Neither Snow, Nor Rain, Nor Heat...

If you’re not familiar with the unofficial motto of the United States Postal Service, here it is: “Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.” This motto is chiseled in stone at the New York Post Office on 8th Avenue and actually comes from Book 8, Paragraph 98, of The Persian Wars by Herodotus. During the wars between the Greeks and Persians (550-449 BC), the Persians operated a system of mounted postal couriers who would not let anything get in the way of delivering a message. These days there are many moving parts and room for delay or error when a letter is sent. CtK has experienced that firsthand.

You may recall our recent “Think Outside” theme. We sent to every home in early October the fall annual appeal intent cards. With ample time, we took them to the USPS to be delivered for your prayerful consideration and response. Locally the system worked just fine. However, for certain zip code where the mail was taken to Green Bay and Milwaukee something went wrong. There were a number of intent cards that got held up along the chain of delivery and arrived 7 weeks later (which puts that into early December)! This is not good, especially when it was for our stewardship appeal.

We have checked in with the local USPS to see what happened. The employee was very understanding and shared how that should never have happened. They are currently investigating where the breakdown occurred.

If you are someone who has received yours and you have returned it, thank you. If you have recently received yours in the mail or haven’t returned one yet? Please, take some time in this Advent season to consider your gift to God and return your intent card. The return of cards has been on a slow pace, but the response we are having has been strong.

I wish you success with your mailed Christmas cards and messages of good news of Jesus birth! I am grateful that God’s timing and delivery is always better than our timing. As we prepare for Christmas worship, travel, and gatherings I pray you will deliver the message that is never too late to share.

Christ’s Christmas Blessings & Peace,

Pastor Nate