Focusing Our Faith

Friday, April 3, 2020

Greetings, Beloved!

The leadership of Imani MCC has been closely monitoring the news regarding the coronavirus pandemic. We are a small church and our usual numbers at our worship services and other activities are significantly lower than the numbers initially mentioned regarding gatherings to be avoided. For as long as that was the case, we felt comfortable to continue meeting with several safety-conscious changes in our procedures in recent weeks.

However, as things continue to evolve, at this point we believe it to be in the best interests of all concerned to streamline our normal activities for the rest of March while we continue to closely monitor this situation.

We will continue to offer spiritual support on Sundays at 10 a.m. via Facebook LIVE. If you have a particular need for in-person ministry, the church will be open, for about an hour, at that time. However, we look forward to fellowship with the majority of you virtually.

During this period, to avoid unnecessary personal contact, we will not provide our regular hospitality services (i.e., refreshments). We recognize that, for many, the impacts of the current circumstances include the loss or reduction of income. Members and friends who are able are encouraged to submit your tithes and offerings electronically via PayPal: paypal.me/ImaniMCC or Cash App: $ImaniMCCofNC.

Before the end of the month, we will update you with our plans for moving forward into May; based on the information available at that time. Please know that we are in fervent prayer, daily, for each and every one of you.

Grace and Peace Be with You!
Pastor Marilyn Bowens

On Sunday, February 16, the Accountability Committee members kicked off Imani MCC’s Power Pledge Initiative for 2020. The goal of Imani MCC’s 2020 Power Pledge is to challenge the membership and regular attendees to be faithful, committed, and accountable in their giving, i.e. leading the church to give more to better meet the needs of the 2020 Austerity Budget.
 
Giving is an expression of our thankfulness and praise to God. It comes from a heart of worship that recognizes everything we have and give already belongs to the Lord. We all can learn to be a cheerful giver by studying the greatest giver this world has ever known - Jesus Christ.
 
The Committee distributed pledge cards to the congregation for individuals or households to complete over the week of February 17. As you can see from the card below, we are asking our members, regular attendees, and other interested community members to join us to make a commitment for purposeful giving to Imani, MCC indicating as follows:

• Total amount of pledge (for the year)
• Installment plan for completing pledge (weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, and one-time gifts)
• How you best be encouraged and held accountable if you miss a milestone (e.g., a phone call, text, letter)

Many brought their completed cards to the service on Sunday, February 23, 2020. If anyone would like to participate, please contact Yvonne Ricci to coordinate submitting your pledge card. (Yvonne will pick it up from you if needed). Also, if there are others you know that may want to contribute, you can contact Yvonne and she can get them a pledge card. Yvonne’s email is y.ricci@yahoo.com.

We need a few good and Faithful Ones to help make our ministry more effective. Here are some of the openings: