Stewardship Update
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CHRISTMASTIME STEWARDS
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... she gave birth to a son, her first-born. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn
–Gospel of St. Luke |
Most of us will be celebrating this Christmas with loved ones in decorated surroundings, eating sumptuous food and sharing dazzling presents. Yet, we also are very aware of the fact that some families are struddling to provide life’s basic necessities and so the extra trappings of the holidays are out of reach.
Thanks to the generosity of the parishioners at Queens combined with that of other local churches, over three hundred families will have a merrier Christmas.
Sue Donovan of the Social Justice and Concerns Committee explained that the gifts, food and money that are collected here are combined with those from the rest of the city at the Community of Christ Church on a Sunday. Monday and Tuesday are spent sorting the donations, wrapping presents and organization. On Wednesday, the recepient families come in to pick up their boxes. High school students and adults also make deliveries to those unable to come in person. By Thursday, everything is finished.
Claire Sundrup helped for the first time in 2006 and already has the the date written on her calendar for next year. She believes that participating is wonderful because you are actually doing something to immediately help others. The experience is important enough to allow her daughter, Lucy, to be absent from school for the day. Together they have sorted baskets and wrapped presents.
Libby Cerny is also a member of a multi-generational team. As a child, she attended with her mother, Peg Arnold. It was an additional treat for her, because her father was a member of Community of Christ and is was great to see people of both churches working side by side. Once she became a mother, it seemed only natural to bring along her daughter, Kylie. The importance of the event really came home to Libby one year. She was sitting with a couple who had a baby about the same age as Kylie. Their baby didn’t look as healthy as hers, nor as clean. Libby realized how blessed she had been her whole life and was so grateful that she could help others.
The annual Christmas basket program has been successful for many years. The high degree of organization and efficiency often amazes the new volunteers. and the feeling of goodwill keeps them coming back. It is a wonderful gift for all involved.
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Libby Cerny (upper left) with her mother Peg Arnold and daughter Kylie
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QUEEN'S STEWARDSHIP FAIR
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  Coming In 2008
Queen’s 2nd Annual
Stewardship Fair
February 23 and 24
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Sign up your group today
Call Wilma at the rectory 323-2916
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A CHRISTMAS PRAYER
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(by an unknown earthly author)
Dear Children,
It has come to my attention that many you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season. Maybe you’ve forgotten that I wasn’t actually born during this time of the year and that it was some of your predecessors who decided to celebrate My birthday on what was actually a time of pagan festival.
Although I do appreciate being remembered anytime.
How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own.
I don’t care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth, just
GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER
.
Now, having said that let Me go on. If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn’t allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santas and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If all My followers did that there wouldn’t be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town.
Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish: I actually spoke of that once in a teaching, explaining who I am in relation to you and what each of our tasks were. If you have forgotten that one, look up John 15: 1 - 8.
If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my wish list. Choose something from it:
1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time.
2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don’t have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.
3. Instead of writing George complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don’t you write and tell him that you’ll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up. It will be nice hearing from you again.
4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can’t afford and they don’t need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.
5. Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.
6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take his/her own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don’t know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile; it could make the difference.
7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren’t allowed to wish you a “Merry Christmas” that doesn’t keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn’t make so much money on that day they’d close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families.
8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary - especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard My name.
9. Here’s a good one. There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no “Christmas” tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don’t know them, buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Salvation Army or some other charity which believes in Me and they will make the delivery for you.
10. Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don’t do things in secret that you wouldn’t do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of mine.
Don’t forget; I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me and do what I have told you to do. I’ll take care of all the rest.
Check out the list above and get to work; time is short. I’ll help you, but the ball is now in your court. And do have a Most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love and remember:
I LOVE YOU,
JESUS
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STEWARDSHIP PRAYER
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My church is composed of people like me.
I help make it what it is.
It will be friendly, if I am.
Its pews will be filled, if I help fill them.
It will do great work, if I work.
It will make generous gifts to many causes,
if I am a generous giver.
It will bring other people into its worship and
fellowship,
if I invite and bring them.
It will be a church of loyalty and love,
of fearlessness and faith,
and a church with a noble spirit,
if I, who make it what it is, am filled with these same things.
Therefore, with the help of God,
I shall dedicate myself to the task of being all the things
that I want my church to be.
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CONTACT US
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Would you like to Nominate Someone for
Steward of the Month?
Do you have suggestions for What Should I Do?
Your ideas for future issues are welcome.
Contact the stewardship committee:
Queensstewardship@cox.net
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