Stewardship

Some of my earliest memories at St. Matthew’s are not of sermons or hymns but of the gift of peaceful stillness I felt after handing two restless babies over to the nursery. Even with the organ and the choir, that hour was often the quietest time Glennie and I experienced for a few years. But thankfully I’ve made more memories since then.

At first, I thought about our church the same way I had always thought about churches: a place to go on Sunday mornings, hear a sermon, get a cup of coffee, and, if I was lucky, go out to eat afterward. But over time it became much more than a Sunday morning service. When I think about St. Matthew’s now, I think about the annual pig roast, where laughter, barbecue smoke, and occasionally a hint of bourbon fill the air–kind of like the smell at Bryant-Denny Stadium when Alabama plays Tennessee. I also think about the men’s breakfast, which I have managed to attend an astonishing three times. If you haven’t been, it really is delicious. Just ask Jeff Anderson. And serving on the Vestry has given me the privilege of seeing up close how much prayer and care goes into making this parish what it is. All of that reminds me that fellowship is every bit as holy as liturgy.

This past year has also reminded me that the church is more than a building or even a rector. We are in a season of transition, and things feel different. But different does not mean diminished. It has been a gift to see how strong our community really is, and how we continue to worship, serve, and support one another in Christ’s name.

When the Vestry met with Bishop Curry after her visit last month, something she said stuck with me. I will not try to quote her directly, but the gist of her comment was that a church exists for people who are not yet its members. To me, that is stewardship in a nutshell. We give of our time, our resources, and our energy not only for ourselves but so that the doors of this place stay open and the story of God’s love can be shared with people who have not yet walked through those red doors. We can share barbecue and breakfast with them too.

For me, stewardship is also about gratitude. It is about looking at what St. Matthew’s has given me and my family and then asking how I can give back so that someone else can find those same blessings here. This year’s theme, Tell Out My Soul, calls us to share our stories. Mine is simple: St. Matthew’s has been a place where I have found connection, joy, and purpose. My hope is that through our giving, together we can keep telling that story, not only within these walls but in the wider world that so badly needs to hear it.

Beau Womack

Senior Warden

Growing up in church, I often heard pastors encourage our congregation to “give of our time and talents”. To a kid, this seemed to imply putting watches and guitars in the offering plate as it wound its way through the pews on Sunday morning. You can imagine my confusion when people only ever tossed in mysterious envelopes and an occasional $5 bill. 

With age came a little more wisdom and clarity, and I began to understand what our church leadership meant about the variety of ways to contribute to a community of faith. All church members, regardless of age or ability, can and should seek ways to support each other and foster the health of our community. 

For some, this might mean singing the tenor line in the choir each Sunday. For others, it might mean helping put the kitchen back in order after our potluck meals. For me, I’ve been inspired to “give of my time and talents” at St. Matthew’s by leading efforts to engage with our local community through organizing the Madison Community Volunteer Fair. Over the past two years of hosting the Volunteer Fair, I have heard that many attendees found new, fulfilling ways to volunteer with service organizations – all enabled by the dedication of St. Matthew’s to this event.

I’m grateful to be part of such a supportive community of faith that has embraced and sustained the ways in which I have personally felt called to contribute. It’s a testament to the spirit of stewardship that underlies all that we do together. Our gifts – of time, talent, and treasures – collectively enhance our communal identity and establish the roots of future growth. Let us continue to tend to our community together, as each act of giving weaves a richer, more vibrant tapestry of faith that strengthens us all.

Rachel Wyatt 

The first time we walked into St Matthew's at the warehouse, we were met with open arms and a moving spiritual service. Never had I felt so welcome, comfortable and supported. I truly felt this was my church which helped my transition from a very conservative Christian background to the Episcopal faith. I have so many wonderful memories: my Baptism and Confirmation, breaking ground on the church, the first service in Gruman Hall, wonderful friendships, prayers and comfort during our times of need, parish retreats, get togethers, Foyers, all the beautiful children and all the opportunities to be a part of the church family.

Due to having to care for our aging parents, we left St. Matthew's to attend church in Tennessee for several years, closer to where we live. Despite an occasional visit, It never felt quite the same and we finally decided to return to "our Church". On return it was like we'd never left - it was the same warm friendly church with moving liturgies and services with many of the same members we left, many new faces and lots of young children, although it was in the new nave. I was back home!

Stewardship, to some, is a dreaded subject, but I have always welcomed it and have always felt the more you give, the more you receive -- whether it be money, service, time, talent or participation. It is such a wonderful feeling to know in some ways you have helped sustain the church or inspired or supported someone in their spiritual journey or in their time of need. To me, doing all I can do is a personal blessing. I currently serve as an usher, ECW Vice President and an interim vestry member.

Carla Stagner 

The paradox of this year’s theme, Tell Out My Soul, brings a sheepish grin to my face. Episcopalians, after all, aren’t exactly known for bold evangelism. We tend to be more the quiet, apologetic type — and that resonates with me. I’ve never been comfortable with charismatic testimony. Instead, I try to live my faith through small, steady actions. So rather than a testimony, I hope you’ll read this reflection as a note of gratitude for the St. Matthew’s community and an invitation to help keep it flourishing for the future.

Most Sundays you’ll find me rolling into church on two wheels, rushing across the parking lot with a tousle-haired kid in tow to robe up as an acolyte at the very last minute. Yet no matter how messy life feels or how unpolished I am, the moment we process into the nave, St. Matthew’s always lifts me up and makes me feel whole.

Of all the ministries, Hospitality is my favorite. I take delight in brewing the coffee, shaping pepperoni slices into rosettes, and stacking cheese wedges just so. Hospitality is my way of feeding the same community that feeds me. And you really have — with casseroles, chili, and pulled pork, yes, but also with life tips, work advice, and the uncanny way there’s always someone here who understands exactly what I’m going through.

As I’ve been known to say, St. Matthew’s is one of my longest relationships — and it’s true. I’ve been part of this congregation since 1996. This community has walked with me through so many milestones: confirmation, graduations, marriage, and the birth and baptism of my three children. Many of you have literally watched me grow up here. This church has loved me, raised me, comforted me when life was hard, and celebrated with me in every joy.

Stewardship, at its heart, is about caring well for what has been entrusted to us. It isn’t just about budgets or pledge cards. For me, it means nurturing and cultivating St. Matthew’s so that future generations can find the same steady presence and faithful love we’ve all known here. It’s about sustaining a place that feeds us, loves us, welcomes us, and reminds us that no matter how late we roll in, we belong.

As the hymn says: “Unnumbered blessings give my spirit voice.” And the blessings at St. Matthew’s are so abundant that even the reserved evangelist in me can’t help but tell out my soul. 

Stewardship itself refers to the careful management and responsible   use of the resources that are in our care. That includes many aspects of our   lives such as financial, time, resources, individual talents, our family and   our role in the community in which we live. Stewardship is   the understanding that everything we have is a gift from God entrusted to us   to be properly used that allows us to grow in our faith with God. To us,   Faith and Stewardship walk hand in hand in our daily lives.

Several   Sunday’s ago we heard about the parable of talents in Matthew 25:14-30 that   illustrates the importance of using our gifts and resources wisely and to   their fullest potential. In the parable, the master entrusts different   amounts to his servants. This is a good reminder to all of us that God has   given each of us a set of unique abilities and to use them for his   purpose.  In 1 Corinthians 4:2 the Apostle Paul writes. “Now it is   required of stewards that they be found   faithful”. This is the expectation that we are to be faithful stewards of all that has been entrusted to us including   our faith. 1 Peter 4:10 tells us. “As each has received a gift, use it   to serve one another, as good stewards of   God’s varied grace” This verse talks about the various gifts and talents in   the body of Christ and to use them for the benefit of others and the glory of  God

Financial stewardship is about prioritizing ones faith and values   and using ones resources to support St Matthews, to help those in need in our   community, mission work and to meet the obligations of our Church   families all in a responsible way.

I grew up fiercely unchurched.

“Fierce” is a strong word, and I don’t use it lightly.

My parents met and married in a typical Birmingham Baptist church in the late 50s. By the time I was born in 1966, they were questioning everything they had been taught in church.  My parents left the church in 1969 and never looked back, never looked for another community. I can still remember as a small child, the old white-haired deacons arguing with my father in the front yard about hellfire and brimstone.

The whole experience soured my parents on all church. When I say “fiercely unchurched” I mean there was no prayer, no poetry, no “magical thinking” in our house.  Everything had to have a practical purpose and there was no Santa Claus in the sky to intervene in our lives—it was all self-reliance and practicality.

So I wandered in the wilderness throughout my childhood, adolescence, young adulthood and all the way into early parenthood. That’s a tough place to be in the Bible Belt. I was a lonely child, who never felt like I belonged anywhere. I sensed there was more to life than self-reliance and practicality. Once my own children were born, I resolved to find a place, a church, a community, where we could belong. I know now, that I was seeking community, seeking God--I was a seeker—and God was always seeking me.

I traversed through several church communities, none of them feeling quite right. Then in my early 40s, I had a conversation with someone about my quest, and he encouraged me to consider the Episcopal Church. St. Matthew’s was less than a mile from my house, so I figured, why not?

I staggered up the steps of St. Matthew’s the very next Sunday in June 2006, right into the wide embrace of Father Steve Gruman (he hugged everybody!)—and I’ve been here ever since. Quest complete!!! To be sure, it wasn’t love at first sight—the whole liturgy thing was weird to me (stand up, sit down, oh, we are singing here…it was so confusing!), but there were several people here who learned my name, spoke to my children, learned their names, and encouraged us to participate. Most of all, Steve assured me there was NO checklist of beliefs to sign to become members.

That’s a lot of backstory, but it’s key to why I am an ardent member of this community. My trek through the wilderness and eventual path to opening the big red doors was long. It was at St. Matthew’s that I was able to bring all my questions and doubts and open myself to the deeper mysteries of living a spiritual life. It was within the safe confines of small groups, I was reassured that my sense that there was something deeper, more mystical and loving at work in the world was real, I wasn’t just imagining it. Some of you know that my seeking heart went even further and answered a call to enter ordained ministry. Despite the fact that ultimately I wasn’t able to complete the training for ordination, I still love the Episcopal Church and St. Matthew’s especially. I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to serve in other churches, and one of my biggest consolations in letting go of my dream of serving as a priest, was that I get to stay home at St. Matthew’s.

So I know what it’s like to live outside of a church community. It’s lonely and hard and sad—and many people live that way these days, or have fled from traumatic experiences in other churches or they pledge their heart and soul to their favorite sport tribe. Being part of this community has changed my life for the better in SO many ways. Listening to years of Steve’s preaching taught me about a God of grace and reconciled me to a loving God. Joining the Daughters of the King, completing EfM, serving at the altar, doing my turn on the Vestry, teaching some classes, have all enfolded me deeper in the life of the Church.

Do we disagree and sometimes hurt each other? Yes, yes we do. AND that is what it means to be IN community—we have to forgive and listen and reconcile and practice holy forgetting sometimes. We have to practice reliance on God (and not ourselves) and practice what Jesus teaches us about forgiveness.

We are not a perfect community, and not everyone finds what they are looking for here. I found a home here nearly 20 years ago, and have to continue to find my place and my work to do—it’s always evolving—and that is true for each and every one of us.

Stewardship is an annual season for you to pray and consider your place in our community. How are you showing up, contributing, doing your part of the heavy lifting?

I’ll tell you one of the ways I contribute—I set up my weekly giving through Tithely—that way my financial contribution automatically gets here whether I do in body or not. No checks, no remembering to do it, it all just happens. Think about that as the pledge cards come out this fall.

What are you doing to really be a full member of this community? There’s plenty to do and plenty of need for financial support to pay our hard-working staff, take care of our worship space AND serve the community. None of that can happen without a budget and your pledge of support.