Therefore, be imitators of God, as beloved children,
and walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave
himself up for us, a fragrant offering
and sacrifice to God.
Ephesians 5:1-2, NRSV
That passage is the inspiration behind St. Peter's fall stewardship campaign – Walk in Love – which kicks off today, with this letter from our Clergy Team (attached and below).
The purpose of this campaign is to encourage each of us who call St. Peter's "my church" to reflect on the ways we contribute to it – with our time, talents and treasures – and consider how God is calling us to steward these precious resources for His Kingdom, in the year ahead and beyond. To help you do that, members of our Stewardship Committee want to meet with you, to field questions you might have about parish activities, finances, and giving opportunities. Please make time for these important conversations.
Throughout the campaign, we'll also be raising up stories of how we Walk in Love with each other in our congregation. You're invited to share your stories of inspiration and connection with our shared ministry, in this place and with each other. We look forward to making this journey together.
October 25th, 2024
Dear Beloved Saints’ of the Most-High God,
Generosity is a journey, it’s a practice that we learn and nurture within our hearts. It just isn’t in our nature to give away what we have worked hard to acquire or to donate our precious time without compensation. It takes something as radical as Love to inspire us to share our time, talent, and treasure with others. This is a journey we make together, a Walk in Love.
As we have lived with the Gospel of St. Mark this year, we have been brought into a world turned radically upside down. The laws and customs that had been in place for centuries were challenged, power and dominion have been questioned, and a culture hemmed in from all sides by oppression and subjection desperately seeks a way forward.
As it turns out, it is not clever politics or force that cause the change in society, but the simplest concept of Love. Jesus causes a revolution of thought and heart by daring to reach out to the outcast and teach others to do the same. He walks in love with the marginalized, with the poor, with the sick, and brings us along with him on his journey.
The most miraculous gift of Love is that it was there within us all along, all we had to do was find it, tap into it, and begin growing it. And look what happened? We learned to share, to give, to volunteer, to accompany others, to feed, to pray, to visit, and to strive for change. This year as our Stewardship Campaign kicks off, we will be intentionally raising up stories of how we Walk in Love with each other in our congregation. I invite you to share your stories of inspiration and connection with our shared ministry in this place and with each other. I invite you to Walk in Love.
The Reverend Bonnie Luft
IncumbentThe Reverend Rob Petkau
Associate Priest