Rekindle the Spirit: Your Church Needs You To
After being here 18 years, the spirit is still in us. This is the same spirit that was glowing in the hearts of the founders of this church and the previous generations that came before us. That spirit still lives in those who will make better things happen for a brighter
tomorrow. I recognize that spirit and I appreciate it.

It is here because we are a special people and we understand that there is no other mission in our lives more worthwhile than our church. The church illuminates people in the midst of darkness. Its purpose is people, you and I, not profits, not business, not entertainment, not recreation, not anything of ‘this world.’ Just us, people made in the image of God.

And yet, there is cause for concern. A noted humanitarian remarked: “The moral law of the universe is progress. Every generation that passes idly over the earth without adding to
that progress remains uninscribed upon the register of humanity and the succeeding generations tramples its ashes as dust.”

Strong words that can ring true if we are not careful. I certainly do not want to be a part of a generation that oversees our church falling into a state of decay due to the lack of routine maintenance and other necessary replacements or upgrades. Or a generation that does not have any dreams of future growth to accommodate those who follow us.

Below is a table that shows that over the last four years (and for many years prior) our budget shortfalls have been handsomely made up by the festival to give us forty thousand plus surpluses until this year. Last year, if you recall, we even set aside $50,000 (I have discussed in detail in previous issues). With only a $4,000 surplus in 2009, we have absolutely no cushion if some large unexpected expense occurs. And, as we have reminded ourselves, if we continue to depend upon the festival to meet our budget, we can guarantee no change in our physical structures, no chance of ever having decent classrooms that our kids deserve, and we will have no means (money) to adjust to our growing parish as it makes more demands and places more stress on the current facilities.

*Net Income after charitable contributions

But, adversity should be looked at optimistically. These sorts of times mean that we all have an opportunity to respond to the Lord by giving of our time to fix or repair things, our talent to serve and contribute toward various ministries, and our money to meet our costs and provide for our future. We all have a stake in the well being of our church. It is not solely the responsibility of the council or the priest to meet our challenges. We all must become more active and more committed than ever to our church, which is when you come down to it, an individual commitment.

I am optimistic about your generosity. I am optimistic that you will heed this letter and respond to the call of commitment, volunteerism and charity: concepts that are firmly planted in our heritage. I ask you, a giving people, to fill out the Stewardship forms and give to your church so that we can appropriately manage the affairs of ‘your’ church. What happens to this church is in our hands. Everything that we are associated with, and can have an impact on, is a self-portrait of the person, or us as people. This church is our ‘autograph.’ Individually and collectively. The attention we give it will make sure that it is kept up honorably and satisfactory.

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