To the community of St. John the Divine,

Every November we take time to reflect on stewardship.

It is more than just an opportunity to reflect on the money we are giving to the church. I hope that it can be a time for all of us to take a look at all of our stewardship – how we are using everything that we have been given – time, energy, talent, money… in a holistic way, in all the various areas of our lives.

It is an opportunity to reflect on the questions: What is important to me, and do the decisions I am making with all that God has entrusted to me align with that?

It is also a time for joy, gratitude and celebration as we recognize the stewardship that exists and has existed in Squamish for over a century.

So, let me say, thank you. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

Thank you to all of you who give so much of yourselves in so many ways to our common life and ministry at St. John’s. I am deeply moved and inspired by the continued generosity, faith, and love on display in this community. We would not be able to do all of the wonderful things that we do together without this great constellation of care and support.

And now the invitation: with courage, joy and hope, I ask you to join me in prayerfully filling out a pledge form for 2025. Join me in filling out a pledge card so that we can continue to witness to and embody the love of Christ powerfully in this place.  

I continue to give thanks to God and consider it a not-so-minor miracle that we are in our 6th year of full-time ordained ministry. We continue to strive for sustainability, but I believe that it is possible, with God’s help. I truly believe that it is not just pie-in-the-sky fanciful imaginings. Ultimately, I believe that God has done, is doing, and will continue to do amazing things here, with and through us.

So, if you already pledge, I invite you to consider whether you might be able to increase your pledge for 2025, even just a little. If you have never pledged before, can you fill one out this year and become a regular supporter? These seemingly small offerings can make a world of difference.

Because our God is a God whose dream for the world, whose kingdom is like a tiny mustard seed that grows into a great tree and becomes a home for all the birds of the air; it is like the smallest bit of yeast hidden in a whole lot of dough that makes it rise to feed the whole neighbourhood. I pray that our gifts, our offerings, however big or small, will be like mustard seed; I pray that our church will be like yeast, and that though small and seemingly at times insignificant, in the hands of God, can be for the blessing of many, the blessing of the world.

Just look at the blessings, the fruit of our stewardship, of lil’-old-St. John the Divine in Squamish just this last year: baptisms, weddings, funerals, family feasts, tot times, hymn sings at Hilltop House, a theological student, caring for vulnerable neighbours through Christmas Care and the Foodbank, building and fostering community, supporting the arts, visiting, praying, worshipping, singing, learning, growing, laughing, crying and eating, feasting together.

I pray that this stewardship month may be a blessing to you and to all of us who are connected to this little piece of the Beloved Community, the Body of Christ.  

With so much gratitude, joy, hope and love, your brother in Christ,

The Reverend Cameron Gutjahr