Thank you for your contribution -- remember, all gifts, no matter how big or small are gratefully accepted.
 
The Trustees of West Center Congregational Church

A TIME FOR STEWARDSHIP

Stewardship (by Ana Valentin-Arroyo)

 In 7th grade I read The Diary of Anne Frank. I struggled most to accept that such an atrocity could have happened in the 20th century.
 
Today, so very many years later, here we are- wars, militarized police on Main Streets, acts of terrorism both international and domestic, hate crimes against skin color, religious beliefs, sexual preference. Countless tragedies.
 
Despite the 24-hour news coverage of so much bad news, so much more good news goes unannounced. Like Anne Frank, “In spite of everything, I too still believe that people are really good at heart.” In fact, I hold on dearly to this belief, this hope.
 
This is why we give to West Center Church. We give because we hope. We MUST hope. “Where there's hope, there's life.” (Anne Frank)
 
I hold on to the hope that just as I have lived through the first black president, marriage equality, and female presidential candidates, my daughters, will also experience landmark firsts. Perhaps the first black female president, or universal health care, or the end of endless wars. Maybe even world peace.
 
We give because this is our way, as a family with three young children, to feel like we're doing SOMETHING. Through West Center, we're contributing to something greater. It's how we scatter our little bits of peace with the promise that they will take root, be nurtured, and ultimately bloom into a greater world peace.
 
This sense of peace exists here at West Center. Here is where we connect – to our neighbors, the community, and to God. What we do here reverberates everywhere. From our local fund raisers to our broader collections to help worldwide, West Center is our piece of world peace.

As Anne Frank said, “How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.”
 
Let's all do our part to improve our world by giving to West Center.

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