Change of Seasons… by Dretha Burris

The last few days have given us luscious, crisp mornings and glorious fall afternoons. Seems like must yesterday that we were enjoying fall last year. What a difference a year makes! At this time last year I was praying and seeking God's will about a call to full time ministry. And here I am!

Last fall a unique process put me in a lay leadership position as chair of the Stewardship Committee. One Wednesday evening during choir practice, I was sitting beside our pastor. Katherine looked simply drained. She explained that in addition to her regular duties at church and at home, she was helping her parents deal with serious health issues, helping them move to a place where they could receive medical and physical assistance, and she was helping them clean out their home. So many belongings and so many memories…When I asked her if there was anything I could do to help, she said, “Sure, be the chair of the Stewardship Committee.”

As a church member, stewardship is something about which I have long been passionate. As a Christian, I find stewardship is a way for me to respond to God's love and grace. And now, as a member of this church's pastoral staff, I see stewardship from another perspective. Stewardship is about our relationship to God and is a concept I want the children of our church to see in example.

Some folks become growly when the subject of stewardship comes up. I'm so glad our church and our pastor welcome God's teachings about stewardship. From the time we were toddlers we've been taught the importance of sharing. We praise our children for sharing. We model for our kids the importance of sharing by participating in projects such as bringing food for the food pantry. We teach our kids about sharing our resources with others who have faced disasters such as when we put together flood buckets. We adopt angels from the Angel Tree at Christmas.

My perspective on stewardship is now focused on how to foster a giving spirit in our children. We have an opportunity to teach our children that:

•  Everything we have belongs to God.

•  God expects us to share with Him by helping others AND by supporting God's church.

•  How we use our money and our time is based on our priorities. God must be a priority for us.

•  God blesses us for doing what is right.

As Brian McDaniel and his group lead us through the period where we think about our stewardship commitment, I pray that you will consider the blessings you have received from God. I pray that you will share with God, the body of Christ, the church, and with each other. It is by your generosity and tangible gifts that we are able to provide for this church and its ministries. Thank you for allowing me to serve with you shoulder to shoulder as we do God's work.

Dretha