Message from Barry Ousley
My Dear Friends in Christ,
Carl Jung was asked, “Do you believe in God”. After a pause he replied, “I don’t have to believe, I know”. To me, that has to be the most profound statement of faith I have heard and revealed the place where I wanted to find myself. After many years of searching, I believe I am there, and not through any efforts of my own. This extraordinary community of Saint Andrew's transformed my journey from “I” to “We”. We walk in caring, we walk in tolerance, we walk in peace, we walk in faith, we walk in joy, we walk in Christ — we know. We Walk In Love.
I am grateful to have been asked to take part in the Stewardship Campaign this year and to spend these weeks with intention as we enter a season of giving. Our theme this year is Walk in Love, and it calls us to remember that our greatest gift in community is how we align, come together in purpose and mission. When we walk in the same direction, we can do so many things.
Each of us hears this call differently, just as each of us has been blessed by God differently. Our talents and training have been gifts freely given to us so that we may share them with a world in need. How will you feel God’s call to walk in love this year? How will you determine how you will share your gifts with God’s people in the world?
I invite you to make your promise to the Church for the year to come. Before you fill out your pledge, whether online or on paper, I ask that you pray about it, discuss it with your family, and discern how God is calling you to share your gifts of time, talent and money.
Our stewardship campaign will come to a close on Sunday, November 24 — the Last Sunday after Pentecost: Christ the King Sunday. It's the final Sunday of the Church Year before we turn to Advent. We'll celebrate the beginning of the liturgical year ahead with our annual Pledge Ingathering.
If possible, please return your pledges to us by then so that we may count your pledge in our ingathering where your gift will be added to many others to be blessed and shared with the world. If there is anything I can do to support you or questions I can answer, please do not hesitate to reach out.
Walking with you in Love,
Barry Ousley
Chair of Saint Andrew's Stewardship Committee