“For Everyone Born,” a hymn in our newly dedicated hymnal, provides inspiration for this year’s stewardship theme – A Place at the Table. Consider how the opening words of the hymn, words we’ll hear throughout our stewardship season, reflect our presence and purpose to serve Christ, share God’s love, and work for justice in our world:
For everyone born, a place at the table,
for everyone born, clean water and bread,
a shelter, a space, a safe place for growing,
for everyone born, a star overhead.
This theme speaks to all we do at Westminster. In a world where the journey for some to find a place at God’s table is difficult, your faithful generosity provides space for all, welcoming everyone to a large and bountiful table filled with love, grace and acceptance.
Your practice of stewardship in 2020 will continue to help us meet the challenge that everyone born, both in our community and beyond, will receive God’s hospitality. Through worship, music, our Christian education programs for children, youth and adults, sharing God’s love with students and faculty at the University, supporting our immigrant neighbors, promoting racial justice, sheltering the homeless, feeding the hungry, serving as allies to our LGBTQIA community, our home and hospital visits, and much, much more, your financial support helps us provide a place at the table for everyone.
This week you will be receiving your annual packet of materials for the 2020 stewardship campaign. Over the coming weeks, you will hear more about the many Westminster ministries and programs that reflect our love of God and our neighbors, including at a congregational stewardship lunch in Fellowship Hall on November 3. As we move toward Pledge Dedication Sunday on November 10, the stewardship committee asks that you prayerfully discern how you will practice stewardship this year.
If you have not pledged previously, we ask that you faithfully consider whether you will be able to make a pledge for 2020. If you regularly pledge –thank you! – and we ask that you faithfully consider whether you could increase your pledge to an amount that reflects the many blessings that God has bestowed upon you.
The refrain of the hymn, “For Everyone Born,” includes the following declaration:
“God will delight when we are creators of justice and joy, compassion, and peace!”
Through our faithful practice of stewardship, we can continue our shared journey of creating justice, joy, compassion, and peace. That journey will include challenges. Let us meet and overcome those together. For everyone born, a place at the table.
Thank you.
Jim Cauthen, on behalf of the Stewardship Committee