Gratitude and Generosity

Current article from " The Gospel at St. David's" Newsletter STEWARDSHIP THOUGHT Stewardship is the way we live our lives. Remember this Advent season how grateful we are for all that God does for us.  Living with that gratitude embedded in our thoughts shapes all we do and shows through in our attitude throughout the day.  When we live that way joy abounds filling our hearts and interactions with others throughout the day.  Advent, his coming, should shine through us so people see the joy because we know the Son.  Live like you know He loves you.  It will transform the world. Shirley & your Stewardship Committee "Mission: Possible" "Evangelism - Strategy & Vision - Strategic Plan Ministry Team:" Erik Evans, Roseann Myers, Suzanne Watson & Rick Kruse. Our mission, "Mission: Possible", is a unique opportunity to help raise St David's to the next level and further leverage that which God calls us to do, i.e., "PWM" - further develop our Program, spread the Word and Multiply. To accomplish this a team of people who are passionate about Evangelism is being gathered. Let's examine this more closely... Evangelism Let's start with the basics. What is Evangelism? The Greek term is "euangelion" (yoo-ahn-GHEL-ee-ohn), which can be roughly translated as "good news." As we share the Good News of God made known to us through Jesus Christ, we are practicing Evangelism. There are many ways to share the hope that is in us. Considering the vast diversity of God's creation, it should not surprise us that God is using multiple mediums to proclaim the Good News and offering encounters with Jesus Christ. This diversity is a blessing, a gift from God. Our challenge is to discern the way that God is already moving in someone's life, and so be able to identify the best way to share the Good News in that situation. It should be a comfort for us to realize that we never engage in Evangelism by ourselves. God is the primary evangelist. We are the instruments, the channels, of God's grace. We plant, another waters, but it is God who gives the growth. Beyond that, we understand the Church to be the Body of Christ in the world today. We are part of an "Evangelism team." We do our part, our faith community does their part, and then we trust the rest to God. Evangelism and Congregational Development will always be dance partners, as both are needed to make disciples of Jesus Christ. And Stewardship, as "money follows mission," is needed to support our practices. However, the primary focus of the Evangelism component is those who are outside the walls of the Church. That is our "target group." As we develop creative strategies for Evangelism, our vision must be cast with an outward focus. Rick Kruse

PowerPoint Presentation: FACTS on Growth 2010 Survey. Presentations by Rick Kruse to the St David’s Vestry. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Click here for May presentation. Click here for July presentation.

Ministry: We demonstrate God’s Love Through Service.” This is the theme your Stewardship Committee has selected for this spring. Our fall theme of “Gratitude & Generosity” was to help us think differently about our giving financially to the church. We wanted you to think about giving to God not out of obligation but in a prayerful way related to how much we have for which to be thankful. This spring, as we focus on the giving of our time and talent, we want you to think and pray about this pledge in terms of “Ministry & Service.” Like our financial pledge, the giving of our time and skills needs to come from a place of gratitude and generosity out of our thankfulness for all that God does for us. Giving of our time is how we express our thankfulness as well. The beauty of giving in service is that the uniqueness of each of us shines through our ministries. We give glory to God through His creation of us as individuals. The individual God created is made to serve each other in very special ways. When I think about those who carefully and consistently prepare the flowers each Sunday to adorn God’s house for the service, and for the nurturing of those in His body who experience God’s presence more through His creation, I see God’s love. When I think about those who lovingly and consistently provide the hospitality of food and drink (the organizers week in and week out, the groups that step up to provide the particular coffee hour and all the special events that are handled), I think that their nurturing service fosters our fellowship with each other. It also creates an environment of welcoming and inclusion, and I see God’s love. When I think about choir members who rehearse every week, no matter how tired, who are so faithful, in order to be the voice of glorious praise to God and to stimulate our own joyous worship, I see God’s love. “Ministry & Service” is how we demonstrate God’s love. This spring, as we focus on our gratefulness for all God gives us each day, let the Spirit speak to you about your ministry.   your ministry.   – Shirley Culver

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Stewardship Seminar held at  Saint David’s Saturday, May 21, 2011