Our Walk in Love Stewardship Campaign will conclude on Sunday, December 8, and the Wardens and Clergy of St. Peter's want to thank all parishioners for their engagement over the past several weeks.
As we head into the home stretch, parishioners are encouraged to continue to give thought and prayer to how God is calling each of us to contribute to the ministry of this parish in 2025 and beyond. Further, we encourage you to complete a pledge card (attached, online and in Sunday's church bulletin) as a declaration of what you have discerned and of your commitment to the parish. Completed pledge cards can be placed in the offering plate on Dec. 1 or 8, and we will bless all the pledge cards (including the ones received online) on Dec. 8.
To help guide you through the last days of this journey, we're pleased to provide two reflections this week – The Offertory (attached), which is part of the campaign package provided by our Diocese – as well as some Words from our Wardens (below).
Additionally, parishioners with questions, concerns or ideas related to parish activities, finances, and giving opportunities, are encouraged to take advantage of next week's stewardship sessions – details about which can be found below.
Words from our Wardens
The 2024 Stewardship Campaign will soon be nearing its conclusion, which is a cause for reflection of the past year and for the vision of growing the church, of spreading the Gospel in this neighbourhood and beyond. It takes resources to grow God's Kingdom. It takes our time, it takes our talents, it takes people and yes, it takes money.
To paraphrase Esther 4:14, perhaps you have been entrusted with the resources you have "for such a time as this."
Giving is not easy. Yes, we can make all of the tools available, such as the pledge cards in the Setting Sail newsletter and church bulletins, preauthorized bank withdrawals or credit cards. But the final decision and resolve is yours to make from your heart and in the spirit of love. Each of us is encouraged to reflect on how God is calling us to contribute.
Your church, your community, has a fiscal challenge. As many of you know, it is currently operating on a monthly deficit. Your clergy and council are therefore challenged to appeal to you, in the spirit of good will, in the spirit of love and giving. Yes, we know that this challenge causes us to confront the conflicting priorities and pressures of our personal lives, our ongoing basic needs and desires to do good in the name of God and of Jesus Christ.
God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7), but nobody says you have to be happy about it right away. As Sir Winston Churchill said during World War 2, "In finance, everything that is agreeable is financially unsound, and everything that is financially sound is disagreeable."
May the Holy Spirit guide you.
Stewardship Sessions
If you've got questions, concerns or ideas related to how St. Peter's stewards its resources and your role in this important activity, the Stewardship Committee wants to hear from you.
As we continue to Walk in Love through our Fall Stewardship Campaign, the Stewardship Committee invites every member of our parish family for a brief visit. Our purpose is to field questions you might have about parish activities, finances, and giving opportunities.
Book a time that's convenient for you in one of the time slots below, by calling Hal Anderson at (403) 870-3445, or Arnold Williams at (403) 819-2568.
Tuesday: 9 a.m. until noon
Wednesday: 6-8 p.m.
Friday: 1-4 p.m.
Saturday: 9-11 a.m.
If these times don't work for you, or if you would prefer a home visit, please let us know and we will arrange one at your convenience. Email or call any of your Stewardship Team to start the discussion or set up a time.
People's Warden Hal Anderson: (403) 870-3445;
peopleswarden@stpeterscalgary.ca
Assistant People's Warden Peter Minnema: (403) 703-5816;
assistantpw@stpeterscalgary.ca
Assistant Incumbent's Warden Arnold Williams: (403) 819-2568;
assistantiw@stpeterscalgary.ca