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A “STEWARDSHIP MOMENT” Pat McSherry, November 10, 2013
Notes on Practical and Cheerful Giving First we need to be asked to give to St. James'. Then we need some compelling reasons to give – reasons that resonate personally. Finally, it has to be easy to give. By now the asking has been done by mail and from the pulpit. If you didn't receive your stewardship letter by mail from St. James', please pick up an Intention Card from a table in the Narthex (church entrance), fill it out and put it in the collection plate. Also in the Narthex, you can pick up and read a written copy of Fr. Mark's sermon on Stewardship or watch his sermon on-line. Here are some thoughts on why I give my time, talent and money to St. James'. This is my worship community and spiritual home. I'm grounded here and that gives me the strength to do the work of the church in the community. I feel supported here by you who let me know that I belong to a faith family. Sure I do chores just like I would in any family: I cook, clean and iron here almost every week. But it's the spiritual strength that I discover here that supports my community service that is the most important to me. At this time of year, I know exactly what my income is going to be for the coming year and what extraordinary expenses I might have. I live just below the poverty line set by Statistics Canada for a single person. But my children are raised and educated and capable of raising my grandchildren. My parents are dead and I have no siblings. So my financial needs are small and I can plan what I can give annually to St. James’ and other communities I like to support. I give annually between 10 and 20% of my gross income. Philip Green, St. James' Envelope Secretary, makes it very easy for me to give monthly on my credit card. I never see the money so am not tempted to hold back. I like to support the Coming Home Society, the Street Outreach Initiative, and the St. James' Music Academy. I make those donations with my one monthly donation to St. James' and Philip sends the funds to the appropriate groups. It's so easy! I ask you to plan to give what you can and do it with a loving heart. Thank you.