Dear Philippians,
Our theme for stewardship this year is "Rooted in Abundance." We just spent six weeks in John's gospel. Abundant life is a prevalent theme throughout John's gospel. I believe that Jesus teaches us that having abundant life in God is a paradox when held up next to the way our culture imagines abundance as material wealth. If Jesus' life, death, and resurrection is the abundant life we are called to share in, we are being called to follow Jesus into self-emptying love that gives back to God all that we are, all that we have, and all that we will become. These are ways that we become rooted in God and God's roots in us grow and flourish abundantly to the glory of God.
Stewardship season kicks off this Sunday with our Ministry Fair. The emphasis this week is giving of our time and talents to the unique witness of Christ made known through the programs and ministries of this parish. This season is one of discerning how you will be more deeply folded into ministry as individuals and as families. This call to give of our time and talents in this place is for all of us, youngest to oldest, to discern. Please browse the ministries and programs included in this newsletter and come with an openness to how God is calling you to rearrange the ways you give of your time and talents, and/or what may need to be folded into your ministry in this place in new ways.
Over the next several weeks we will begin discerning how God is calling us to give of our treasure, the monetary resources we enjoy, in the service of the Parish's ministry. When we asked people in charge of programs and ministries to dream big as they submitted their budget requests in their areas of ministry, it was so that we could create a list of mission-driven enrichments that you all will have before you as you discern how to set your monetary pledge to the Parish. Next week you will receive a list of reasons to give abundantly toward the 2025 budget, in addition to some guidance in regards to percentage increases to existing pledges and goals we have to increase the number of pledges among those who call St. Philip's their spiritual home.
Rooted in the abundance afforded to us through life in God, may we seek to give of ourselves to the glory of God and our shared ministry in this place.
In abundance,
Les+