Extending the Table: A Celebration & Invitation to Stewardship
Extending the Table
Part of the adventure of dinner time at the McCain house is looking for a place to sit. We have enough seats for all eight of us, but it can get tricky when we have neighborhood kids or other neighbors joining us. We’re used to getting creative by eating in shifts, finding space on a countertop, or just standing and eating. But no matter what, there’s always more space at the table for our family and friends to enjoy a good meal together. We love to extend the table.
Similarly, in the last two years, as our world and neighbors have endured a really difficult season, I have witnessed our Rez community extending our table for others. When we couldn’t gather in-person, and when we needed more space, we got creative. We held services online or outside. When we returned to indoor services we went to two services to (safely) make room for new folks and families. We opened more kid’s classrooms, recruited more help for service teams, started numerous table groups, made more intentional space for discipleship in our Life Together Course, celebrated two ordinations, and we continue to provide ministry for a growing church family.
Celebrating what God has done
In other words, God has extended the table at Rez for more and more neighbors to find a seat at our family table, and we are blessed because of it. This is worth celebrating. God has been so good to us, Rez, and you have been so faithful. Look at God’s work among us! It brings to mind Ephesians 2:10, “‘For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” May we continue to walk in the good works that God has prepared for us as a community.
While our table has been extended, your support has also remained steady. Rez, thank you for continuing to serve and give sacrificially to provide for our church and empower our shared ministry.
Current Needs and Discerning the FutureGiven this incredible growth in our community and the continued challenges of the pandemic, we find ourselves in a place of need. As we plan for the next year of ministry together, we are discerning what to do with the ministry needs that have outgrown our community’s giving. In some ways, (last time I’ll use this metaphor I promise) our table has been extended and we need more legs to support it. This year, our ministry expenses have outreached our giving by an average of $7,000/mo. Considering how much we’ve grown, it makes sense for our needs to increase as well and for us to reconsider how we can make the most of what God’s given us. For our staff team and vestry, this means a careful consideration of where we can trim expenses and plan for next year’s budget.
Invitation to Pledge
Another key part of planning for next year is our annual pledging, which is a season to discern what our giving will look like in the next year and submit it confidentially. The word “pledge” might sound intense, but by it we mean giving thoughtful intention about what God is inviting you to give as a sort of personal offertory. These commitments also help our staff and vestry plan for ministry in the new year.
Invitation to a Stewardship Season
Here are a few things to look forward to in this season of stewardship:
You’ll hear a couple of sermons on generosity and stewardship
During the announcements you’ll hear highlights from ministries empowered by your giving
Today we’re kicking off a season that calls our whole community to pray, plan, and commit a pledge for giving by November 14th.
We’re hosting an informal financial update meeting over coffee on Sunday, October 31st between services at 10:05 AM.
Compassion for Needs
As a parish, we always want to approach financial needs and giving as an invitation, not with guilt or shame. Especially for those for whom this year has been financially tough, we want to help with that burden, not make it heavier. For the rest of us, I hope you see the chance we have to rise to the challenge and support and strengthen the table that has been extended for so many others at Rez.
Rez family, let’s continue to open ourselves to the work of God in us and through us.
Peace,
Shawn+
