It's important to keep giving to your church

In these times of world trial, there are a few aspects of my normal life remaining constant; my faith, love of my family, going to work every day and U.S. mail delivered daily to my box. Included with the usual garden variety of items in Wednesday’s mail lot was my monthly packet of tithing envelopes from church. My first thought was, “how will churches financially survive this pandemic?”

My church and many other houses of worship have temporarily closed to public services in order to “flatten the curve” of the spreading cornonavirus and to maintain the health of congregations. However, many of these churches and religious organizations continue providing free aid and outreach to our communities amid the crisis. Churches need our monetary assistance now more than ever.

The majority of my family’s regular tithing comes not just from money, but mostly through volunteer service work at our church. My son plays piano and organ and volunteers occasionally to help with the music program at the parish school. He and I both help prepare the church before and after most Saturday masses. Since we can’t physically be present to help at church, we can tithe to ease our church’s financial burdens.

While most of us are unable to gather together in worship each week, we are free to practice our faith through prayer, social media, phone calls or simply reading scripture. Many of you are tuning in to live streaming worship services and programming in order to fulfill your daily and weekly faith needs. Churches that are providing online services and aid to their congregations still have utility bills and other operating expenses with which to contend. Tithing and/or donations will serve as a lifeline to these organizations.

I urge all of you to continue sending in the weekly, monthly or however you do it, normal tithing you would give if you were able to attend regular worship services. Mail in donations or drop them off (keeping a safe distance) at your church or house of worship. Remember, this public health crisis is but a temporary dark spot in the clouds, the sun will come out again.

Romans 5:3-5 “We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces character and character produces hope and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts.”