Rector's Ramblings: October 22, 2009

From The Rev. Dr. Robert C. Sawyer with input from Darylene Netzer, Parish Administrator 

Most parents remember trying to teach their young child to say "thank you". How often can you remember saying "now, what do you say"?  We want to teach this child that to speak with gratitude is courteous and pleasant.  The instruction to give thanks appears thirty five times in Scripture. As we develop into adults, the harder concept of thankfulness is thanksgiving, a word of action. 

Our stewardship theme this year is "We Love to Tell the Story". We would like to share several "stories" that were "told"  this past week.  When one of our parishioners was contacted and asked if his family could give a little more, the response was "double my pledge and you will have it by the end of the week".  One of our older members, residing in assisted living, called to ask the balance of her pledge for 2009. Upon hearing the balance, she replied "I will send it all this week".  She then added that she had received her "pledge letter" and wanted her pledge for 2010 to be $150.00....a 10% increase! Another powerful story of thankfulness is when one of our young mothers dropped by last week to inquire as to her family's pledge balance. After being given the balance, she was ask if her family could do a little more.  She wrote her check for $500.00 more than the pledge balance and added that they would try to do more before the end of the year.

In his letter to the Colossians, Paul encouraged the church to let the peace of Christ rule in their hearts. I believe that living with a thankful heart is a large part of that process. As your rector, my heart is full of thanksgiving for all those who give so generously of their time, talent and treasures. Their generosity allows us to continue to tell the story at this time, in this place and throughout our community.