Most parishes are in the midst of their stewardship programs as we meet. No matter how we’ve tried to define it, stewardship always seems to come down to the annual fall fund drive, and, as important as that is, we know it’s wrong. Christ’s many parables on stewardship always meant something more. To be a steward in God’s kingdom is have a share in the caring of God’s creation and the proclamation of God’s Word as ones who live in loving relationship with God and with one another.

Those are the principles that are driving the work of the Stewardship Committee of the Foundation in the development of a full range of materials and consulting services to be made available to every congregation during this next year.

But you and I know that materials and counsel provided by the diocese, no matter how good or well received, cannot replace the Holy Spirit filled energy, imagination and accomplishments of a local congregation that is intent on becoming a community of stewards.

No one knew that better than Fr. John Shepard, and no one was more committed to creating the conditions under which local congregations could do just that. As a member of the Foundation’s Stewardship Committee he was determined to see that happen. The members of the committee are equally determined that Fr. John’s vision will not fade away.

Therefore, and in Fr. John’s memory, I am pleased to announce the creation of an annual John Shepard Award for Excellence in Stewardship.

When we meet again in Convention next year, one parish will be awarded the John Shepard prize, of not less than $1,000, for excellence in stewardship. We are working on the terms for the competition now, and intend to publish them in late January or early February so that each of you will have plenty of time to respond.

In general they will measure congregational applications on the basis of creativity, imagination, and success not simply in regard to fund raising, but more importantly to a comprehensive program of stewardship following the teachings of Jesus and intentional in developing the spiritual health and well being of parishioners.

Additional awards of recognition will also be made for congregations showing outstanding progress in various elements of their own stewardship programs, including fundraising.

I would like to close this announcement by borrowing from Kay Rafferty’s note to the diocesan clergy and offering the following quote, on behalf of the Stewardship Team, to John Shepard….it is one of many good pieces from the book “The Steward”, by Douglas John Hall.”

“…[we need to learn how to] interpret the Christian life as stewardship. The world is crying out for keepers and tenders of its wonderful, frail beauty, and God desires to send us out as stewards into this astonishing, unique creation.”

Trust me, there is great joy in having that little box somewhere handy. Dropping in some change each day in thanksgiving for the day’s blessings makes it easier to pay attention to those blessings. But sometimes it’s just plain fun to put all your change in the box without thinking of anything in particular. It’s just plain fun to know that, in very short order, it will go to help fund some very worthwhile mission work someplace, maybe in your own town, maybe in some far distant country, but always to help make some part of God’s work come to life.

Pennies, dimes, nickels, quarters; they add up fast. Fill a box, then fill another. It won’t hurt your standard of living a bit, and it will bless you with an almost giddy inner joy.

With that in mind, hear what Paul had to say to the recalcitrant and sometimes miserly Corinthians who were quick to promise and slow to deliver:

2Cor. 9:6 The point is this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 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. 9 As it is written,
“He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor;
his righteousness endures forever.”
10 He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way for your great generosity, which will produce thanksgiving to God through us; 12 for the rendering of this ministry not only supplies the needs of the saints but also overflows with many thanksgivings to God. 13 Through the testing of this ministry you glorify God by your obedience to the confession of the gospel of Christ and by the generosity of your sharing with them and with all others, 14 while they long for you and pray for you because of the surpassing grace of God that he has given you. 15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

The Foundation of the Diocese of Spokane is first and foremost embedded in that “excellent word.” It is a foundation that takes its meaning and direction from the words of Christ as recorded in Scripture and the traditions of the church: words that instruct us to prepare ourselves to proclaim the gospel into all the world for generations yet to come; words that teach us to be persevere no matter what the conditions of life may bring. The Foundation intends to become a solid structure that can be relied upon to support the buildings above it, no matter how they may change in years to come. The Foundation intends to become a source of added strength to congregations in need. I’m not so sure about being a base for color and decoration, but maybe that’s true too.

All of that is bracketed by intention. We are still at the beginning. To accomplish our intention we must have the support of all: in your pledges, in your gifts, in your encouragement to others for their pledges and gifts. Can we count on you?

With our investment policy in place, the trustees have engaged Washington Trust to manage our funds through  conservative investments in funds distributed among large companies, small companies, fixed income and money markets.  Quarterly reviews of our investment strategies have helped us avoid the worst effects of the recession and be well positioned to take advantage of an emerging recovery.   In the meantime, the trustees also recognize that every congregation needs help with stewardship, especially as a theology of one’s relationship with God through the godly stewardship of all that God has given to us.  That means a lot more than just a few months in the fall trying to raise money for the budget.  It means a way of life centered on doing the work God has given us to do as individual Christians and through our various congregations.  Toward that end a new stewardship program was announced at the recent clergy conference and will soon be in the field to work with every congregation.  

The hard part in all of this is that a lot of the work we are doing for the foundation endowment funds and for congregational stewardship will benefit the next generation of Episcopalians in our diocese more than it will benefit us.  It takes courage and faith to commit to future generations when our own immediate needs are so pressing.  But that is what we are called by God to do.