October 2016
From the Rector’s desk by Rev. Anthony MacWhinnie, II
It’s October, the month fall weather starts, the month that Ghosties and Ghoulies patrol the neighborhoods querying for candy, and the traditional month when stewardship campaigns begin and end all across Christendom. Stewardship… That oft dreaded word. It means so many things to so many people. Often it doesn’t mean what it’s supposed to mean for us. Many times stewardship brings up visions of boring presentations about money in the church, or vague plays on our guilt about how much we tithe to the church, or overused tropes like “time, talent, and treasure” when really we “know” that the treasure is what this month is all about. Let me just say this, I know that you know that this church needs money to pay bills. I also know that you know that the biblical tithe is 10%. You’ve heard it all your life. And you’ve also heard pleas for pledges because it helps us to make actual plans for how we’ll cover the bills during the year. It all makes sense and it’s totally practical and useful information. I also know that most people in the church give what they can. Sure some can give more. Others can’t. Facts are facts and resources are what they are. So, I say, give what you can. Every little bit counts. Really it does. Now, let’s talk about Stewardship. That word doesn’t just mean tithing. It implies taking care of something. Taking care… It implies more than just a job of taking care, but an actual feeling, an emotion, a state of mind that is “care”. Stewardship is a mindset. It’s a way of being that, in our case, means that we care about not just the church, but the world around us. Stewardship is how we live. Stewardship is the Christian way of life. And part of that is inviting people in to
Our Staff & Vestry Rev, Anthony MacWhinnie, II, Rector Vestry: Chuck Barnett - Senior Warden Jim Warner- Junior Warden Beth Woods, Susan Early, Ann Philen & John Velaski Twinette McDonald - Music Director Sally Putters - Parish Nurse
the life of the church. I always say that Jesus Christ is attractive to people. Look at those crowds that followed him around throughout his life. He was attractive, not in a “looks” sort of way, but in a personal sort of way. People wanted to be where he was. And that is what we want to achieve as a church, Jesus’s attractiveness. If we aren’t attractive to people, then we need to figure that out! Fred Woods has graciously taken on the task of coordinating the Stewardship Campaign for this year. He’s got some great ideas! Let’s help him out with doing our part. And on Sunday mornings at 9:00 come join me in the Adult Sunday School as we explore the book of Acts. What did the early church have to say about stewardship? Come and see… Peace, Anthony+
Exploring The Book of Acts Sundays at 9 am