Slideshow image

We are planning to celebration our Consecration Sunday on November 23rd Sunday. Starting from Nov 9th, our wardens will share some thoughts and information on our shared life; what we do, what we need, and what we hope as a parish community.

As we enter our stewardship campaign, I wanted to offer some thoughts to invite you to think about what this parish means to you.

Traditionally, this is the season when parishioners are encouraged to make an annual pledge for the coming year so that the parish can plan its mission and ministry ahead.

On the surface, it helps the parish plan and create a budget for running the parish and offer programs for the upcoming year. On a deeper level, it is also about much more. It is an opportunity to recognize the abundant gifts God has given us, and devote ourselves with gratitude to nurturing and multiplying those gifts.

Then what are the gifts we celebrate here?

Certainly, the gift of community stands out. Our parish has been actively serving those who come seeking for comforts, peace, fellowship, and spiritual nourishments. Also, we have been steadfast in reaching out to others. So as much as we are grateful for the gift of community, we also acknowledge our responsibility to keep this body of Christ fully alive and grow.

Would that be the only gift here we are talking about as for our stewardship?

I would like to mention that we ourselves are also gifts from God. Each one of us, in our uniqueness, is a gift from God. Whether you are here every week or occasionally, whether you serve in visible roles or offer quiet support, we bring ourselves to form one body, rich in diversity and strong in unity.

As we understand our stewardship as recognizing the gifts we received and cherishing and caring for them, we need to see both our community and each individual as gifts. And it is not one way or the other. It is not the community grows upon the “sacrifice” of members’ time and efforts. Our community and each member of community grow together. Our community nourish each members and individual participation and contribution make our community flourish.

As we begin stewardship campaign for the next year, I invite you to reflect prayerfully: What you envision for our parish and for yourself as the member? What is your dream? What do you want to see? Let us listen for the Spirit’s guidance, that together we may discover how best to serve, to give, and to grow.

Fr. James