make a pledge by clicking PLEDGE). Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, millions of Americans have lost jobs or have had their hours and wages cut. For those not able to give a financial pledge at this time, or who need to reduce the amount of your pledge, we are grateful for all the many gifts you contribute to our community. We are in this together.

Back in 2019, I read a book entitled “The Soul of Money: Reclaiming the Wealth of our Inner Resources” by Lynne Twist. In the book, Twist shares that it is possible to have a sense of freedom, joy and peace in one’s relationship with money. She argues that an important part of shifting one’s relationship to money is moving from a scarcity framework towards a sufficiency framework. As I re-read the notes I made about her book several years ago, I wonder how they hold up today in the midst of a global pandemic and economic recession. I am struggling with how her ideas apply at a time when many are struggling with poverty. And, I think it is important that we have conversations about money in our congregation. I share these thoughts as part of an ongoing dialogue where I hope we can learn from listening to one another’s stories and experiences regarding money. As always, I welcome your thoughts!

Lynne Twist explains that living from a sense of scarcity means believing the story that there is not enough for everyone. When it comes to money, the belief of scarcity turns to fear that there won’t be enough for me and my loved ones. It leads to clinging to what I have, and neglecting to share my resources with others. Living from a sense of sufficiency means knowing that there is enough, and we are enough. Twist writes: “Sufficiency is an act of generating, distinguishing, making known to ourselves the power and presence of our existing resources, and our inner resources. Sufficiency is a context we bring forth from within that reminds us that if we look around us and within ourselves, we will find what we need. There is always enough.” Living from an understanding of sufficiency brings greater peace and ease into one’s relationship with money (p. 74).

In a sufficiency framework, one can use money to further one’s highest ideals and commitments. A person can use money to help nourish the seeds of peace, justice and compassion that they wish to see grow in the world. One of the ways you can use money to nourish the causes and organizations that are important to you is by making a pledge to BBUUC.  Making a pledge is a sacred opportunity to support the values of love, justice and peace that you wish to see in the world.  May you know that you are enough, and that together we are enough. May we each offer our gifts of time, energy and resources to help live out the mission of this congregation in the world.