A statement to the parish from Trinity’s Stewardship Chairman on November 11, 2007.
Good morning. My name is Jason Weekley. My wife, Scott, and I have attended Trinity for the last 10 years and we our proud to be part of this church family.
Stewardship Brunch in Irving Hall, November 11, 2007
A few months ago, I accepted an invitation from the Finance Committee and the Vestry to serve as the chairman of this year’s Stewardship Campaign. (Early Service – I’d like to encourage everyone to attend the Stewardship brunch that will be held after this service to pick up your pledge card, enjoy some great food, and learn more about this important effort.) ((Late Service – I hope you attended the Stewardship brunch earlier this morning. If you did, I know you enjoyed the food and fellowship and, hopefully, learned something about the church. If couldn’t attend, please stop by next door to pick up your pledge card and receive some important information about how you can help the church.))
I appreciate this additional opportunity to address the question posed by Fr. Powers: “Why we pledge.” To start, I’d like to thank David Jefferies, Michel Nicrosi, and Mike Turnipseed for their contributions to this effort during the last few Sundays.
For me, the answer to the question “Why do we pledge?” is simple: It’s because we have to. In this sense, when I say “have to”, I mean both as an obligation and as an internal need. What I’ve come to also understand, is that when we pledge our support to others, we get far more in return.
I find it fitting that this Stewardship Sunday falls on Veteran’s Day. As a Veteran of the Iraq War, I watched the recent PBS series on World War II with a great sense of respect and awe. I found it compelling that when asked why they went to war, no-one said “because I was drafted” or “because I was ordered to go”, although that was the case for many. No, most said they went to “serve their country” or to “serve with their brother or their best friend”. They were obligated by their draft notice or their orders, but more importantly, they had a personal need to serve something greater than themselves.
As a Christian and an Episcopalian, we take our “orders”, if you will, from the Bible and the Book of Common Prayer. In the Gospels, we hear Jesus tell us to worship, to care for children, and to serve the least among us. In The Baptismal Covenant, we further pledge to “seek and serve Christ in all persons”. These are examples of the obligations that we, as Christians, are called to meet.
EYC Starship Crew performs an episode for Stewardship Sunday
We also have an internal need to serve others. Sayings like “Give until it feels good” and “You get more than you give” speak to the fact that we receive joy and purpose out of helping others. As Trinity begins its search for a new rector, our pledge of support is more important than ever. The time and talent and treasure that we possess are needed to sustain this great church and to prepare it for new leadership. In this time of transition, we pledge so that faithful worship, Christian learning, and service to the poor will continue in the tradition of Trinity.
