The Episcopal Church says, "Stewardship is about being grateful, responsible stewards of the gifts we receive from God.  The Episcopal Church sees stewardship as more than simply contributing money to the church; it's also about contributing time and talents, and volunteering for ministry and mission.  It's about reaching out to build relationships from a perspective of abundance instead of scarcity."

I like to think of stewardship as caring for God's home, because of his unconditional love for us.  Just as we care for our own homes, we think of God's home as needing our love and concern.  We neaten and clean and decorate.  Maybe it's the Tuckers running the vacuum or using the snowblower.  Perhaps it is Pauline Grady, setting up the altar for services.  Or, perhaps it is the Flower Committee making arrangements for the altars for those of you who might give special funds for a special occasion in your lives.

 Think how the decorations enhance our experiences in this space.  The people who   came before us created a building, God's home.  When they built this place in 1927, they installed stained glass windows which had been in the original small mission church on this site.  But, they designed an overall plan and theme for windows which would come over the years as funds became available through gifts.  The very last window was put in place in May 1993 with a gift which Jon and I were fortunate to be able to make at that time.  It was meaningful to us as a continuing legacy to this church community - for those here before us, those of us who are presently here and for those who will come after we are gone.

The images in this window of Fidelitas, meaning loyalty in Latin and which celebrate the ministry of women, speak to the faithfulness of each of us.  Queen Esther was willing to risk death, as she stood up for all Jews, by approaching King Ahasuerus in his inner court.  Ruth, the Moabite, refused to leave Naomi, her mother-in-law, when she returned from Moab to Bethlehem in the land of Judah.  Mary Magdalene went to the tomb, found it empty and wept; but she stayed faithful to her Lord even as she did not recognize him, thinking him to be the gardener.  And the sisters, Martha and Mary:  Martha was distracted by her many tasks and Mary sat faithfully at Jesus' feet, listened to him and anointed his feet with ointment.

 What we each bring to Grace Church, with our time and talent of volunteering and mission and with our monies, both small and large, are the most important gifts we can give to God in thanks for his forever love.  Let us be faithful and loyal stewards!