Stewardship — A Way of Life

(Our guest blogger this week is John Wallgren.)

Over the next couple of weeks we will be focusing on stewardship in our church and on Sunday, November 19th we will have the opportunity to present our financial pledges and gifts to God. While our pledging and the giving of money is important to the mission of the church, it is just one element of Stewardship. Real and complete Stewardship is a “way of life” and is based on the fact that all that we have and all that we are comes from God. We commit ourselves to stewardship as a way of thanking God for all His blessings; returning to Him a portion of the time, talent, and treasure he has given to us.

Looking at each of these three elements of Stewardship:

TIME. Regarding time, each week we choose what will be done with the 168 hours we have available to us. Good stewardship of time means we will share some of that time with God in prayer, praise and thanksgiving, and some time caring for the needs of others. There are many opportunities here at Winnetka Covenant to share the gift of time: being present on Sundays and Wednesday nights, and at bible and book groups as well as special events and many other opportunities to just be present. Spending more of our time in these ways not only will we be blessed, but we will BE a blessing to others!

TALENT. Every person has a flair for something. Good stewardship of talent means we identify our talents and use them to glorify God and to help other people. Opportunities for using the gifts of talentat Winnetka Covenant include: boards & committees; (be open and prayerful when someone from the Nominating Committee contacts you about an opportunity to serve); teaching and workingwith kids; Choir, bells and other music ministries. (You don’t even have to read music. I have been faking it for over 40 years!); also special ministries such as Family Promise and our support of immigrant families—check the bulletin for many other opportunities.

TREASURE. Regarding our giving of treasure, throughout scripture, we are taught to give God our “first fruits” or the “choicest portion”. We might say in modern speech that the first “line item” in the family budget should be returning a portion of our income to God. Both symbolically and in actuality, this is a powerful expression of God’s place in our life.

With the understanding that each of us are in different places in our lives and in our spiritual journeys, we ask you to take some time over the next few weeks to think boldly about how you want to respond to God’s call in your life and in advancing our marvelous ministry. You will receive a letter and a pledge card for the opportunity to consider making your commitment to be presented as an act of worship on Sunday, November 19th.

On behalf of the Stewardship Committee (which consists of Cam Johnson and I) I would like to invite you to participate in the Stewardship ministry by joining us on the committee (we need more committee members) and/or by sharing your stewardship stories with us. Cam and I love stewardship stories so I will end with a stewardship story:

Joan and I taught our kids about tithing by giving a portion of their money tochurch. When our daughter Greta was about eight years old, she wanted to buy a box turtle, but she explained to us that if she gave some of her money to church she wouldn’t have enough to buy the turtle. We talked about it and ourfamily’s ongoing plan to give to church and she sadly agreed. Later that week after she had given her money at church, we were out in the backyard and while on the swing set she noticed something in the grass on the edge of the flower garden—a box turtle. We had never seen a box turtle in our yard or neighborhood.

This was a lesson for our whole family about being blessed not because we expect anything in return for our giving, but the great joy we received by making giving to God a priority.

John Wallgren

Stewardship — A Way of Life

(Our guest blogger this week is John Wallgren.)

Over the next couple of weeks we will be focusing on stewardship in our church and on Sunday, November 19th we will have the opportunity to present our financial pledges and gifts to God. While our pledging and the giving of money is important to the mission of the church, it is just one element of Stewardship. Real and complete Stewardship is a “way of life” and is based on the fact that all that we have and all that we are comes from God. We commit ourselves to stewardship as a way of thanking God for all His blessings; returning to Him a portion of the time, talent, and treasure he has given to us.

Looking at each of these three elements of Stewardship:

TIME. Regarding time, each week we choose what will be done with the 168 hours we have available to us. Good stewardship of time means we will share some of that time with God in prayer, praise and thanksgiving, and some time caring for the needs of others. There are many opportunities here at Winnetka Covenant to share the gift of time: being present on Sundays and Wednesday nights, and at bible and book groups as well as special events and many other opportunities to just be present. Spending more of our time in these ways not only will we be blessed, but we will BE a blessing to others!

TALENT. Every person has a flair for something. Good stewardship of talent means we identify our talents and use them to glorify God and to help other people. Opportunities for using the gifts of talentat Winnetka Covenant include: boards & committees; (be open and prayerful when someone from the Nominating Committee contacts you about an opportunity to serve); teaching and workingwith kids; Choir, bells and other music ministries. (You don’t even have to read music. I have been faking it for over 40 years!); also special ministries such as Family Promise and our support of immigrant families—check the bulletin for many other opportunities.

TREASURE. Regarding our giving of treasure, throughout scripture, we are taught to give God our “first fruits” or the “choicest portion”. We might say in modern speech that the first “line item” in the family budget should be returning a portion of our income to God. Both symbolically and in actuality, this is a powerful expression of God’s place in our life.

With the understanding that each of us are in different places in our lives and in our spiritual journeys, we ask you to take some time over the next few weeks to think boldly about how you want to respond to God’s call in your life and in advancing our marvelous ministry. You will receive a letter and a pledge card for the opportunity to consider making your commitment to be presented as an act of worship on Sunday, November 19th.

On behalf of the Stewardship Committee (which consists of Cam Johnson and I) I would like to invite you to participate in the Stewardship ministry by joining us on the committee (we need more committee members) and/or by sharing your stewardship stories with us. Cam and I love stewardship stories so I will end with a stewardship story:

Joan and I taught our kids about tithing by giving a portion of their money tochurch. When our daughter Greta was about eight years old, she wanted to buy a box turtle, but she explained to us that if she gave some of her money to church she wouldn’t have enough to buy the turtle. We talked about it and ourfamily’s ongoing plan to give to church and she sadly agreed. Later that week after she had given her money at church, we were out in the backyard and while on the swing set she noticed something in the grass on the edge of the flower garden—a box turtle. We had never seen a box turtle in our yard or neighborhood.

This was a lesson for our whole family about being blessed not because we expect anything in return for our giving, but the great joy we received by making giving to God a priority.

John Wallgren

Thanks for Your Thanks

Today’s blog is written by Pastor Jen.

Friends, this is a week overdue (where does the time go?) but I would be upset with myself if I let the opportunity entirely pass me by to say: thank you.

Last week in and after worship, you surrounded us pastors with deep appreciation, encouragement and care. While I know this effort was led by certain individuals (looking at you, Executive Board), it certainly felt like a full-church project throughout the course of that morning. Like everyone was in on it.

Your cards, and gifts, and flowers, and hugs; your kind words and even the goodie bag of leftover treats were all deeply felt and gratefully received.

I have friends and colleagues in ministry who complain that their church doesn’t see them, doesn’t recognize their work, doesn’t appreciate and validate their gifts or their ministry. And I know that is a painful thing, and lament that it is the experience of so many.

But I also have to be honest, and say: that’s not how I have ever felt here. Winnetka is a special place that way, something that my colleagues and I make no secret of: it is a place that cares well for its pastors. We know the alternative, in some cases we have experienced the alternative elsewhere, and so it is with a grateful heart that I continue to come and serve here each day.

This past Sunday, I was reflecting on a moment from very early in my time here at WCC, maybe my first or second week. I was staying with church members, waiting for my apartment lease to start, and after work one day shared this thought with them: “You know how you get to a new workplace, and get to know your colleagues, and figure out who’s filling what role, and what gap exists? What space there is left for you?

Well, the space here seems to be shaped exactly like me. Like the best thing I could do is just be myself.”

And one of those friends – he shall remain nameless – who was on my search committee, looked at me and said: “Duh.”

Then added: “If you try to be anyone else, I’m going to yell at you.”

It was a holy moment, and one I have thought of many times since. Because the truth is: he was right, and his statement has borne out in the last five years. You have let me be not just your pastor, but who I am as a person: utterly obsessed with my dog, in love with baking and reading and camping, a nerd and an introvert and a homebody. You have helped me grow and learn and also embraced me right where I am.

It’s a rare and special thing in a church, and so for all that and more, today I want to be sure to say:

Thank You.