Beloved Siblings,
About two weeks ago, we began our annual season of reflecting on the stewardship of our resources: material, spiritual, energy, time, and much more. And yes, that includes pledging.
As I said during my sermon on October 12, it is not that stewardship only matters once a year. How we care for and how we use the many blessings we have is always important, but just like during the seasons of the liturgical calendar, during this season, we reflect on stewardship especially.
Stewardship isn’t a quid-pro-quo. What underpins our stewardship is not a belief that, in material giving, God will give us more material wealth. Stewardship isn’t transactional. It’s relational. Stewardship is about recognizing that everything comes from God and that God is a gracious and abundant giver and deciding what we will do in response. Stewardship is about living words that will be familiar to many of you: “All things come of thee, O Lord, and of thine own have we given thee.” (1 Chronicles 29:4, KJV; Book of Common Prayer 1928, p. 73.)
So, let’s do it! Let’s reflect on, discuss, and pray about stewardship together. Let’s consider where each of us individually and where we are as a parish family, and discern together how to use our many gifts to strengthen this community in serving God’s mission. And let us give thanks for our many blessings.
Peace,
Michael+
When you are ready to make your 2026 pledge, you may do so here: https://onrealm.org/SaintJohnsChurch/AddPledge/2026