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Fall is upon us, and all of us are
becoming keenly aware of the “C” word: “Commitment.” Children are
returning to school. Parents & families have activities & sports
events. Even adults are re-focusing their lives following a
wonderful summer season. The word “Commitment” is being applied to
many facets of our lives. The New Webster Dictionary defines
commitment as, “A pledge- something undertaken.” Some of us shy away
from this word, feeling it holds a negative connotation: something I
have to do. Most of us, however, view a commitment as a positive
thing, a promise to fulfill and affirm a covenant.
Members of our parish, clergy & staff,
have made a significant commitment to God: our Time, Talent, &
Treasure. As a program-based church, we support a wide range of
ministries for all ages, interests & needs. St. John’s is widely
recognized locally, throughout the diocese, & even nationally, for
our youth programming, community outreach, senior activities, &
healing ministries. Many parishioners have contributed greatly of
their Time & Talents to serve these ministries, acting as true
Stewards of the Faith. We all benefit from their commitment and are
truly grateful for their works.
Time, Talent, & Treasure are the “3 legs
of the stool.” Each leg is a critical commitment component for a
successful program-based church. Treasure is of equal importance in
the success of our ministry. Monies pledged to our church by
parishioners as part of our Stewardship commitment are applied to a
variety of important areas, including church facility expenses,
staff salaries & ministry program funding including outreach. The
Vestry & ministry leaders are committed to being good stewards of
our Treasure, ensuring efficiency & effectiveness in all budgetary
funds.
Planning for the current & future budget
cycles depends greatly on the ability to accurately predict funding
sources & amounts. Pledging monetary gifts to the church provides
the best mechanism to do so. In 2009, 202 families or individuals
pledged funds to the church, a decrease from the nearly 240 pledgers
in 2008. This decrease in pledging has had a significant financial
impact on the ministries of our church.
Stewardship is a spiritual reality that
is just as much a part of our spiritual lives as Bible reading,
prayer, & witnessing. It also brings to life our own church motto,
“Gathering in Love to Serve.” The 2010 Stewardship Campaign’s goal
is to recover the funding loss that occurred in 2009 by increasing
participation in the pledging program. Approximately 300 families or
individuals are members of our parish. We truly thank all who have
shared God’s abundant blessings by pledging. We encourage all
parishioners to prayerfully consider participating in the
Stewardship Campaign to fully fund the ministries & services of
which we are blessed. Giving must be a matter of commitment.
Stewardship is not just a financial decision, it is rather a
commitment to the service of God, a promise to fulfill and an
affirmation of a covenant we share as God’s children.
Martin Luther said, “I have had many
things in my hands and I have lost them all, but whatever I have
placed in God’s hand I still possess.”
Please join with me and all who are
committed to the mission of St. John in the Wilderness. You will
soon be asked to make a financial as well as personal commitment in
support of the future of St. John’s. Now is the time to step forward
in faith toward that future.
In Christ, Randy Johnson, Stewardship
Chair
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