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As Neighborhood Congregational Church kicked off their annual Stewardship Campaign, the many aspects of giving of one’s time, talents and financial support are being discussed at the annual Stewardship Dinner on October 24th and during recent worship services, whether by church members at the start of the hour, by the minister during the adult’s Morning Message, and or by the youth coordinator and the children during the Children’s Message.

Church members have been reminding us that when we give, we receive — we receive the good feeling of doing our share to keep our church open and vital.  We are reminded that we are all part of a family –  a church family — in which we pitch in for the good of all.

Church leadership reminds us that in this, the 4th quarter of the year, we plan for next year: for what programs and events are important, and for what it costs in time, talent and money to support these.  We plan who takes care of future church tasks by selecting church leaders who agree to volunteer their time for the coming year.  We plan next year’s budget by estimating future income and expenses.  So we ask our members to say what they will give in time, talent, and funding.  Our Board of Trustees explain that “pledging” is an integral part of the budget process.  This involves filling out a confidential NCC Pledge Card, sealing it into an envelope and turning it in to the church’s Financial Secretary.  Just as families need to plan their expenses based on anticipated income, so must church families have input from their members regarding their intended giving to plan for the coming year.

Our interim-interim minister, the Rev. Dr. Herb Chamberlain, suggested on Sunday, October 19th, that we read the message on the back of the bulletin.  How timely during our annual Stewardship Campaign, when our 2008 pledge income is nearly $12,000 behind! Here’s the message:
“It is not possessions that Jesus criticizes but possessiveness.  What we keep to ourselves when it’s hard, we receive – more than we ever thought possible.  But as C.S. Lewis put it, we cannot receive a gift when our hands are full — and giving a gift is hard when we can’t let go of things.  Are our hands too full?  Are we too possessive?
There is no simple solution to this concern.  But how we handle it determines whether our world is large or small.  As any parent knows, the time comes when letting go is essential if a child is to move successfully into the larger world of adulthood.  As any partner knows, possessiveness can stifle the growth of a good relationship.  As any friend knows, mutual understanding requires more than clinging to one’s own point of view.
And as any of us knows when facing an uncertain future, some things are going to have to be left behind. As with letting go, the real question of giving is now what we can do but how much we don’t want to lose.  If there’s a risk in letting go or giving too freely, there’s a greater risk in holding onto too much.  Jesus said, “If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it.”  Possessiveness kills.
“Touch us, O God, with your peace that we may become less fearful and more open to a larger life when we live, and five, more freely in the spirit of Christ.”

The Children’s Message on Sunday morning, October 18th, was apparently divinely inspired.  Christian Education Director Mary LaRusso had selected “Stewardship” as the children’s theme for the day, to tie in with the adult’s morning message topic which related to our Stewardship Campaign.  Mary wrote STEWARDSHIP in large block letters across the top of a huge piece of paper for all to see.  She explained that all airline attendants used to be women, and were called “stewardesses” which meant that they were supposed to take care of the passengers.  Stewards take care of things.
She then asked the children to think of words starting with each letter of STEWARDSHIP and wrote each new descriptive word vertically under the appropriate letter.  The result:

Share, Teach, Energy, Worship, Angels, Reward, Direct, Shepherd, Help, Inspire, People