~~Growing in Gratitude~~

Our Stewardship Ministry 2011-12

All the gifts in our lives--all we have--have been given by God. We are blessed with so much abundance!

In response to our annual committment program this past fall, we have so far received an in-gathering of gifts exceeding $25,000. First fruits!

On November 13, we held our Feast of Gratitude. We celebrated a special Eucharist service filled with thanksgiving, had the in-gathering of gifts, and then all gathered for a festive brunch sponsored by the Vestry.

These are the Prayers of the People from that special service. Use them throughout the coming months:

Nurturing God, your love is free, your compassion unconditional, and your mercy

infinite. You shower upon us gifts abundant.

Open our lips, O God, that we may proclaim your benevolent truth and your call

for justice in our communities, in our congregations, and in the world.  Gracious God, open our lips.

Open our minds, O God, that we might dream a Church reconciled, a Church that knows only your love so abundantly that it bursts with a passion for ministry, a desire to give completely, and a sense of stewardship that seeks only to give back.  Gracious God, open our minds.

Open our hearts, O God, to be transformed by the mighty outpouring of your compassion, so that our will to serve others with humility, integrity, and urgency is your desired will for us, your servants.  Gracious God, open our hearts.

Open our eyes, O God, to the hurts and needs of others that call us to ministry. Teach us to see where our own abilities and resources-and the world's deep hunger-- meet.  Gracious God, open our eyes.

Open our hands, O God, to be your instruments of witness. Help us to work without hesitation, serve without recognition, to do justice, to love kindness, and to serve humbly with you, our God.   Gracious God, open our hands.

Open our memories, O God, as we remember those who have died. (Please add your petitions, silently or aloud). Help us honor the wisdom of those who devoted their lives to your service, and who generously gave of their time and treasure.  Gracious God, open our memories.

Nurturing God, your love is free, your compassion unconditional, and your mercy infinite. You shower upon us gifts abundant. Grant that we may know and trust these gifts, that we may discover the joy they bring, and inspire us to serve and love out of that joy. In the name of the Risen Christ we pray. Amen.

              ~~~from Women's Uncommon Prayers (Morehouse, 2000).

 ~First Fruits~  Proportional Giving

From ancient times, the people of God have given the first fruits of our labor - the first and best portion - to God. Giving back to God is a tangible expression of one’s faith.

Proportional Giving helps us answer the contemporary question “How much of my wealth should I contribute for the mission and ministry of the church?” It asks that we consider giving to the Church in proportion to our income. It begins with our current level of giving, and asks that we consider raising our pledge by one half a percent of our income each year.

The advantage of Proportional Giving is that every household is challenged to increase their giving in a way that is balanced and equitable. In Proportional Giving, stewardship is spread out over the entire wealth of the congregation. Proportional Giving provides a method to ensure the continued vitality of the Church.

Our Vestry and Rector have committed to Proportional Giving as an important means towards assuring the future health of St. Andrew’s.

We expect that you make the same commitment.

Restoring our congregation to financial health is critical to us carrying out God’s mission in the world.

The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.

Psalm 24:1

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

Luke 6:38

Contact:  standrewsvt@myfairpoint.net

Christian Stewardship

is the grateful, joyful, and responsible use of God’s gifts to do the work that God has given us to do, as revealed through Jesus Christ. 

• God loves us and wants us to have all that we need to live a joyful and productive life.
• All that we are and all that we have are gifts from God.
• Regularly giving of our time, abilities, energy, and money is a spiritual practice.
• Proportional giving  or tithing is an important spiritual practice. It helps establish a healthy regard for money. It helps us to live the life God hopes we will have.

       From "Year-round Stewardship,"

       The Episcopal Church

Our Discretionary Fund

Financial gifts made to this special fund--often on the first Sunday each month--are used by our priest for needs in our community.  By partnering with local agencies, we are able to offer support and assistance to many:  heating oil for a home, gas cards to get to a new job, clothing for children, etc. 

In 2011, we gave over $5000. of our gifts to help others!

Giving to others what we have been so freely given.

Legacy Gifts

Through several generations, St. Andrew’s has been the recipient of numerous gifts to support our ministries. We remember with gratitude the following persons who chose to use the gifts God entrusted to them to strengthen the future of St. Andrew’s:

Robert Bennett

The Family of Dorothy Bonnett

Leo Cole

Winnie Cutting

Gertrude Davis

Martha L. Fleming

Rodger K. Furse

The Griswold Family

The Rev. George Heald 

The Rev. Theodore A. Hopkins

Elizabeth B. Longmore

Andrew B. Moore

Samuel A. Moore 

Herbert Hugh Quimby

Beatrice Ranney

Alice M. Ritchie

Luella Schroeder 

Ruby Smythe

Florence Tull

Arthur Witherspoon

Let us now sing the praises of famous men and women,
our ancestors in their generations….
Their bodies are buried in peace,
but their name lives on generation after generation.

Amen.  

From Ecclesiasticus 44

To contribute to the life and growth of St. Andrew’s, please contact the Trustees of the Episcopal Diocese of Vermont, adminasst@dioceseofvermont.org , 5 Rock Point Rd., Burlington, VT 05408