The Stewardship Program at Emanuel was reorganized in May, 2001 as the need for a year-round emphasis on Stewardship was realized by the Church Council. Our education programs range across the age groups that exist within the community of Emanuel Lutheran Church, beginning with the Sunday School.Our focus is to provide an understanding of the “need of the giver to give”, through the development of our spiritual relationship with God. Our emphasis is on the relationship each of us has with our God and the need for us to respond to the blessings, grace and love that God provides to us each day, and that we should respond to that love, by giving back a portion of what God has provided to us.
The members of the Stewardship Team meet monthly in planning our activities. Our meeting time and the date of our meeting each month is published on www.Emanuelww.org. All are welcome to join us. Team members are an inclusive group made up of all ages. We are open to new ideas that fit the mission or purpose of our Stewardship Education programs.
In keeping with our purpose statement and in the development of the concept of the “need of the giver to give,” we embraced the “Consecration Sunday” program for our educational emphasis in the fall of 2001. “Consecration Sunday” was on October 21, 2001! The highlights of the program included an outside speaker on “Consecration Sunday,” followed by a catered luncheon at Evelyn’s Restaurant, with over 225 members and friends in attendance. The one service on “Consecration Sunday” was well attended, with a time provided for each of us to present an “estimate of giving card,” at the altar, for the year 2002.
Time and Abilities Sunday was on January 27, 2002. It was felt that having a separate emphasis on the need for us to volunteer our time and abilities, provided each of us with another opportunity to reflect and respond to God’s love for us. The results from this emphasis were significant! In reviewing the Time and Abilities Volunteer Forms that have been submitted, there are a great many who have volunteered their time and abilities for the first time.
The Time and Abilities Volunteer Form was reformatted this year providing for a more “inviting” look and allowing for input from those that want more information and for those who have ideas for additional ministry that could be done.
In addition, a data base program was developed which allowed us to enter the information into the database and to prepare lists that pertain to our committees, teams or functional groups. Having the information, from the Time and Abilities Volunteer Forms that you have submitted, formatted in this way will allow for us to distribute this information electronically or in hard copy. It is our hope that this will make it easier for each committee, team or functional group to recognize your interest and contact you by telephone to seek your participation.
We ask for your prayers as the Stewardship Team continues with our work. It is our hope that in our emphasis on “faith based giving” each of us will develop a closer relationship with our God as we seek to build up the Body of Christ together.
In Christ, Our Life:
The Stewardship Team of Emanuel Lutheran Church
