From the Senior Warden Can it be only a year ago that we were counting the days till Phil and family arrived? In September we celebrate Phil’s first anniversary with us, and what a year it has been! With his unbelievable hard work, teaching, guidance and sense of humor, what we have accomplished seems nothing short of amazing. I am immensely grateful for the presence of Phil, Sandra, Rachel and Ethel among us. And very soon we welcome Alan, Jessica and Parker Gates to our faith family—how wonderfully God has blessed us! Recently the Stewardship Team met with Phil and the Wardens, and the discussion turned to the Fall ingathering of our time, talent and treasure, otherwise known as the Pledge campaign. While acknowledging the wonders God’s grace has wrought in the past year, we naturally looked to the future. Living the life of the Spirit in each moment is not incompatible with using the brains and hearts God gave us to discern the next step. Phil often prays that God’s grace will help us become the people God envisions us to be. We need that individually and corporately. We need to be receptive to the picture God has of us as a faith community—believing, praying, sharing fellowship, breaking bread together—and then make it happen! Quite literally that vision is dependent on our Stewardship; what we give of ourselves IS the very fabric and shape of St. Paul’s Parish. What we give determines everything that happens in our life together. That said, I would like to make a suggestion. Rather than this scenario: we hear some stewardship talks and sermons in the fall, a letter comes that may be read (or filed in a large paper pile on our desk), and all of a sudden, it’s Pledge Sunday and we have to fill in a number! How about a Stewardship Summer: during these warm and hopefully more relaxing days, we resolve to spend a few minutes each week contemplating our own stewardship. How am I taking care of myself, physically, mentally and spiritually? How am I caring for my family, friends, town and country? How am I caring for this "fragile earth, our island home"? How am I caring for the gift that God has given me in St. Paul’s, my faith home? What is the return I am willing to give for each of these blessings? The answer to that question will shape the future of St. Paul’s, next year and beyond. It seems important enough to devote a bit of time to thought and prayer before next November. May we go forth in these (too short!) summer months rejoicing in the power of God’s Spirit in us and among us.
Jane Tiernan-Reilly
Senior Warden
Please remember to keep up with your pledges and contributions during the summer months, even if you’re away on vacation. After all, the Postman always cometh!