October 30, 2011
The following is being read on behalf of Carol Ingram who wrote it specifically for this Sunday during this Creation Season.
A few months after moving to Mars Hill Retirement Community, I was in an activity with Brenda Thomsen, who was the nurse at the center. Brenda mentioned her church, Holy Spirit, the Episcopal Church in Mars Hill. Afterwards I told Brenda I would like to visit her church. She arranged for Ann Hutzel to pick me up on Sunday. Ann did, and nearly every Sunday since that time I have been picked up for church and for other church related activities during the week. Many people in the congregation have provided this service. One year nineteen people provided the transportation. Providing this service has enabled me to attend the Holy Spirit regularly and to participate in many of its activities. I want to thank the people who have served in this capacity.
When I think of stewardship I think of using our time, talents and treasures. The people who have provided this transportation fit this description. It does take extra time to get me and then to return me to my home. These people have the ability to drive and they use their own cars and gas. For many months they also had to handle my wheel chair, which is heavy and awkward to handle. Fortunately, a wheel chair has been provided for the church and they no longer have to move mine.
I continue to attend Holy Spirit because I am comfortable here. I like the liturgical service. It is familiar to me. The same word and prayers are used each week, with some variation. They do not become routine. They are prayed and said fresh each time.
The sermons help me learn more about the scriptures and they leave me a challenge. They talk about God’s love and forgiveness.
The members of the congregation are a valuable asset to the worship. They are friendly and respond positively to the service. The first Sunday I attended was the one in which John Doran said he was up for parole and asked the congregation for their prayers. I was so favorably impressed by the congregation’s positive response. I quickly realized that this congregation lived its mission statement, “A welcoming, loving Christian Community committed to serving God, one another and our neighbors.”
Its outreach programs are further evidence of this. I have been privileged to be a part of some of these programs. The Villager Initiative is the one where I have been most involved. Volunteering at My Sister’s Place provided an opportunity to show acceptance of all people and to be of service to them. The Prison Ministry is an important outreach program I have participated in it by writing notes to the fellows and providing food for them. The Heritage Festival is an opportunity for every one to have a part in its activities. Selling tickets for the quilt raffle is the main way in which I can participate. The profits from this event go to help many families in need of assistance.
Education is another aspect of what keeps me committed to this church. It may be in formal classes or impromptu discussion groups. Through it I learn more about the Bible and how
various people look at their faith. It gives me new ways of understanding scripture and thinking about how I express my faith.
Stewardship to me means taking care of God’s creation, its people, other living things and the earth as a whole. It means caring for my body by observing good health practices, caring for my mind and caring for my spirit. It means caring for the earth and its resources, by not wasting water, by recycling materials, whether for home use or for major recycling projects. By planting trees and grasses to prevent erosions, etc.
Stewardship is not confined to activities within the church. It should be an ongoing part of our daily routine. We can be an example by what we do and what we say. We use the gifts God has given us to serve Him and our fellow man. Stewardship means helping others through small deeds or in major ways.
Matthew 25:40 is a verse that gives meaning to much of what I have said: “And the king will answer them. “Truly I tell you
just as you did it to one of the least of those who are
members of my family you did it to me.” (NRSV)