the The Newsletter for Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church
October 2014
2
the
Luther Lecture Dr. Larry Rasmussen
Blood Drive
5
Newcomers Luncheon with The Rector Blessing of the Animals Nativity Pageant Auditions
8
Women of Saint Michael Luncheon
15
Family Instructed Eucharist
19 26
Light Masters
Distinguished Lecture Series Scott BaderSaye Fall Festival Trunk or Treat and Chili Cook Off
Volume 25, No. 11 Volume 26, No. 10
As we enter the heart of the “stewardship season” at Saint Michael and All Angels, a central question about our giving is “who hit the light switch and caused us to be givers, rather than just takers?” Each time we express some iteration of that question, I suspect hundreds think briefly of the person(s) who held that distinction in their life. The light masters! A young boy upon entering the Taft School in Connecticut was writing home to his parents. When he came to the paragraph where he described the chapel, he wrote: “The windows are beautiful. They are blue and gold and they have pictures of famous people who were important in God’s time.” It seems to me that the greater truth of this boy’s writing is not so much that the saints he saw in the stained glass were famous; as it is that they were “important in God’s time.” A consistent theme during this season is the hope that every child, teenager, and adult crosses paths with at least one exemplar of giving who hits the light switch and transforms one’s life. In my case it was my parents, who expected us to be tithers, plus. They were supported by our church who gave out pledge cards to children in the fall and mite boxes in the spring. Every stewardship season we were invited to consider our blessings, what we had received from God, and to have an answering, concrete response in giving time and money. cont. on page 19
2015 Stewardship Campaign Launched The 2015 Stewardship Campaign kicked off in October under the leadership of Mary and Rosser Newton. More than 85 parishioners have joined the Stewardship Committee which will be commissioned at the 11:00 worship service in the Church on Sunday, October 5.
Rosser Newton Family In letters sent to parishioners the Rector, Bob Dannals, and the Newton’s said, “Our financial commitment to Saint Michael provides spiritual growth, vision, and strength enabling us to collectively fulfill our Christian mission. With your pledged gifts, the needs of our parish, our community, and the world around us are supported.” The Newton’s emphasized that a major goal of the campaign is to increase the participation level of the entire church’s membership. “No gift is too small,” they said. “Your pledge will make a difference.” Pledge cards, included in the mailings, can be returned with the enclosed envelope, or pledges can be made online at www. saintmichael.org/stewardship-pledge-form/. There are many ways to give to Saint Michael to fulfill a pledge: appreciated stock, insurance policies, or real estate to name a few. If you have questions about your pledge contact Mary Kardell, Director of Giving, at mkardell@ saintmichael.org.