A Stewardship Testimonial
by an All Saints Parish parishioner
Good morning. It's my pleasure to be here this morning to talk to you about stewardship.
I came to All Saints just a little over two years ago. I was in what you'd call a bad place. I'd lived in Boston for 5 years and hadn't yet found the "right" parish. I'd been out of law school for a year and a half, and hadn't found work. I'd also just gone through a breakup and lost my apartment. That's how I came to All Saints that Sunday – unemployed, alone and homeless.
It was a Visitors Welcome Sunday. I met with Philip Major and a few others. I told Philip I was interested in choir – it may have been 3 whole days till Don was in touch.
Though things remained difficult for that first year, I kept coming back here. I came back because I felt wanted. I felt wanted by the clergy, I felt wanted by the choir, I felt wanted by the parish. I felt wanted by God.
About a year ago, I was hired by the Public Defender's office – it wasn't just a job – it was THE job I'd been wanting since law school. Shortly after my first paycheck, the stewardship brochure arrived. I can't tell you how happy I was to make my pledge, it was so thrilling for me to be able to show my gratitude, to finally be able to give back.
All Saints had given me a place of comfort, a sanctuary, a place to sing, a place to call home. And God gave me All Saints.
This year, let the brochure do for you what it did for me – that is, bring to mind all for which you are grateful.
And then, give back.
When I pledged last year, I started at 3% of my gross salary, which admittedly isn't much given what a public defender earns, with the idea of increasing by 1% each year until I'm tithing. So here is my 2012 pledge of 4%. Such a small amount in comparison to what I get.
So, even though I know it will never be enough, will never equal what I get from All Saints, from God I'm trying to give back. Won't you, too?
Thank you.