January 13, 2020
Dear Calvary family and friends,
Throughout the month of January, we are receiving the Retired Ministers and Missionaries Offering (RMMO). The theme this year, RMMO – Honoring the Service of God’s Servants, uplifts the generosity, grace and tireless work of retired ministers, missionaries and their widowed spouses and families who have dedicated their lives to serving the body of Christ. RMMO provides a tangible way for American Baptist congregations to say “Thank you” for the commitment, service, and spiritual guidance of retired ministers, missionaries, and their widowed spouses. The offering supports those who have devoted their lives to God’s service by providing emergency assistance in times of need and, for those eligible, an annual “Thank You” check.
Why Give to RMMO? Retired ministers and missionaries often have limited options foradequately planning for the future. Medical problems, moves, or the death of a spouse can cause these leaders to find themselves far from the church family that once supported them. RMMO restores that lifeline and maintains an ongoing connection to the ABC family. RMMO recipients have used their funds:
• to cover medical expenses for hearing aids, dental services and vision care, which are not typically covered by Medicare
• to cover emergency medical procedures or purchase prescription medication not covered by health insurance
• to make emergency home repairs
Calvary, thank you for your generosity in supporting RMMO over the years. Last year, our generous giving helped RMMO send 3,497 “thank you checks” to retired ministers and/or their spouses. Let’s keep the generosity going! Please join me in saying“Thank You” to those who have dedicated their lives to Christian ministry by making a generous financial contribution to the RMMO this January.If we each give what we can – $5, $25, $50, or $500 – we will make a difference in the lives of people who have spent their lives making a difference for us personally, for our American Baptist churches, and for the ministry of Christ in our world.
At Calvary we are blessed to have a great number of retired clergy and/or widowed spouses connected to our church:
Louise Barger (out of state)
Edythe Berglund (spouse)
Delores Bowermaster (spouse)
Myron & Jan Chartier (out of state)
Jim Comstock
Amy & John Derrick(out of state)
Mary Jane Fox (spouse)
Chuck Goertz
Glenn Hill
Mary Hulst
Gordon Kieft
Jim McClements (out of state)
John Pipe
Warren Risch (out of state)
Daniel & Estela Schweissing
*If we have missed your name, or the name of someone you know, please notify the church office so we can update our files.
As we give this year, we also honor the legacies of three retired ABC-USA ministers connected to Calvary who have died in the past year and a half: Le Fox, Al Lustie, and Jo Murrow.
In addition, as we financially support our retired ABC-USA ministers this month, we as a church family are supporting all retired clergyby writing notes of “thanks and encouragement” to them. Drop your notes to one or more of the people listed above in the offering plate Sunday morning at Calvary or mail them to the church office. Your words of gratitude will be a gift for these clergy who enhance our community of faith in countless ways. They bless us; this is our chance to return that blessing.
With gratitude,
Rev. Anne J. Scalfaro, Senior Pastor