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In four months, on February 8, 2026, we will be celebrating the 60th anniversary of our church. Our Bishop, Leonard Fairley, will be here to lead us in worship that Sunday. It will be an exciting time of looking back at what has been, and looking forward to what will be.       

Sixty years ago, there were those whose hopes and dreams for us became the reality that we are living today. The ministries that shape and form us, and the facilities that support those ministries, are gifts to us because of their vision and dedication to the future. It was their love for this church, their growth as disciples of Jesus, and their giving of their time, talents, gifts, service, and witness that make it possible to be where we are today.

Now it is our turn. It is our turn to support what we love about our church. It is our turn to commit to our own spiritual growth and to helping shape and nurture the spiritual growth of the next generations. It is our turn to dream big dreams for the future. And it is our turn to give extravagantly and generously of our time, our talents, our gifts, our service, and our witness to turn that into reality.

What do we want to happen sixty years from now? How do we want to continue to fulfill our mission of Living Out the Love of Jesus in this community? What we do in our time will determine who Surfside UMC is in a future that many of us will not see, but to which we are committed.

This week you will receive an Estimate of Giving card in the mail. Each of us will have an opportunity to express our gratitude for all that God has done in this place over the past 60 years, and to commit our resources toward securing the foundation for the future. Prayerfully consider how you may be able to give to support the ministries of the church for 2026. No gift is too large or too small if it represents our prayers and a generous portion of our resources. Our estimate of giving calls us to trust God’s provision for all that we will need.

“Everyone should give whatever they have decided in their heart. They shouldn’t give with hesitation or because of pressure. God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:7)
               
Blessings for the journey+
Pastor Mary Teasley