Dear friends,
A few weeks ago, our Stewardship Team gathered for our first meeting. Amy Hendrick, Scott Cleveland, Sandy Thompson, Joann Sewell, Nicola Seaholm and I ate gazpacho as we talked about what inspires us to give to Edwards Church. We talked about trust and transparency: we have input into how the church uses our gifts, and we trust one another to care for our resources faithfully. We talked about the ways our church makes a difference in our lives. We shared our gratitude for the opportunities the church gives us to make a difference in our world.
Scott brought up our recent decision to restore the parsonage to be used, in partnership with Jewish Family Service, as housing for a family of refugees from Syria. “Our campus,” he said, “is a place of refuge.” We lifted up other ways we offer refuge: through the Vet Center and our Veterans Yoga, by hosting AA meetings, by creating gardens where people can reconnect with the natural world and experience beauty.
The word “oasis” came up. We began to reflect on ways we experience our church community, as well as our campus, as an oasis. When we are parched by what seems like a desert journey through life, we come here to drink from a deep well of hope. When we feel beaten down by a viciously competitive world, we come here to be with people who support us. We are nourished by music and prayer, by Bible Study and potluck suppers, by worship and coffee hour.
Our conversation led us to the first half of our Stewardship theme: “An Oasis of Hope.”
We knew, though, that our theme was not complete. The word “oasis” stirs images of palm
trees and green grass surrounded by desert, with a sharp delineation between each. Our “Oasis of Hope” is not separate from the world around us; it is not an escape from life. It is not just for ourselves. The well of hope at the heart of this oasis is a gift from God, which has been entrusted to us to benefit all our neighbors. We are called to care for this gift, and we are called to spread the gift of hope beyond our own community. We are called to water the desert, to plant seeds of possibility, to expand the vision of hope beyond our campus.
And so we added a second phrase, to complete our Stewardship theme: “An Oasis of Hope: Expanding the Vision.”
On Sunday, November 4, we will kick off our Stewardship season. In worship, we will hear reflections from Heather Gonzalez. We will celebrate All Saints Day. We will complement our sermon with visual images of oases and hope, and we will share in Holy Communion. Following worship, our Congregational Meeting will include a presentation by the Stewardship Team.
On Sunday, November 11, we will have a special presentation by our children, and we will hear from Frank Carney. There will be more visual images, this time of the ways we offer hope to our world. That week, you will receive a mailing from the Stewardship Team, with information, inspiration and a pledge card.
On Sunday, November 18, we will invite you to bring your pledge card to church and join us in a joyous celebration of Thanksgiving, as we dedicate our pledges.
I hope you will join us in this inspiring and joyful time of gratitude and generosity.
Peace,
Debbie