Thoughts on Stewardship

—By Margaret Beacham

Frank and I joined Rome First shortly after we moved to Rome in 2001. Having both grown up attending church, we felt it was important for us and our two young boys to have a church home. Ansel and Austin grew up in the church’s Children’s and Youth Ministries and spent many hours participating in church-sponsored activities. If they weren’t at school or playing soccer, they were probably at a church event.

And they were willing participants — I don’t recall ever forcing them to go to church. Children’s Choir practice may have been the only exception to that. But then Austin went on to play bass in the Praise Band, so he eventually found his musical footing at church.

They had their school friends, their soccer friends, and their church friends from various schools. They enjoyed spending time with each group.

Over the years, when people have commented on the “nice young men we raised, “I, of course, say thank you, and then I give a lot of credit to the church. They spent a lot of time there, and I think it made a difference in how they live their lives today.

Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” That’s one big reason that Frank and I continue to support Rome First today.

We make and fulfill an annual pledge so this church will continue to be here for today’s and future generations of children and youth so they, too, can enjoy and benefit from the same kind of positive experiences that our kids did.

In addition to that, we give because of all the great things that have been done with our gifts over the years for the local community and the world.

Our church has been instrumental in starting up new ministries in Rome/Floyd County, such as Good Neighbor Ministries and the Free Clinic. Every time disaster strikes anywhere in the world, UMCOR (the United Methodist Committee on Relief) is quick to respond with aid.

Most recently, UMCOR has partnered with an agency in Nepal to aid their work of reaching communities impacted by the devastating flash floods.

For all of these reasons and more, we find joy in being regular givers to Rome First.