September 30, 2025 

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Dear Resurrection Family, 

 

God’s grace and peace to you! Here at the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection we receive God’s grace in Jesus Christ in Word and Sacrament and share that grace with one another and the world in many ways. God has richly blessed us this past year with over 20 new members welcomed into our church family on September 21 during Bishop Holcomb’s episcopal visit, growth in our outreach ministries, another amazingly fruitful year for the Resurrection Players, significant property improvements, an increase of roles in the Diocese of Central Florida, and in many other ways. God has been very kind to ECR and you have been very generous—thank you! 

 

By God’s grace we have made great progress financially over the past four years, including balancing our budget while simultaneously making significant progress on retiring our mortgage with the Diocese of Central Florida. We are currently on track to have our mortgage principal balance below $1 million by the end of this year (down from $2.2 million in 2021), and to finish “in the black” again in 2025—way to go! While we have made great strides addressing deferred maintenance of our beautiful property and facilities, as we move ahead in 2026, we will need to increase our property maintenance line item. Therefore, I am asking you please to consider increasing your pledge by 5%, which will enable us to cover these expenses. 

 

God could not be any more generous in his love—“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life” (John 3:16). Jesus taught us how to respond to God’s generosity—“Freely you have received; freely give” (Matthew 10:8). In scripture we are also exhorted to respond individually and cheerfully: “Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7). Moreover, since Jesus taught us to give “in secret” (Matthew 6:2-4), at ECR your pledge amount will only be known to God, yourself, and our amazing financial administrator, Jill Chester. A 2026 pledge card has been mailed. We humbly ask that pledges be submitted by Friday, November 21. You can submit your pledge in person, mail it, pledge via our website (resurrectionlongwood.org), or email your pledge amount directly to Jill Chester (jchester@resurrectionlongwood.org ). THANK YOU for your financial support of ECR—your generosity is a tremendous blessing for all of us. 

 

It remains a joy and privilege to worship and serve with you. As always, lots of love and prayers for you! 

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Grace upon Grace, 

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Dave Johnson 

The Very Rev. Dr. Dave Johnson 

Rector