Fellowship Focus
Hope Springs Forth
Nicole Curtis, Director of Fund Development
Throughout the year, we have continued
to celebrate the 90th anniversary of The Upper Room daily devotional guide. I often find myself thinking, Did Francis Craig and her Sunday school class of 100 women ever imagine the reach and breadth of their dream for a daily devotional guide? These women from Travis Park Methodist Episcopal Church in San Antonio, Texas, dreamed and prayed The Upper Room into existence 90 years ago. We are the legacy of their dreams and prayers. It is my joy and privilege to be a living legacy of this dream. Nearly every day, I hear from a donor or a reader of The Upper Room about how the day’s devotional moved them. What I enjoy the most about The Upper Room—where I find the heart of its uniqueness—is that everyday Christians, brothers and sisters around the world, are writing the stories. Every day, no matter if you live in Argentina, the Philippines, South Africa, Norway, or the United States, you are reading the same meditation
and scripture, lifting up the same people in prayer, dwelling on the same prayer focus. It is powerful, it is uniting, it is transformational.
For 90 years, God has used this devotional guide and the ministries birthed from it—Emmaus Ministries, The Academy for Spiritual Formation, Upper Room Books, Chaplains’ Ministry—to touch millions of lives. God will do the same for the next 90 years. Indeed, God will do a new thing through the various ministries as they adapt to the needs of future generations.
“I am about to do a new thing; . . . do you not perceive it?”
This Advent, as we anticipate and reflect on God’s promise of new life, I invite you to read The Upper Room with new eyes. Pray for the writer of the day; pray for his or her country. If you have young children or grandchildren, use it as a fun geography lesson to find out more about the writer’s country or state and its people. And reflect and pray about where you fit into this new thing God is doing through The Upper Room. Do
you feel compelled to write and submit a meditation? Do you feel compelled to support one of our ministries with a financial gift or to increase what you already give? Do you feel called to go on a Walk to Emmaus or to attend an Academy for Spiritual Formation retreat? Do you want to go deeper in your spiritual life through one of our books? There is so much to consider and explore as God does a new thing through the next 90 years of The Upper Room
Dare to dream like Francis Craig and her Sunday school class. The world needs more dreamers, more torchbearers of hope. Humble dreams can beget new life that transforms the world.
“I am about to do a new thing; . . . do you not perceive it?”
Visit UpperRoom.org to find out more about our various ministries and UpperRoom.org/write to submit a meditation for consideration for publication.
“I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth; do you not perceive it?”
ISAIAH 43:19a, NRSVUE
Because of You, Ministry Thrives
From Norway to Nashville, your generosity helps The Upper
Room’s
ministries grow and flourish every day.
Celebration in August. (l-r): Lindsay Gray Editorial Director, Upper Room Editions
Bobbi Kroll, Shirley Wakins, and Rev. Cynthia Engstrom delegates from Travis Park UMC
Rev. Jeff Campbell Interim Publisher of The Upper Room
The Faithful Work of Øystein Brinch
For nearly fifty years, Rev. Øystein Brinch has served as editor and translator of I DAG (Today), the Norwegian edition of The Upper Room. This year marks 75 years since the first Norwegian edition was printed.
Rev. Brinch has translated more than 18,000 devotions, helping connect readers in Norway to a worldwide fellowship of prayer and reflection. Through his faithful work, I DAG continues to offer light, hope, and comfort—from kitchen tables to
prisons and care homes across Norway. As Advent draws near, we give thanks for Rev. Brinch’s faithful witness that reminds us: God’s word transcends borders, languages, and generations.
When you give to the international editions of The Upper Room, you support our translators and editors who make The Upper Room accessible in their own language and country. Their work would not be possible without your generous support.
Happy 90th anniversary to The Upper Room! Thank you!
Journey Deeper with The Academy
Academy #43 began last month, gathering participants from across the country for a two-year journey of prayer, study, and community. In February, the Civil Rights Pilgrimage will take participants through sacred sites of the movement—a transformative experience you are invited to join if space is still available. Looking ahead, Academy #44 begins in 2026 in Alabama, inviting a new community to explore the rhythms of grace together. Applications are open. We invite you to prayerfully consider joining this community.
Visit Academy.UpperRoom.org to apply for the pilgrimage or Two-Year Academy #44, explore other offerings, or listen to the newly revamped Academy podcast.
Thrives
Welcome, Brittany Sky!
We are delighted to welcome Brittany Sky as the new Director of Emmaus Ministries. Family pastor, writer, and curriculum developer, Brittany brings a heart for spiritual formation and a deep commitment to helping others encounter God’s renewing grace.
“My calling has always been to create space for renewal,” Brittany shares, “to walk alongside others in their faith journeys.”
As she begins this new role, Brittany’s first priority is to listen—hearing the stories, dreams, and hopes of the Emmaus community. With compassion and vision, she looks forward to guiding the Walk to Emmaus, Chrysalis, and Face to Face into their next faithful chapter.
As we welcome Brittany, we also give thanks for Rev. Stéphane Brooks, whose faithful leadership guided Emmaus Ministries for many years. Now retired, we wish him Godspeed and every blessing ahead.
5 New—and Old Ways—to Increase Your Impact
as you support the ministries of The Upper Room.
PayPay
You can now give quickly and securely through your PayPal account at checkout.
DAFpay
Also new! If you have a Donor Advised Fund, you can give directly through your DAF at checkout. Just click on the DAFpay option.
Monthly
Giving
Join the Fellowship Circle, our community of monthly donors, and make a steady, reliable impact all year long. UpperRoom.org/fellowship
Planned Giving
Through bequests, IRA’s, Donor Advised Funds, or other forms of planned giving, you can create a legacy that sustains The Upper Room’s ministries for future generations. UpperRoom.org/PlannedGiving
Donor Portal
Empower your giving. Create an account in our secure donor portal to access your giving history, update your information, download tax receipts, or make a new gift. Scan to log on or visit UpperRoom.org/ donorportal. Need a virtual coach to help you open an account? Upper Room Fund Development’s own Ben Crumbley will teach you how, step-by-step, through short tutorials. Visit UpperRoom.org/ donorportalsupportvideos
For more than 65 years, The Upper Room Disciplines has brought together a diverse group of writers who offer fresh reflections on traditional readings from the Revised Common Lectionary Each week, a different Christian thought leader provides seven daily devotions, prayers, and questions for reflection—encouraging deeper study and spiritual growth. A trusted companion for personal devotion, preaching, and teaching.
Disciplines is also available as a digital subscription in both English and Spanish.
Visit Store.UpperRoom.org/ Disciplines for more information and use promo code DISC26 to receive 20% off and free shipping when ordering The Upper Room Disciplines 2026
Merry Christmas
and thank you for shining the light of Christ brightly in 2025!
Donors gave $1,211,194 to support the ministries of The Upper Room this year.
*From November 1, 2024 through October 31, 2025.
Beginning January 1, the cost to support one chaplain for a year will increase from $42 to $48, reflecting higher printing and distribution costs for The Upper Room devotional guide. For $48, you can provide one chaplain with 10 copies per issue of the daily devotional guide to use in ministry. Donors can still give any amount to this vital ministry, which equips military, VA, and prison chaplains to share hope and encouragement with those they serve.
347 Fellowship Circle members collectively gave $120,825 in the past twelve months, averaging $10,069 each month.
Virgin Islands (U.S.) of donations were from first-time donors. 27% of all donations were $100 or less. 95%
To join this monthly giving circle of friends, visit
How Donors Gave in 2025
Donors are from around the world.
Singapore
South Africa
South Korea
United Kingdom
United States
Continue to shine your light brightly in 2026. Scan the QR code to give online.
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.