Our stewardship theme at St. James for 2024 is Rooted In Abundance. Between now and Commitment Sunday, Oct. 29, we will be reflecting on all the ways God has truly blessed our parish abundantly. You will hear truly good news stories—gospel stories—about the ways God is working at St. James and in parishioners' lives.
At any time, you can find out how to get more deeply involved at St. James, and you can make your 2o23 financial commitment to St. James in one of three ways— by pledging online by clicking here or by downloading our 2024 Commitment Card, printing and returning it to the St. James Office, or by picking up a card at the parish office.
Stewardship isn't just about money, of course. It begins with God's first instruction to humankind in the opening chapter of Genesis—for us to be stewards of all creation. God has entrusted each of us with gifts to steward, gifts that are meant to be used to benefit others and the community of God. All we have—our time, energy, creativity, financial resources, and our life itself—is an abundant gift from God and God has entrusted us with all these things.
It's not about what the church needs in order to do ministry, though our financial gifts do fund our mission and ministry. Stewardship is about our need to show our gratitude to God by returning a portion of what has been entrusted to us. It's a spiritual practice, just like worship, prayer, study, pilgrimage, or service, that increases our awareness of God and helps us to be more open to God’s grace. It’s a part of the whole cycle of God's grace: as we show our gratitude to God, we become even more aware of how much God has given to us, which makes us even more grateful.
Our Stewardship Team has several ways to help us in this practice of gratitude.
More Than Enough, Stewardship Season 2023
- Check out our first "More than Enough" story about our parish's lay-led, yearlong, ecumenical commitment to flood relief efforts in Cruso, N.C.
- Read our campaign introductory letter "Every Gift is a Miracle" from Janet Doyle, our Stewardship Chair.
- Read parishioner reflections on St. James' impact in their lives
- How Giving Leads to Growth by Trini Fares
- You are a Gift by Carole Haskell
- Blessed to be a Blessing by Vicki Wright
- Gratitude That Sustains by Lutrelle & Carey O'Cain
- God’s Love at Work Through Giving by John Hill
- Trust in God & Say Thank You by Ginny Faust
- Growth Through Giving by Carroll Toole
- Blessings from God by Joyce Van Giesen
Stewardship Committee
Ministry Leader: Janet Doyle
Stewardship Committee nurtures formation in the spiritual disciplines of gratitude, generosity, and faithful stewardship of all God’s gifts to us.
Legacy Giving Committee
Ministry Leader: Elizabeth Henry
Legacy Giving Committee promotes legacy giving, sponsors the Legacy Society, and presents workshops about issues related to legacy giving, aging, and end of life issues.
Legacy Society
Ministry Leader: Elizabeth Henry
The Legacy Society includes all people who have included St. James in their wills or estate plans and have informed the Legacy Giving Committee of their bequest.
St. James Endowment Board
Ministry Leader: Gene Carr
The St. James Endowment provides funding for new ministry iniatives, outreach projects, and building/capital projects at St. James. The Board ensures that the management of the St. James Endowment Fund, receives annual funding requests from ministries and groups in late Spring, provides recommendations for funding and oversees disbursements to ensure they are made in accordance with the purposes and policies of the Endowment.
Statement on Stewardship
St. James Vestry and Clergy
We believe…
- that everything we have is a gift that comes from God.
- that we are called by God to share these gifts.
We commit ourselves…
- to evaluate our lives and our giving, seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit through reflection and prayer.
- financially to give proportionately while working toward a 10% tithe.
As the Vestry and Clergy, we will…
- lead by example in our commitment to give of our time, talent, and treasure.
- make a pledge annually.
- be prudent, faithful stewards of the resources and gifts entrusted to St. James.
We invite the people of St. James…
- to join us in prayerfully reflecting on the gifts we have received from God.
- to reflect on how our giving is a vital aspect of our relationship with God and one another.
- to give generously of our time, talent, and treasure to God’s work in and through St. James.
- to express our gratitude to God by making an annual pledge, giving proportionately from our income.