Here at Gilead, we like to joke around.

And we’ve been cute about the "pledge campaign" in the past. Maybe too cute. So cute, in fact, that sometimes people didn't know what was going on.

But this is serious: We’re asking you to give for real. For real stories, real community, real parties, real fun, real butter, real life. It’s a place to bring your real.

We’ve asked Gileadites to tell in worship about “a real Gilead moment.” On Nov 7th Cillian Green shared this:

Normally when I walk into a new church, I come around 10 minutes late, stand in the back, and when the service is over, I count to 10 and if no one has come to say anything to me, I run out the door and it’s their own fucking fault for not getting to know me…

But at Gilead I didn’t get that option. I started my time there by telling a story, and when by the time I counted to 10 and was on my way out the door, both pastors and half the gathered people had come by to talk to me…and I thought ‘Dammit….they won’t let me escape my normal way!!!’

To add to this, when the plague first hit, and I was losing my mind, Vince walked all the way to Albany Park and wandered around my neighborhood and let me yammer on and on like the awkward guy that I am…and I thought…’Ugh…I guess I do belong after all.’

Give for a church that beats the clock.