ST. JAMES STEWARDSHIP STATEMENT

We, the Vestry and Clergy of St. James Episcopal Church, believe:

We are created by God.

• All that is in creation is a gift to us and we are stewards of that creation.
• The God of abundance will provide enough of everything so that we may share abundantly.

We commit:

• To pledge and give proportionally and to strive toward the biblical tithe of 10%.
• To examine prayerfully our individual contribution of the time, talent and treasure entrusted to us.
• To maintain an open and ongoing dialogue regarding the financial health of this parish and to work in all ways to follow the example of Christ.

We invite you:

• To offer what you have first been given; yourselves, your time and your possessions.
• To make your gifts signs of your relationship with God and one another.
• To embrace the Church as your home and to consider yourselves owners, rather than guests or tenants.

We rejoice:

• In the worship and adoration of God as stewards of his creation.
• In the gifts of the past and present and the promise of the future through the grace of God.

“’You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” Matthew 22:37-40

Approved by the St. James Vestry June 18, 2009 – Reaffirmed by the St. James Vestry and Clergy August 18, 2011

Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:7-8

If you need further information regarding Stewardship at St. James or wish to talk to someone about the specifics of financial giving, please call the parish bookkeeper at (316) 683-5686 or the Stewardship Chairman, Steve Warfield, at (316) 681-3592.