2012 Stewardship Community

Dear Fellow Parishioners,

As we begin our stewardship season for 2012, it is a time to reflect on all we are thankful for at St. James: our beautiful welcoming church, our dedicated clergy and the wonderful work we do through our lay ministries. But most of all, we are thankful for faithful parishioners like you, joining and supporting our mutual work in Christ's name.

For several weeks beginning on September 18, we will be sharing the Good News of the 19 ministries at St. James. Their stories will be told in the church newsletter, Sunday bulletin and at the Ministries Fair on October 2. We invite you to share with us a vision of St. James that is amazing and exciting!

You will be receiving a letter and pledge card before the end of September. We are inviting you to share the resources God has given you and to do the work to which God has called us all.

We will close the stewardship season on Sunday, November 20 (also The Feast of Christ the King), with a special luncheon and ice cream sundae celebration. We hope you will accept our invitation to journey with us this stewardship season.

Your 2012 Stewardship Committee,

Debbie Kissinger and Eric Song, Co-Chairs
Doris Bowen and Cindy Eaton, Committee Members

The Good News of Time and Talent

The Good News Gazette features ministry communities at St. James:

• Youth Community
• Daughters of the King
• Altar Guild
• Social Ministries
• Pastoral Care
• Men's Organization
• Coffee Hour

About Stewardship

Two Simple Definitions of Stewardship

1) What I do, with all that I am and all that I have, after I say, "I believe."

2) Using the gifts God has given us, to do the work God is calling us to do.

Stewardship includes money...but it doesn't stop there.

So often when we think about giving we do so from an attitude of scarcity:

1. There is only so much time in a week. True, but do you spend less time praying about the best way to spend your time than you do opening the daily mail? Maybe you're overlooking the most important message anyone could ever send you. If we increased the time we spent listening to God we might discover that we are being drawn into a powerful ministry with, and for, others that is better than anything we might have otherwise chosen. Offer more time to God and prepare to be surprised.
2. There is only so much talent in any one of us, what can I do? But think about the great things that can be accomplished by a group of faithful people who are willing to join together in God's name. Your gifts might be the one ingredient missing from the mix. Offer your gifts to God and prepare to be part of something creative and fruitful.
3. There is only so much money. But when the amount you are willing to pull out of your pocket increases and is joined with an increasing amount offered up by hundreds of others suddenly you're talking about real money- enough to run a church and to fuel major missions. Offer more money for God's work and prepare to make the church and Christ's ministries in the world grow.

Practicing Stewardship

• Proportionate Giving
  
• About Tithing
  
• Year Round Stewardship
  
• Planning for the End of Life booklet