1^st Book of Timothy Verses 6:10 New International Version (NIV)

¹⁰ For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

But I’m here to talk about what money can do. For good in the world. Because I have worked for the past 25 years in the non-profit performing arts world I understand that money is a unique and rare resource.

First, let me introduce myself. I’m Julie Gilliland, your Moderator Elect, meaning I’m the understudy for Maureen Walker, and learning from her this year, to take the humbling and a little bit terrifying role of being your Moderator next year. This is a completely volunteer position in the UCC faith and I’m beyond honored to have been asked. I’ve been a member here since 2010 and I’m thankful for every soul at this church, in the office, the pastors who have served, and each and every one of you.

Two weeks ago Pastor Luke asked me if I would write and deliver a message at this service about Stewardship. I was a little nervous about it, not about getting up in front of all these people I love–I like seeing your beautiful and kind faces–but because talking about money is like talking about sex or politics in polite circles. You’re bound to make someone uncomfortable. But talking about things is how we work through them. So let’s get uncomfortable about money, together.

What good can come from money? Well, we can help our neighbors in Medina to those we touch when the Youth Group take a Mission Trip, or when we go to Costa Rica. That all takes money.

Employees of non-profit organizations “forsake” the corporate salaries because we tend to want to feel a different type of enrichment. We are drawn to the mission of what our organizations do. And the way things are set up, we partner with those that have economic resources to get the job done, because it does take money in the end to accomplish any project. I have sat through many, many board meetings at work where someone who doesn’t know my profession in the least–but they’ve been to the theater a few times–thinks they are being very helpful giving me suggestions. Why don’t we have signage at Cleveland Hopkins Airport? Where is our billboard? Why don’t we send people life-size cut outs of the stars of the show? The answer is always MONEY.

Don’t get me wrong, ideas are the destination of where we want to go, but money builds the car and it is the gas. It is almost impossible to start a project at a non-profit without a generous benefactor. That generosity of course also means people’s time, helping spreading the word, bringing in food, introducing us to the person who can make this project take flight, but it can also mean MONEY.

There are many similarities between this church experience and live theater. That’s one of the many reasons I dearly love this sacred space and time every Sunday. Both promote a live experience that takes place at a certain location on a specific date and time. It takes a host of people to make each happen, people we never see or may not even know about. I’m thinking of how fabulous our office staff, Hobby Horse team, Jim, Stacie, Cathy, and everyone in our international offices and corporate up in Cleveland all are. We read from scriptures, they read from scripts. Some of us are up here, and some of us are out here, but it only happens when we come together. Whenever two or more are gathered, right? And it takes all of our talents, interest, and the love of one another to make it happen.

In closing, please consider where you can help feed the funds of the church, and where the church can feed you. Only give money to projects you love! Don’t know about all the awesome programs we do (well, we will tell you all about them!)? Do you love coming to church? Do you love watching the live-stream? Get selfish and pay for what YOU like. Then watch it grow as you share it with others who also love it.

Our fellowship feeds my soul every week and I cannot thank you enough for all the time, talent, treasure, and prayers we all give each another. Thank you for your time and God Bless.