Annual Giving—A Changing Vista

Paul Carew, Junior Warden

A few days ago a friend and fellow parishioner asked me a very pointed question about this fall's Annual Giving Campaign: “What happened to the Every Member Canvass?” Having known this person for a number of years, I think he felt this was a classic example of my long-standing penchant for tinkering with names and titles — like the Renault automobile commercial of years past. I suspect there is a bit of truth to this friendly assertion, however, this change of title reflects the parish's evolving vision of stewardship.

For many of us, the Every Member Canvass has been an event that began with a sermon or two followed by the delivery of a packet or envelope that included a pledge card to be filled out and returned. Task completed. But stewardship is much greater than completing and mailing in one's pledge card, important as that process is. Stewardship is the act of using the gifts God has given us to do the work He has called us to do. As I mentioned in a previous article, a thoughtful way to view stewardship is through the seasons of the year and I feel it is worthwhile repeating.

• Spring (Your Call) — Have you discovered God's call to you? What are your God-given talents? What are you called to do at the Chapel of the Cross?
• Summer (Your Self) — Have you taken care of your spiritual needs? Taking care of yourself is also an act of stewardship. Have you thought of attending a spiritual retreat?
• Fall (Your Thanks) — Have you inventoried the gifts you have been given? What is it about the Chapel of the Cross that makes it important in your life?
• Winter (Your Future) — Have you planned your future and taken care of your responsibilities and last needs? Have you discerned your lasting commitment to others?

Annual Giving is a reflection of our spiritual journey throughout the year rather than the single event associated with the Every Member Canvass. It gives us the opportunity to express the importance of the Chapel of the Cross in our lives through our generosity of time, talent, and treasure and permits us a broader vision of our calling to do God's work in our community—it gives us a feeling of accomplishment through all the seasons of the year.