Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ

Participants in the “Simply Enough” discussion and The Ministry of Christian Witness and Service

Are you trying to simplify your life and have less stuff to deal with? Do you ever buy something because it is such a good deal but then realize you don’t really need it? Will you soon receive a check from the government that you are asked to spend to try to stimulate the economy?

Then read this.

A few weeks ago, a group of members was discussing the benefits of simplifying our lives by having less stuff. (This was one of the Sunday 9 a.m. Heart and Soul programs called “Simply Enough” that was organized by the Ministry of Adult Faith Formation.) The group also realized that there are many social forces that encourage us to buy, buy, buy. One current example is the rebate that is scheduled to reach taxpayers beginning this May: the federal government is urging recipients to spend the money on American-made products, hoping to stimulate the U.S. economy. Since this seemed to run counter to a desire to live more simply, the group considered how one might meet a personal goal to not buy more for ourselves but nonetheless help the local economy and help the less fortunate.

They approached the Ministry of Christian Witness and Service for input and support. Here, CWS is excited to share this idea with the whole congregation. For those who do not have to meet needs with the rebate, we urge you to consider contributing to a great local organization that will spend the money locally to help the community. One, Habitat for Humanity of Dane County, is planning two local projects that they hope to begin this year–a new development on Madison’s north side, and a “blitz build” in the Twin Oaks subdivision scheduled for this summer. The second organization is Interfaith Hospitality Network, which currently is conducting their Housing for Hope fund drive to rehab four apartment buildings for low-income housing—two each on the north and south sides of the city. They will include case management services at each location to help the residents succeed.

Therefore we invite all church members for whom it is possible to donate part (or all!) of your tax rebate to a group that will spend it locally to help the less fortunate. If you choose to make your contribution through the church, please write on the memo line of your personal check: “rebate” and the name of the organization you wish to benefit.

Thank you!