In collecting my thoughts together on the subject of stewardship, I came across such words as: Taking care of/managing/protecting/being responsible for/to shepherd and safeguard/to be the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one’s care.

We at St George's have now become part of those many footsteps, named and unnamed. We have been entrusted with the continuing journey of faith in this place. To do so is an honour and a responsibility, and with that responsibility comes the nitty gritty of all that involves. 

As I walk around the grounds of the Church, I see the majesty of the trees, enjoy their shade and hear the creation that inhabits them.

I feel the history of the place. I think and reflect on the footsteps of many who have responsibly loved and maintained St George's space. I respectfully give thanks to those that have been the stewards, to acknowledge the work and planning that has preserved and grown St George's.

I am not one that enjoys talks about finances, just ask my husband! His work life was such. His eyes light up when talking about finances, and mine might glaze over!  But, when it come to crunch time, time to make a decision, I do knuckle down, do my homework and address the situation in hand.

I, indeed we, are confronted with the idea of dollars and cents to keep the lights on, and provide salaries and to ensure a safe, clean and functioning place to gather in.

At Parish Council, we were asked the question: Why do we pledge money to our Church? 

The replies ranged from: 

A place for future focus of new ministries and ideas; For the Church to survive as a place to come to; To feel the presence of the Holy Spirit in the community; For the sense of worship; For the music; For the Holden services; For the variety of worships available; A giving of time, energy and hard work; People being engaged and making connections at coffee time; Being thankful for blessings received.

The conversations reflected that we come to this space as a community to refresh, renew, to be at peace, to be still, and that the ritual and renewal was a corner stone for a safe place of reflection. It is an opportunity to review the past week, and ask for strength to take on what the next week might bring. As our prayers go out to the greater community, we know that one small stone thrown into the water can send out many ripples into the world.

I can say that I have done my share of “off loading” at the altar…. and I have been so grateful for this space and stillness to shuffle through my thoughts.

To pray, cry, laugh and give thanks in this place we have to be the Stewards…... To take care of this space for ourselves…. yet to plan for the future of the Church community, and the greater community, as we hear the footsteps that follow us.

To do that, we need to plan a budget and make decisions on dollars and cents, so I ask you to prayerfully consider your pledge for this up coming year as we walk together in the footsteps of those who have already done the same for us. 

I cannot end without sending out a shower of thanks to Laurence our Treasurer, for guiding us, and keeping us informed of our ongoing budgets.

We give thanks for those who went before and guided us, for those that cannot be here today but moulded us, and for those yet to come. This ancient, aching Love of God will always roll on, and we need to ensure the physical and spiritual space is available for those to find a gentleness to grow, and to share, and find the strength and love of Christ in the Peace of these surroundings, called St George’s.

Rosamund Soares