The Impact of Your Generosity
Hi all, my name is Gail Burgin. I have been a member with my husband, Bruce, at St. Paul’s Maumee for 3 years. I have also been a member of Vestry for 2 years. The Stewardship committee has asked us to share why St. Paul’s and Stewardship is important to me. I probably have a little different experience than most, since I am a relative newcomer here. I have been a lifelong member of the Episcopal church, spending 60+ years at my previous parish. The church was always an integral part of my childhood, from services, choir, Sunday school, youth group, teacher, music lessons, craft shows and much more. But much more than that – the church helped us in time of need. They were our extended family. The church provided us with flute lessons, organ and piano lessons, stand in dad for father/son events and much more. We also were on the receiving end of food baskets and gifts for under the tree. With the church and the generosity of others, our lives were a little more comfortable and complete. Obviously, we are not the only ones that are in this type of situation, and many turn to the church for assistance. These are our friends and neighbors, and others who may never be known to us. But the church plays a significant role in their lives.
We always talk about time, talent and treasure as our gifts. We see the TIME that everyone devotes to the church, outreach, in reach, taking care of the building, decorating the church, altar guild, ushers and all the other things we volunteer for to make the church operate. The TALENT is shown every week with the music, coffee hours, the dinners we plan, the auction and other ministries. The TREASURE is what the Stewardship campaign is all about. We need treasure to keep the church operational. The funding that we realize from this campaign helps us support the day-to-day operations of the church, making sure the lights are on, the coffee is available, the rector is available to hear us when we need support and to continue as a congregation. It also gives us the ability to help those that need a little help during a time in their life when they may be feeling a little lost, angry, worried and a multitude of other emotions difficult to label.
If you have already pledged this year, thank you. If you are still considering your pledge, I would like you to remember the broad-based mission of the church – the mission that allows us to worship on Sunday in comfort, the mission to fund the programs that we love, and to be able to continue those programs, the mission to help our friends and neighbors when they reach out to us.
Thank you for prayerfully considering your pledge and your continued support financially of St. Paul’s Maumee.
Gail Burgin