Stewardship Reflection(s)

Glory to God, whose power working in us can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine. Glory to God, from generation to generation, in the Church and in Christ Jesus ,forever and ever. Amen.  

For our final week of our stewardship month, I wanted something a little special. So, I asked three generations of our St. John’s family to give their reflections on stewardship. I pray that you find, as I do, their thoughts inspiring and encouraging.  

Thanks be to God,

CG+            

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David Hildreth:

For me stewardship is about selflessness, and as well generosity thus caring and sharing for what God has given us. It is about breathing in God’s love as we do not only Sunday but each day, to become stewards breathing out fear, anxiety and troubling thoughts. For me as Margaret Morrison in her recent homily said- “God can use me to do something wonderful for the world” and for me that world is St. John the Divine family and personally my own family. Having Melissa and Susan join me conveying stewardship thoughts is so gratifying. I believe stewardship is how each of us live our lives, and thus how we use our gifts, and talents and accordingly spend our resources and our time. God has blessed us to spread his grace and our relationship with God as a result is giving back, our time wherever possible and yes financial as well. I encourage everyone to complete a pledge form, so our Parish Council can plan for St. John’s 2023 events. I am honoured to be a Warden as is Karen and we are your stewards, so openly let each of us know your suggestions and thoughts to benefit our Parish. Edie taught me stewardship is “Joy-Peace-Love” and I ask we all carry those words forward in our 2023 Stewardship goals.

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Susan Johnston:

Greetings.

My name is Susan Johnston. My husband David and I started attending St. John's 32 years ago. At that time we were a young family who had just moved to Squamish.  

In coming to St. John's we quickly experienced a congregation who were actively giving back to their church. We saw people helping with Sunday school and youth group. Women sewing the most beautiful quilts. Baking, crafts and woodworking being made for Christmas bazaars. People being part of church committees, raffles, auctions. There have been many years of outreach with Community Christmas Care and the food bank. The list goes on and is really amazing. I realize now that we were learning about stewardship through these actions.  

Both my husband and I were fortunate to grow up with parents who took our families to church on Sundays. We also saw how they always gave back and were involved (still are) with their churches. I believe that our children, our grandchildren and great grandchildren do watch us. They see what is important to us in life. They observe us in our efforts to help others and volunteer our time and resources. So, just as we learned from our parents, our children can learn what it means to live lives of thoughtful stewardship through us. This is what generational stewardship means to me.

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Melissa Shemko:

Church as a home, the congregation as a welcoming family, and our responsibilities to take care of the community and each other through the Love of God... this is what stewardship means to me. The reminder that we are here to take care of each other. To humbly learn and grow empathetically through the different perspectives we each hold. Seeing the world through the eyes of Jesus... without judgement and with complete acceptance through unconditional love. To take care of the Earth through our actions, daily routines and prayer. Stewardship could be compared to the maintenance it takes to keep a house a home. The shelter from the storm that we all seek is made possible by all of our collective efforts and contributions. Wherever we feel called to help take care... listening to that calling is where our stewardship shines.