Stewardship Campaign

December 4, 2021

Dear St. PJs Community,

In our Advent Study we are looking at our relationship to God’s creation in the midst of the serious environmental challenges we face. It is noted that God’s creation is beyond our imagination. We are reminded that God, as creator, is pretty wild. God was able to create our world-establishing the delicate physics and biology and chemistry and properties we know not of for all God’s children. We are reminded that it is our place to bring people to knowing this side of God. In Advent we celebrate the coming of the Baby Jesus into our world – to save our world. Who but God would come up with such a wild and unlikely plan and then have it succeed?

Sometimes I despair about climate change. The damage seems overwhelming and the ways to repair that damage seem feeble. Someone mentioned though that during the height of the lockdowns the smog disappeared from the big cities, some lakes and beaches regained some clarity, The roadways were empty. Almost as if the entire world stopped to take a breath. It was like a planet born anew. It can be done. Out of the darkness of the pandemic and lockdown a bit of light shone on what still is possible.

But it all depends on our stewardship of God’s creation. It depends on our helping people to see just how amazing God’s creation is. How wild God is. Bringing them to know this God who is intimately entwined in our lives. This is what we are to do as Church. Show by our actions that we care not only for the planet, but for each and every part of God’s creation.

We adorn the outside gardens with flowers and vegetables celebrating the cycle of life to death to life. We open our doors and space to any and all who wish to enter. We exclude no one. We stand for hope, justice and peace. We visit the frail and isolated. We feed those in need. We provide clothing. We bring worship with more than a touch of jazz to the congregation each Sunday. This brings people into our fold. Then it is our responsibility to nurture and teach them the Good News we proclaim and their place as children of God in the world.

St PJ’s is re-imagining ourselves. There were nearly 80 people in the congregation on Harlon’s last Sunday. That shows the light and life we are sending out. A fresh start, built on the backs of our forefathers and foremothers. Our focus is turned to outside our walls. Serving the Community. Becoming a place of safety and hope for our surrounding city.
God’s wildness knows no bounds. So can ours.

To do this we need your gifts. Certainly, gifts of tithes and offerings. Just as important are your gifts of time and talents. Interweaving one another’s gifts and talents in God’s service brings us into a closer, stronger community. A community that can show God’s love to each of us, each we welcome and the community we seek to serve.

There are pledge sheets as you walk in the church. Or you can go online to the Donate button and give through Give Butter.

Blessings,

Lynne Severance