Take from amongst you gifts for יהוה; everyone whose heart is so moved or willing shall bring them—gifts for יהוה
This verse is at the start of our portion Vayakhel. It was written millennia ago, yet could be the blue print today of every thriving congregation who understand its health to be predicated on the willingness and desire of its folk to be involved. It is the very best verse.
Rashi explains that everything we do and give is generated by our heart’s impulse. That is why it says here ‘willing heart’. I can think of no better way to describe generosity and intention than a willing heart.
The passage continues with And let all among you who are skilled come and make all that יהוה has commanded.
It’s gifts and skills, time and resources that will make this biblical sanctuary. But we know it also makes contemporary synagogues full of people that care for its present, past and future. In Hebrew, nadiv lev means a generous, a willing heart. It’s the greatest thing about community: having members who care deeply and are invested in the congregation they share. One only had to watch the glorious Purim Spiel to see that in evidence last Shabbat.
I want to remind you how extraordinarily well we have done in raising £1.8 million. We are so close and this next step is being held by many skilled members of FPS, both by those who are able to give so generously and those who are giving their time to organise and encourage us all.
I so hope you will register for this big sponsored walk on 26 April. It is called Walking Home because we will be! At the same time, we will be sharing stories of FPS beginning and history leading us up to today. It is a community-wide event, with the hope that we will ask others in our network to help us. In the email that went out last week, we included short paragraphs to help you put into your own Just Giving page.
Whether you can help materially or not, I still hope your willing heart will bring you to the walk. Share in this community wide event for 1,000, 20,000 or 40,000 steps and anything in between. We are who we are because of generous, willing hearts and because of those who bring their skill, enthusiasm and sweetness into FPS.
Walk as long as you like, join the team, raise funds or just support us on the day.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rebecca
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