Fellowship Focus
Forced Rest
Nicole Curtis, Director of Development
I’m the first to admit that I often don’t practice what I preach. At The Upper Room, we talk a lot about the importance of rest as a spiritual discipline. But how often do I actually practice it? If I’m honest, hardly at all.
Recently, I was forced to rest. Covid hit my family, canceling our spring break plans and sending us into isolation. When it was my turn to isolate, I decided I wouldn’t “soldier on” and try to work or be what we usually call productive. Instead, I chose to take care of my body. To my surprise, those days were some of the most restorative I’ve had in years. I read, watched old TV shows, slept, and let others care for me. As the primary
caretaker in my family, receiving care felt like a gift.
Jesus himself modeled a lifestyle that valued the rhythm of rest. Throughout the Gospels, he withdrew from the crowds to pray, to listen, and to be renewed in the presence of God. And he promised us this gift of rest as well:
“Come to me, all you who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”
MATTHEW 11:28 (NRSVUE)
Who among us isn’t weary at times or who doesn’t carry heavy burdens?
During this Easter season and beyond, I’m intentionally trying to carve out more space for rest.
Through the ministries you support, The Upper Room extends this gift of rest to people around the world—offering daily moments of prayer, reflection, and renewal. Thank you for helping make this possible. And perhaps the invitation is for you as well—to pause, breathe, and receive the rest Christ offers you.
Because of you, 2025 was amazing!
11,943 DONORS 23,265 GIFTS
$1,752,540 TOTAL
Every gift makes a difference, and we are so grateful for your support in nurturing spiritual lives around the world. Thank you for being part of this meaningful work!
For more detail, including a breakdown of individual funds, please read the 2025 Annual Donor Report. Available online and through email late April/ early May.
Your Generosity Leads to Impact
A Small Increase, A Lasting Impact
Due to the increase in cost to print and distribute The Upper Room daily devotional guide, it now costs $48 to support one chaplain for a year instead of $42. For $48, you can provide one chaplain with 10 copies per issue of the devotional guide to use in ministry. It may cost a little bit more, but the impact is still great. Thank you for your continual support of this ministry.
Transforming Lives and Working for Reconciliation Through The Academy Chaplains’ Ministry
This February, 32 pilgrims journeyed together through Civil Rights landmarks and museums, reflecting on our shared Christian call to justice and reconciliation. Along the way, they listened for, learned from, and honored the sacred stories of struggle and survival shared by local Alabama community leaders engaged in the ongoing work of racial reconciliation. The 2026 Civil Rights Pilgrimage invited participants to renew and deepen their commitment to God’s kingdom work in our world.
In November, Two-Year Academy #43 launched with 49 participants. Just a few months in, members of the cohort are already cultivating rhythms of contemplative living and creating spaces of courageous community, where growth and grace are taking root.
Looking ahead, Two-Year Academy #44 begins October 26, 2026, in Nauvoo, Alabama. You can find out more and apply at UpperRoom.org/Academy
The transformative work of The Academy is made possible through generous donors like you. Together, we are cultivating communities that listen for God’s voice, follow Christ’s way of love, and embody justice and reconciliation in the world.
Growing Emmaus Across the Globe
In October, 53 Emmaus leaders from across Asia—Hong Kong, West Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, South Korea, Sarawak, and the Philippines—gathered in New Taipei for the Asia Leadership Development Event (LDE).
The LDE equips and encourages leaders as they nurture Emmaus communities in their local contexts. Throughout the week, participants shared in multilingual worship, leadership training, and conversations focused on building relationships, sponsoring new pilgrims, and strengthening ecumenical partnerships. These dedicated leaders are deeply committed to renewing Christian disciples and strengthening the church across their region. Because of your faithful support, Emmaus continues to grow as a vibrant, international movement of grace and transformation.
Academy photos by Joscie Cutchens
Impact Worldwide
Bridging Communities Through Korea’s New Edition
A new bilingual edition of The Upper Room is opening a pathway of ministry among migrant communities in South Korea. Beginning with the March–April 2026 issue, the Christian Literature Society of Korea (CLSK) launched a Korean–Thai edition of the devotional guide, with an initial print run of 1,000 copies.
Funded through gifts from local churches and partner organizations, these copies will be shared free of charge with Thai migrant workers and their families, many of whom experience isolation while living far from home. Bo-hyun Kim, the President of the Christian Literature Society of Korea, shares that the bilingual edition is intended to help migrants learn Korean and feel less alone while nurturing a shared spiritual life where migrants and Korean Christians are deeply connected. It is also hoped that the edition will help second-generation Thais learn their mother tongue.
Planned Giving
This initiative grows from CLSK’s Korean–English edition of The Upper Room, which is self-sustaining but relied on donor support when it began 20 years ago—a reminder that gifts to the international editions today can nurture sustainable ministries and expand impact tomorrow. If you would like to learn more about this initiative or give directly to it, please email Dongwon Jang, Section Chief of the CLSK Editorial Department, at upperroom@clsk.org.
L to R: Bong-un Kim, missionary, and Bo-hyun Kim, president of CLSK
24 Prayer Practices for Kids and the Adults Who Love Them
Many friends of The Upper Room choose to include the ministry in their longterm financial plans, ensuring the sustainability and growth of our ministries for generations to come.
There are many ways to make planned gifts, but these are the most-common forms that The Upper Room can receive.
• Donor Advised Funds (DAFs)
• IRAs (as a QCD or beneficiary)
• Gifts of Stocks and Other Marketable Securities
• Bequests
• Trusts (as a beneficiary)
• Life Insurance Policies and Annuities (as a beneficiary)
• Charitable Remainder Trust
• Charitable Lead Trust
If you have included The Upper Room in your planned giving or if you are thinking about doing so, we are deeply grateful. If you want to find out more, please visit UpperRoom.org/plannedgiving or email us at plannedgiving@UpperRoom.org.
As always with long-term financial planning, please consult your financial advisor, attorney, or estate planner to explore what’s best for you.
Discover a new vocabulary for talking to kids about prayer. In this new resource for parents, grandparents, pastors, CE directors, Sunday school teachers, and youth ministers, seminary professor and pastor Roger Owens teams up with his 15-year-old daughter Mary Clare to offer a heartfelt guide for helping kids grow in authentic relationship with God. Includes conversation starters and two dozen creative prayer practices in six categories to explore with kids.
Save 20% on your copy with the promo code FOCUS at Store.UpperRoom.org/focus.
Join The Upper Room’s Fellowship Circle,
a dedicated community empowering our ministries through monthly giving. Designate your gift and ignite change. Visit UpperRoom.org/fellowship or email us at Fellowship@UpperRoom.org.
Access Your Giving History
Manage every part of your philanthropic journey with ease through our donor portal. Log in to update your information, review your contribution history, download tax receipts, and adjust recurring donations—all in one place. Log in with your donor email or activate your account today! Scan QR code to log in or visit UpperRoom.org/donorportal
Need a virtual coach to help you open an account?
Every gift leads to impact. Scan this QR code to make an online gift.
Ben Crumbley from The Upper Room Development Team will teach you how, step-by-step, through short tutorials. Visit UpperRoom.org/donorportalsupportvideos
Help shape how we serve you.
Your voice matters to us. Please take a few minutes (about 5) to complete our short survey and to share your experience with The Upper Room by May 31.
UpperRoom.org/yourvoice
The Upper Room covers all its ministry expenses from product sales, participants’ fees, interest income, and the generous support of donors. We do not receive any apportionment funds from The United Methodist Church or any other group. Donations are needed to help sustain and expand the reach of our ministries so others may experience God more fully.
gift matters. Give today at UpperRoom.org/donate. Give today!