Throughout our life time we are all given opportunities to make differences in our own lives and the lives of others. As humans we do that by our actions, thoughts and sharing our gifts. For non-profits, institutions and organizations we just want to indulge, we vary our giving proportionally to everything by acting from our emotions, likes and dislikes and most of all the need for commitment and obligation. Many feel when churches ask for financial commitment it comes out as being made to feel obligatory, which often carries with it a sense of guilt and forced commitment. For many whom give proportionally based on their financial situations and for those who give from their conscience, the giving is not always felt the same.

 

Each year when the stewardship campaign is raised in newsletters, sermons and pledge cards, people are asked to consider prayerfully how important it is for each of us to give according to all the feelings, emotions, obligations and commitments we may all feel and share.

Well, fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, this dance has been going on since the days St. Paul walked through country side visiting all the new and growing gatherings of people who would be called Christians, and convincing them of their commitments to provide for the church.

The focus and message has not changed. People are asked to participate and everyone makes a decision based on their senses and feelings of belonging, contributing and preparing for the future.

 

Let me tell you how proud and thankful I am of and for all of you who make your decisions to commit and obligate yourselves with your gifts, talents and yes, your money to plan for the future of this great family parish we celebrate as the Church of the Resurrection. You must already know and trust that what you have contributed to this parish has and is going to the life of Christ in our community and within the walls of our beautiful church. I give thanks to our Lord Jesus Christ everyday; for you; for the work being done on your behalf and by you; and for the vision to be for the kingdom of God, greater today than we were yesterday, and planning to be even better in our spiritual and practical service to God tomorrow.

 

May you feel God's gratitude in your commitments to the service asked of us not just in any given stewardship campaign, but in a fashion that does not differentiate from October's - December's yearly campaign, but exists every week of the year. Stewardship truly is a year-long event that inspires us to give to God all that is required; ...your love.

 

May God truly bless you in all your senses that include Love....

                                                                                    

My most sincere thanks, Fr. David +