This week, I had a tough job for my church. Why? Because every year ask people to make a pledge for the next year, which allows us to set our budget. Because I want our service to and connection with the community to grow, I would also like our budget to grow, but that means that the people that go to the church have to give more money.

And I'm actually ok with asking for money, because I believe in what we are doing. (My guess is that Paul feels the same way regarding asking for estrip money--his appeal inspired this post).

Here's my problem. Most of the proven methods of getting people to give are counter to our message. They either appeal to pride (Christians shouldn't be too keen on that) or fear (we believe that there's nothing for us to fear). It's all well and good for Paul to give out titles and stars (and I DO want my title!), but the church's message is quite different.

So anyway, we normally kick things off with a letter. Here's my first draft. (there will be a 10 things I love about google docs soon)

It's the kind of letter that normally gets written by Presbyterians Pastors, with a little bit of Drew style thrown in.

But I was almost ready to mail it and it didn't feel right. So I scrapped it and wrote this letter.

More honest, more direct, less about pride and/or fear.

To be honest, I don't know if it will make any difference, but I feel much better about the second effort.

1. It makes stuff grow.

2. It makes football more interesting (less passing, more fumbles, more slips).

3. Playing in mud (it's been a while, but its fun)

4. It keeps whatever I am allergic to down.

5. It's cheaper/easier than a car wash.

6. The arrested development song "rain."

7. My dog will not bug me for a longer walk.

8. Rain helps streams, and I like streams.

9. Rain can cover for me if I accidentally leave the house with bed-head.

10. Estrip tells me that it is raining.

Why the celebration? This post put "10 things" in the tag cloud on the estrip main page. My lack of creativity/tendency to make lists has finally paid off! I am slightly less insignificant now!

1. Most of the time, I leave church in a good mood.

2. The Simpsons.

3. Football.

4. Naps.

5. Sunday Dinners.

6. Phone calls home.

7. Walking outside when the weather is great, like today. Building a fire and/or hunkering down when it is cold.

8. The Sunday newspaper.

9. Brunch

10. Seeing the "early Elmwood" people on the way to church.

Day off, had to buy Pirogies for a dinner tonight, and had a couple of months bottles to return, so I loaded them into the truck and headed to Wegman's.

I decided I deserved a treat, but I wanted to be healthy.

"Wegman's has Sushi I thought!" excitedly.

I went over to the little place and quickly realized that Wegman's made ahead of time sushi is MORE EXPENSIVE than the great, custom made, fresh sushi of Kuni's.

I like Wegman's, but they are way off with their sushi pricing.

1. It's playing scrabble.

2. It's playing multiple games of scrabble at once.

3. It's free.

4. It's at your own pace.

5. You can talk trash as you play.

6. You can check the dictionary and two word lists as you play.

7. I can play with friends near and far.

8. It doesn't involve my wife having simulated affairs or dieing.

9. Good feelings when I log in and see its my turn.

10. I haven't lost a game yet.


If you are on facebook, look for me (my last name is Ludwig) and start a game!