Adopt-a-Month to Support I.D.

Since day-one of Into the Deep's existence, St. Joseph was put in charge of staffing and funds - so we are asking of him (& you!) some specific petitions during this time between his two feasts and letting you know what we need to keep the mission going! 

So many of you have asked how I am doing and I can't thank you enough for the strength of your prayers!  There is much to tell, but I will leave that to my updates on CaringBridge.com.  (Look for an update after March 20 when I will have more specifics!)  However, with my situation in mind, I want to be transparent about the immediate needs behind fueling the mission of Into the Deep.  

I see each group that I speak to and who participates in an I.D. Retreat as an unrepeatable set of people that God has called to go deeper with Him.  It never ceases to amaze me and I am energized to keep doing what I'm doing - so I trust that God will also energize enough people to sustain what He has started and grown here at Into the Deep!  

In January 2022 we hired Mary Conway, who has taken enough off my plate to first eliminate my "third shifts" and later to more consistently scale back on "second shifts". She has skillfully, cheerfully and professionally managed the random combinations of tasks that come with my preparations to both speak in front of groups and to lead outdoor retreats (as well as staying on top of our bookkeeping!). If you have contacted the office this past year, you have encountered a tiny glimpse of the gifts that Mary offers, which free me up to make a gift of myself as a speaker, teacher, and leader.  In fact, Into the Deep would not have survived through my cancer adventure had Mary not been here to sustain all these tasks.  

We now pray that your generosity will keep this position intact and thus keep the mission moving forward.  Though we cannot know the outcome of duking it out with cancer, there is a sense that God is granting confidence about making plans in the future. 

Our fundraiser in March of 2022 gave ID a good running start to cover the large increase in payroll - but as we neared the end of our funds early this winter, we have come up with a creative idea to avoid "volunteering" our hours (aka not getting paid). What if we could have clusters of people who "adopt-a-month" to secure funds for the year-round people-power here at Into the Deep?

In the past, our monthly donations and expenses (rent, phone, website, etc.) have been fairly equal, with annual donations covering larger or sporadic expenses (insurance, graphic design, printing and mailing of marketing materials, etc.).  I am sustained by my speaking stipends while fundraisers have given us a boost to hire summer interns and longer term staff.  

We are placing in St. Joseph's capable hands (and yours) our daunting but exciting need to increase monthly donations by $2500 to cover payroll - and we think that it feels more bite-sized if we both seek "Adopt-a-Month" team members and spontaneous donations that are committed toward a particular month.  

Please join us through both generosity and praying that doors open - but also ask yourself how you can facilitate opening doors. To whom can you introduce us or share the message of our needs?   

See the "HOW IT WORKS" tab to learn how to maximize your participation!

We give thanks for the attentive, intimate care that has been shown to us by Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.  We pray in confidence for our future and know that we pray for you daily here in the office.  

United in prayer, Jen Messing