Stewardship Letter

October 19, 2009
Feast of St. Luke the Evangelist

Dear members and friends of St. Stephen’s,

This past year at St. Stephen’s has been a very exciting one. We have seen great growth and expansion in our congregation. In addition to the many ministries we have been continued doing faithfully, this year also saw the addition of some new things:

+ Our Wednesday night Eucharist has taken off and has become a vital part of many people’s spiritual lives.

+ The Children’s Chapel on Sunday mornings has been a dream realized for many of us who have longed to hear the joyous sound of children during our Sunday morning Eucharist.

+ Our Average Sunday Attendance is up (and is continuing to go up).

+ Our membership at St. Stephen’s continues to grow by the moment, with 12 new members in the past year.

+ After not having had a wedding at St. Stephen’s since 1996, we had 3 weddings in 2009.

+ We celebrated 4 baptisms in 2009.

+ Of course, we have continued our outreach to the wider Church and Community through the various ministries we do here at St. Stephen’s.

As you can see, we have much to be thankful for here at St. Stephen’s.

As we prepare for Pledge Sunday on November 8, take a moment to think and pray a bit about Stewardship. Although most of us associate Stewardship with giving money to the church, it is so much more than that. Stewardship is also a matter of perspective. It is a way for us to take into consideration what we have and, through prayer and reflection, to consider how best to use what we have been given for God’s greater glory and service to one another.

One way to do so is, of course, through the act of tithing from one’s monetary income. Doing so is of course a very important and vital part of stewardship and it helps make
sure that our congregation continues to function in its ministries and basic day-to-day functioning.

In addition, it is a time to consider giving of our time and talent to the church. Each of us are blessed with gifts that, when used in ministry, benefit all of us. Some of us have talents in teaching and guiding children (which would be perfectly suited for our Children’s Chapel). Some of us enjoy sharing Scripture through reading and instruction (a perfect opportunity to serve as a lector, acolyte or worship leader on Sunday mornings or on Wednesday evenings). Others have hands-on talents in dealing with the physical structure of the church building (the church building is always in need of supervision in these areas). Some feel called to serve on altar guild. All of these are important ministries and each should be responded to as a response to ministry.

As we near Pledge Sunday, please do consider tithing from your monetary income, but just as seriously consider serving God and the People of God through the ministry you have been called to do.

On Sunday November 8, please plan on attending 11:00 Eucharist on Pledge Sunday. Also, plan to stay for the lunch following the Eucharist, which will be hosted once again by the Vestry.
As we continue our journey together, let us work together to fulfill the potentials, and look forward in hope and joy at the potentials that await us at St. Stephen’s. I look forward to that journey and I hope you do as well.

-peace,
Fr. Jamie Parsley+