November 7, 2011
Dear St. Stephen’s friends,
“The fundamental reason for all acts of stewardship—gratitude for the abundance we have been given.”
- Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church
I love that definition of Stewardship and I think it captures our own understanding of Stewardship here at St. Stephen’s.
Certainly, we experencing God’s abundance at St. Stephen’s: Yesterday—All Saints Sunday—we had almost 80 people in church as we welcoming four new members and fellow ministers into our midst and celebrated a baptism. In all, 24 new members joined our congregation in 2011, which as put our membership over 100 members—the first time our membership has reached triple digits since the early 1980s.
So, how do we respond to this abundance?
First, we should take a few moments and reflect on our place at St. Stephen’s. In a congregation that is steadily growing, it might often be hard to find our place. But there are ways we can help and participate in this wonderful growth.
Second, we can (and should) pledge. All Episcopalians are asked to make a financial pledge based upon a percent of their income. This kind of giving is, of course, based on the Scriptural and Episcopal Church standard of what is called the tithe (or ten percent of one’s income). In the Hebrew Scriptures, the practice of tithing was simply a way of returning to God ten percent of all that had been received from God. The early Jews believed that by giving a portion of something away, the remaining part was made holy. This kind of sacrifice was, and is, a very practical way of dedicating all of life to God.
Third, we are faithful stewards by giving of our talents. Each of us has been blessed by God with various talents. These talents are what make us unique. Some of us have a gift for music, others for the physical upkeep of buildings, others for their artistic vision, others for their gift to make things beautiful, others for teaching. Each of us has something special that we can share with others here at St. Stephen’s.
Fourth, we are good stewards by being faithful ministers. Each of us as baptized Christians is called by God to serve—to serve God and to serve others in love. Ministry here at St. Stephen’s takes many forms—liturgically (in the worship service), musically, in outreach and in sharing God’s goodness and love with others in whatever small ways
Finally, we are good stewards in our over-all gratitude. We should give thanks to God and to each other regularly for the graces we have been granted to us as a congregation.
In all these ways, we show our gratitude for the abundance that God has granted to us here at St. Stephen’s. In addition, we also share in the on-going and vital ministry of our congregation.
On Sunday, November 20, the celebration of gratitude will continue. Stewardship Sunday is the time in which we celebrate the exciting ministries at St. Stephen’s and consider how we may show our gratitude for the abundance we have been given.
On Stewardship Sunday November 20, please plan on attending the 11:00 celebration of Holy Eucharist, and please plan to stay for the lunch following the Eucharist, which will be hosted once again by the Vestry.
As we near Stewardship Sunday, please consider tithing from your monetary income. But just as seriously consider the ways in which you serve God and God’s People through the ministry each of us has been called to do here.
Finally, THANK YOU. Thank you to all of you who have worked so hard and so patiently to make St. Stephen’s what it is. I am personally so grateful for each and every one of you as I pray for you by name through the course of the week in my daily prayers. I sometimes almost cannot believe that God has been so good to call me to a place where I can serve alongside a community of people who are committed to God’s love, justice and service to others. Thank you again and again!
-peace,
Fr. Jamie+
