Lord God, make me a true steward of your bounty, where there is a need – let me see it; where there is abundance – let me share it; where there is time – let me spend it; and where there is treasure – let me use it for your glory. Amen.
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My name is Lillian Luksenburg and I’m honored to be speaking to you today as a member of the Vestry and the chair of this year’s stewardship committee.
Today we kick off our annual stewardship campaign. Each Sunday in November, a member of the parish will be speaking to you during the service about their reasons for pledging support to Good Shepherd Episcopal Church.
I wanted to begin by addressing an issue that I’m sure will be on your minds as you consider your own pledges. As you’re all aware, we have had to interrupt our search for a rector. Although we hope and expect that this interrupion will be temporary, in the meantime I’m sure that some of you are feeling the lack of a pastoral figure at the head of the congregation. In fact, reflecting on the name of our congregation, we might be tempted to think of ourselves as a flock without a shepherd. But what is amazing to me is the way we have pulled together, with the aid of our wonderful Deacon Linda, our Vestry and wardens, and all the members who lead the many initiatives that together make up our parish life. After all, our true Shepherd is not a rector but Jesus himself. And He too is not present in the body, but that does not make Him any less real to us. He and the Holy Spirit are the true sources of leadership in our community and we can feel their presence among us not only when we gather for worship but when we contribute to the food drive, meet with Deacon Linda for Bible study, or visit with each other over coffee after services.
The subject of money is very hard to raise in church. I won’t lie to you, I’m very anxious—as I’m sure many of you are—about the influence of money in the upcoming election and the chances that the people with the most money, rather than those with the best ideas for fighting our common problems such as poverty and climate change, will be elected. Too much money can be a curse—it sometimes seems to have the worst effects on those who have the most of it—but in our society, to do good also requires some money. This beautiful building, where we gather for spiritual solace and inspiration, has a mortgage, and needs regular upkeep and occasional repairs. I believe that the building does not make the community; the community makes the building. But the building plays an important part as the place where so many of our meetings—and those of our guest congregations— occur. One of the things your pledges do is to keep the building in good condition so that it can serve that vital function.
Your support is welcomed and appreciated even if you cannot pledge, but having annual pledges helps the Finance Committee in its vital task of planning ahead and balancing expenses with revenue. I’m proud to be able to tell you that all 6 members of the Vestry, plus the Wardens and Deacon Linda, have already pledged their support this year. It may not be evident, but as a member of the Vestry I can tell you also that we, and the Senior Warden in particular, are working hard behind the scenes to secure the financial stability of the congregation so that we can envision paying off our mortgage and calling a rector whom we can compensate appropriately.
I was nine years old when John F. Kennedy was inaugurated and his inaugural address made a big impression on me. I have always remembered the words with which he concluded: “Let us go forth to lead the land we love, asking His blessing and His help, but knowing that here on earth, God’s work must truly be our own.” I’m now 72 years old and have belonged to a number of different congregations over the course of my life. But I had never experienced a sense of truly belonging to a church family until I came to Good Shepherd. I was welcomed at the first service I attended; people introduced themselves and made me feel like I belonged. I’m afraid I’m not good at remembering names: I’m sorry if I’ve offended some of you by calling you the wrong one! But even before I knew your names I felt at home here. I was genuinely surprised after just a few years to be invited to run for the Vestry—I thought, am I already considered such a valuable member of the congregation? But I have realized that in this congregation, every member is valuable. Everyone has something to contribute and everyone is encouraged to do so.
The other thing about Good Shepherd that differs from my previous churches is our involvement with the community. The members here genuinely care about our neighbors and reach out to them in many ways: the food drives, the Giving Tree, the donations to Shepherd’s Table and the Refugee Reponse Team. For all these reasons, I want very much for this congregation to continue to thrive. That is why I pledge and contribute to Good Shepherd. I give to other causes as well, but Good Shepherd is the most important because my connection to you and to God is at the root of my commitment to care for the vulnerable and to work for social justice. I hope you’ll join me in pledging what you can afford, in affirmation of the faith we share and the good work we do together.
The Vestry and Wardens thank you warmly for your past generosity, and in advance for your future support!
