Every Perfect Gift I

Dear Friends of Saints James and Andrew,

Every pledge campaign begins with gratitude, and that is how we want to begin our message to you this year. We are inspired by your generosity – by the grand acts that you have accomplished this year, by the single acts of love and kindness, and by the unseen work you have done in service to God and our church community. We cannot say it enough--thank you. 

Our pledge campaign this year focuses on our gifts; not just on the things we wrap with paper and bows, and not the things we put in envelopes or give from our bank accounts, but all of the gifts that we give throughout the year. It is traditional to talk about offering the gifts of time, talent, and treasure, and easy to do so without really focusing on the strength each offers our community.  We are grateful and aware of the ways in which you have given all three, and today we want to focus on your time.

Time, they say, is the greatest gift, because it is a gift that we can’t replace. When we give our treasure or our talent, they come from renewable streams, to some extent. But time, once given, can’t be taken back, reclaimed. This is why we are inspired by the ways that you give of your time to this community. You give generously by being present with the community in worship- whether it be virtual or in-person; by volunteering at our feeding ministries and pantry; by engaging in the important work of creation care, anti-racism, and advocating for God’s dream for this world. Whether these gifts of time are measured in hours spent running a ministry, participating in our programs, volunteering in the community, or in minutes spent on zoom calls, this community is generous with its time!

In this season where we uphold our gifts, we hold you up in light, love, and leadership. Over the coming weeks you will be hearing more about our parishes’ gifts from clergy and lay leaders. Know that each of you is a gift, to each other and to a world in need of our loving, liberating, and life-giving God. 

Yours,

Rev. Heather and Rev. Molly

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