It’s the final week of our stewardship campaign for the coming year! So far, we have received 26 pledges for for a total of $139,090, which is just over 50% of our goal of $277,000.
If you haven’t pledged yet, please do so by this Sunday (Nov 2). Even if you’re planning to give the same amount, and you have automatic giving set up, it helps to let us know. Thank you!
Also, if your automated giving needs to change, the easiest way to do that is to cancel your current donation, and sign up for a new one (our system isn’t quite sophisticated enough to handle changing amounts, unfortunately). You’re also welcome to give via ACH transfer (which saves us some money in credit card fees). If you’d like to know how to do this, contact us and ask for our Treasurer Ken Racke to reach out.
I’ve said before that what we’re doing in giving to “the church” is really sharing our resources with each other for the common good (since we’re all “the church”). We use the resources you give to pay for that which benefits the whole community and makes our life together work.
Where do we get this idea? From the Scriptures! The Apostle Paul, to be specific. I continue to find his words in 2 Corinthians 8-9 to be some of the most astonishingly radical and practical in the whole Bible about what it means to share in material solidarity with one another in the Body of Christ. I pray these words encourage you as you participate in our community and steward your resources:
A gift is appreciated because of what a person can afford, not because of what that person can’t afford, if it’s apparent that it’s done willingly. It isn’t that we want others to have financial ease and you financial difficulties, but it’s a matter of equality. At the present moment, your surplus can fill their deficit so that in the future their surplus can fill your deficit. In this way there is equality. As it is written, “The one who gathered more didn’t have too much, and the one who gathered less didn’t have too little.”
Everyone should give whatever they have decided in their heart. They shouldn’t give with hesitation or because of pressure. God loves a cheerful giver. God has the power to provide you with more than enough of every kind of grace. That way, you will have everything you need always and in everything to provide more than enough for every kind of good work.
Again, don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions. Check out the Giving FAQ page for a bit about how we think about these things at The Table.
Grace and peace,
Fr. Ben
P.S. Don’t forget to make your pledge by November 2nd (All Saints’ Sunday). It helps us plan realistically for the coming year.
