In the Meantime,

‘Tis the season of giving, right?  And if you think I am about to make a pitch for your 2022 VUU pledge you are wrong. Yes, do make your commitment, but this is a generous congregation in many ways.  I know all of you will support VUU well.  

But speaking of generosity and giving, I have a word of caution that needs to be shared.  A dear member received an email from a former member asking for financial help by buying gift cards which could be emailed.  You have already guessed that the ‘former member’ was not real.  The name was, but someone had purloined the name and email and the person’s information to steal by deceit.  It is an odious practice that the internet has made possible and lucrative.  

Therefore, let me say something in all caps to make sure you remember it:

NEVER SEND GIFT CARDS TO EMAIL REQUESTS!  

Not even if the email is familiar.  Email addresses are stolen every day.  Not even if they know your name.  Personal information is stolen every day.  Any request for such help is a scam.  

NEVER SEND GIFT CARDS TO EMAIL REQUESTS!  

Even if I am the one sending it, even if it is for VUU.  Last year many folks reported getting gift card requests from their ministers to help the church.  They were all scams.  We do not do such things.  It is beyond unethical to do so.  

NEVER SEND GIFT CARDS TO EMAIL REQUESTS!  

DO, give gifts.  DO pledge your support to VUU.  DO keep a generous heart.  Not only at Christmas time but all the time.  Few things are more gratifying than being able to help someone, support an institution, be of service to friends and family.  
But

NEVER SEND GIFT CARDS TO EMAIL REQUESTS!  

FYI, a clerk at the grocery where the member bought the cards warned that this was a scam.  The member then decided to give them to VUU as part of their pledge.  See, I said you were generous.  But remember, 

NEVER SEND GIFT CARDS TO EMAIL REQUESTS!  

Are we clear, then?
– FW