Good morning. I am Helen Spence, a member of the Annual Giving Team, and I am here to discuss the spiritual aspect of our giving. (See YouTube version.)
There is a wonderful hymn, often sung at the Feast of Pentecost, and it begins like this: “There’s a sweet, sweet spirit in this place, and I know that it’s the spirit of the Lord.” Do you feel it? The spirit is alive, in each of us. It’s here in this place that my parents have called home for 76 years. This place where I was baptized, confirmed and married; where I was taught – and taught others. This place that I have called home, even during the years I lived elsewhere. And so now I am home, doing a new thing in a very familiar place – this place which began the formation of my spirit.
The work and worship we share here at St. Thomas’s requires our spirit, our time and, yes, our money. Doing a new thing – doing an old thing in a new way – continuing to do the thing God is calling us to do … all of that is what makes our mission and ministry special. Sharing our spirit through our mission and ministry shows the strength of that spirit, not only to each other but to the community around us.
In support of our mission and ministry, we give from what we have been given. We give from the abundance of God’s gifts to us. Today’s readings speak of God’s abundant love, and that is the source of our giving. Opportunities abound if we seek them. I invite you to join me in prayerfully considering where the Spirit is calling you and give of your abundance accordingly. As the hymn finishes “And for these blessings, we lift our hearts in praise. Without a doubt we’ll know that we have been revived when we shall leave this place.”
During October, we are collecting our thoughts, thanksgivings, and prayers for Annual Giving for our reflection. Annual Giving will take financial commitments from each of us. An opportunity before us is examining how much we give and whether we can do more. Please prayerfully determine how to give back that which has been given to you. Won’t you please pledge your gifts using our pledge card and return it by October 30, 2022? Pledges may be left in the box in the church lobby or mailed using the self-addressed, stamped envelope included in the packet you received.
Thank you so much.
Helen Spence, Annual Giving Ministry