Stewardship

From the Stewardship Chairman…

Dear Clergy and Fellow Parishioners:

   I write to you today because we have a budget shortfall. We do not have enough money to call a new rector in the immediate future even if the search committee finds the perfect candidate tomorrow. Having stated this, I still write with a glad and joyful heart. I wish to share with you a little about me and my vision for the church. It is my hope that I can facilitate a dialogue about stewardship among us and that through our collective efforts and prayers we will triumph and become the people that God is calling us to be.
   I was disheartened when I learned that my mother was leaving St. Augustine’s. I am business partners with my father, and I considered several options including moving to Macon. But Michelle and I are happy in Augusta and at St. Augustine’s and we decided we would stay. Many of you asked me if I was going to remain here and I appreciate your kind words when I assured you that I was. I think it was necessary for Harriette to leave for me to feel comfortable taking a larger leadership role at our church. But I admit that I approached last winter’s Vestry planning conference with a sense of dread. My energy was sapped and my enthusiasm was low. Sr. Ellen Francis helped me change my sour tune after one planning session. She is so organized, so able to take many different parts, break them down and put them back together in a manner that is systematic and neat. Largely thanks to her leadership, I felt full of passion and joy that weekend. She is a true blessing to our congregation.
   My prayer for our church is that every Sunday will resemble Easter Sunday, with the pews packed, the singing loud, and the church grounds so beautiful. We have so much to be thankful for at St Augustine’s. There are many wonderful things happening here. In just the past couple of years, we’ve added a healing service, a prayer ministry, a men’s Bible study, an evening study group, Advent and Lenten series, an antiques show, Vacation Bible School, and a chrismon ministry. And these new ministries are in addition to all of the other ministries and events that we host including: worship, pastoral care, Christian education, youth activities and trips, outreach, and special events such as Mardi Gras, Oktoberfest, and the Easter Brunch. In my vision, we do not fret over money but look for ways to use our abundance of money to support our many ministries.
   I’m honored to be a member of St. Augustine’s and am proud of us all as we look forward to our 50th anniversary. Our next rector will be fortunate to lead a church that has so many things to offer. I know that we will overcome this temporary setback. It is my desire that we come together as a parish to meet the current needs. I ask you to indulge my writing to you out of the traditional Stewardship season and hope that you will speak to me with your concerns. More importantly, I hope that we will discuss these matters between ourselves in a Godly manner, full of friendship and with a sense of richness and not scarcity.

Thanks Be to God!

David