Stewardship - October 2009
Laurie Jamieson on behalf of the Stewardship Committee
Oddly enough, living near the ocean has given me a great awareness of trees… On a stormy night, I can hear the wind howling off the ocean and through the branches of the old black locust trees near my house. As I listen, I am afraid. I fear that the trees will reach a point where they cannot withstand the battering winds and will uproot themselves in a great gust and cause destruction to person and possession. I pray that the trees will not weaken and give into the forces of nature, but will reach their roots down deeper into the soil and hold tight. I imagine a mythical struggle between the roots of the trees hidden from my sight reaching down and the great branches reaching up to the sky as if to challenge the wind. As if in response to my concern, I hear the branches and leaves sing loudly over the sound of the wind and imagine that it is for my benefit…a triumphant song to comfort me and convince me that there is no battle, that the tree has no intention of letting go and will in fact reach even higher with all of its strength ….
Rooted in God
In many ways, I think that St. Paul Lutheran Church is like the tree outside my window. Its roots reach deeply into a storied past and hold tightly to God. No passing storm can weaken its resolve. We are rooted in God and in those who have come before. Yet like the locust trees, our tree’s strength comes not only from its roots, but from the many branches reaching towards heaven. Lower branches lead to upper branches and upper branches lead to leaves, flowers and seeds. While the roots hold tight, the branches grow upward providing protection and creating new life. Faced with a storm, the branches and leaves join together to sing in triumph giving comfort to those around…We are the branches, the leaves and the flowers.
You are probably asking yourself what the story of a singing tree on a stormy night has to do with stewardship.
“Incline your ear, and come to me; listen, so that you may live.” Isaiah 55:3
One of Bishop Payne’s themes for the church is to “Listen deeply.” To find comfort in the face of a strong wind, I needed to listen to the trees outside my window and what they were telling me about having faith. Isaiah tells us that in order to live, we must listen. So, in order for the stewardship committee to begin its efforts, we need to listen. As a change this year, rather than asking a few outgoing members to share personal temple “talks,” I am asking each of you for a temple “listen.” I am including with this letter a paper leaf. Please take the leaf and write down a description of how it has felt to be a part of the church, how your experiences within the congregation have moved you or enable you to sustain the forces of nature or any other positive experience you have had as part of our congregation. You can include your name or make your leaf anonymous. You and your family (including any children) can make additional leaves. There will be a collection box in church for your leaves or you can mail them to St. Paul Lutheran Church c/o “Leaf Collection”. Leaves should be submitted as soon as possible and before Sunday, November 15th. As part of the stewardship campaign, your leaves will be displayed and made a part of our campaign…over the coming weeks…our tree’s “song”…
“Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches.” Revelation 2:29
Finally, because this letter accompanies your quarterly statement, I ask you to consider Bishop Payne’s other themes when you review the enclosed and as you enter the new stewardship campaign and “Pray unceasingly” and “Give extravagantly” … your prayers, gifts and talents are greatly appreciated!