November 16, 2025
Dear St. Stephen’s family and dear friends,
The “theme” for the 2025 Stewardship
Season is “Sharing What God Has Provided,” and I don’t think
there is a more apt summary of what Stewardship is. Stewardship is more than just pledging from
our talents and our financial resources; it is also about being grateful for
what God has provided to us. At St. Stephen’s, we understand stewardship is our personal
and heartfelt response to God’s boundless generosity. Everything we have—our
time, our talents, our financial resources—is a gift from God, entrusted to us
for the good of the world and the flourishing of God’s creation. Through
stewardship, we reflect our commitment to making God’s love known in real and
tangible ways, especially by serving others through service, inclusion, care,
and compassion.
Hopefully, as you ponder and pray
about all the ways in which God has provided for you, one of things you are
grateful for is our amazing parish of St. Stephen’s. We are a special place! We
are a congregation which strives to make sure that all are fully welcomed,
fully accepted and fully included here.
This year, our goal
for Pledge Time is $120,000. Your pledge is vital to us reaching
that goal so that we can continue to be that special place we have always been.
Your pledge helps us to continue to be a radical, loving and safe place for
all. That is what your pledge
supports—providing a safe community for everyone in uncertain times. The ministries we do and the financial
offerings we offer are essential for us to continue to be who we are. We cannot
be the inclusive, outspoken, accepting congregation we are without your help
and support.
Please fill out and return your pledge package
any time before Gaudete Sunday, December 14 for our ingathering. Or better yet, join us
that Sunday. Gaudete is one of two “rose Sundays” of the liturgical year. On
that Sunday, please plan to come to church, wear something rose-colored and
share your pledge packet as we place them before God’s altar.
More than
anything, please know how grateful I am to be serving as your priest. I am
truly blessed by all that God has provided to me to allow me to continue to
serve a congregation as genuinely loving, caring and committed as you all are.
Thank you for all you continue to give to me.
-peace,
Fr. Jamie+
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