Making Ministry Happen at St. Paul's: Stewardship and Giving

Sunday, October 2
The Rt. Rev. Larry Maze joins us to preach and offer an adult education session. Plan to hear Bishop Maze and to pick up your Annual Giving packet, including pledge cards and helpful information about pledging.

The Rt. Rev. Larry Maze, Bishop of Arkansas, Retired preaching at St. Paul's on October 2

How St. Paul's Changes Lives

Testimonies

"My heart is filled with gratitude"

By Theresa McCullough

When asked why St. Paul’s is important to my family and me, I reflected on how the reasons have changed since first coming to the church about four years ago. I was raised in a large Catholic family, one of nine children, and attended Catholic school from first through twelfth grade. For many years, I struggled with the Catholic Church’s inability to address certain concerning (!) issues. My husband and I were very ready to find a church community more aligned to our beliefs and one we could participate in as a family for years to come. Our friends, John Frazee and Cindy Cartwright, suggested that we visit St. Paul’s. From our first service, there were amazing things waiting for us!! We were elated to see a woman priest on the altar celebrating the Mass and to know that the priests at this church could enjoy the blessings of married life. As important, we found what we had been seeking - an open-minded and inclusive faith community embracing all racial and ethnic backgrounds and sexual orientations.

Since that first service, the importance of St. Paul’s has grown deeper for me. These three qualities found at St. Paul’s are now essential in my life: a quiet, calm space for prayer and reflection, the love and support from cherished friendships and from the faith community as a whole, and opportunities to give back to those in need.
Sunday mornings, St. Paul’s becomes my quiet, calm space for reflection. In my noisy and often chaotic home (an understatement), I find it difficult, if not impossible, to find time and space for contemplation. St. Paul’s provides for me a beautiful, sacred space where I can reflect on the past week, the week ahead, and what’s happening in my family, community, and the world. One might think that this can be achieved at most, if not all, houses of worship. However, the reasons that it exists for me at St. Paul’s are specific to our church. I find it in the generous, kind, and open energy of Iris and Tony Potter as I drop our children at church school. I am often lucky enough to feel or see the quiet spirit of John Reid as I make my way past the offices. Finally, I am calmed further by Pam Dennison, who provides a serene and reliable welcome to me each week. These four people, as well as many others, and their dedication to our church community inspire me and I am filled with gratitude for their unique spirit.

Another reason I LOVE St. Paul’s is all the people I LOVE at St. Paul’s. We have developed many wonderful friendships in the last four years and I depend on these bonds for support and understanding each week. I feel extremely blessed to have connected with many women in a weekly Bible Study here and I can’t imagine my life without these open-hearted, strong, and compassionate friends! I look forward to building on these bonds and beginning countless other relationships in the years ahead.

Last but certainly not least, I am so thankful for the opportunities at St. Paul’s to give back. For a few years, I have volunteered as a teacher in my children’s classes in the church school and have truly enjoyed the chance to learn from and grow with St. Paul’s children and young adults. I am blessed to know and support Brenda Peterson in the giving ministry of Friends in Deed. I feel fortunate to be a small part of such a compassionate and caring group within our church community that is always willing to reach out to another. I am grateful for the opportunity on the first Thursday of each month to volunteer with spirited, funny, and generous men and women from St. Pauls’ who gather with our fearless leader Marsha Trimble to prepare and serve a meal at the Salvation Army. I truly enjoy all these different communities at St. Paul’s and have received far more than I have given in my work with each one of them.

My heart is filled with gratitude for these and countless other blessings at St. Paul’s (especially Jim, Ann, Heather, and Nick!). Thank you for allowing me to share a few with you.

Testimonies Archive

your Annual Giving Team: Gwynn Crichton, Chair; Jane Butler, Meg McIntire, Brian Fuller, Andy Guffey, Virginia Ritchie, Charles Lancaster, Darren Ball, Tara Little, Sally Humphrey

THE VESTRY'S PLEDGE

Making Stewardship a Commitment of Ministry