Saint Stephen's Launches 2022 Stewardship Campaign: "How Giving Changes our Lives"
Something happens when words leave our lips. When we speak truth, we gain an even deeper sense of that truth. In the eleventh chapter of Mark, the disciples are outside of Jerusalem reflecting on Jesus’s power. They are amazed at what Jesus has just done to a fig tree and so they are seeking his advice. Jesus shares this with his followers: “Have faith in God. Truly I tell you, if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea’, and if you do not doubt in your heart, but believe that what you say will come to pass, it will be done for you” (vv. 22-23). Jesus’s advice is about the power of our words. When we speak our faith, we become even more faithful.
Two months ago, our Stewardship Committee gathered online. We were beginning our planning for the campaign that begins today. We shared stories about how Saint Stephen’s and our faith have shaped our lives. And then we began to share stories about how giving, specifically of our time, talent, and treasure has shaped our own lives. Reflecting on that process later, we all remarked how meaningful it was to share our story. When we spoke about how giving changed our lives and listened to others’ stories, we all felt a deeper understanding of our own capacity to be stewards of all that God has given us. That conversation was deeply important to each of us.
Today, we begin our Stewardship Campaign when we ask all members of our community to make a commitment to support the church financially in 2022. We encourage parishioners to make a pledge commitment before Sunday, October 31 when we will give thanks for the generosity of our congregation. For this year’s campaign, we will host 14 gatherings, either outside or online, at people’s homes, or at the church when small groups can have an opportunity to share a story, to learn another’s story, and to grow together. Each of these gatherings is an opportunity for you to be with your church family in an intimate setting—and for each of us to share how our experiences of God and our giving are part of how we share the love of Jesus.
Each gathering will be limited to a small group of 15, so we are asking you to pick the date and time that works best for you and to sign up here. Our first event is this Monday night, so please sign up quickly. We also will have a table to sign up for gatherings at church the next two Sundays. Every day I give thanks for the many ways that Saint Stephen’s not only shapes my own life, but breathes hope and love into the lives of others and our community. I give thanks for your generosity and our hope is that this time of sharing will enrich your life, help you grow in your faith, and make your giving even more meaningful.
Faithfully,
The Rev. John B. Burruss
Rector