100%

Greetings Everyone:

In the gospel reading from the lectionary texts appointed earlier this week Jesus says that the Kingdom of God may be compared to a grain of mustard seed which was planted in a garden and then grew and became like a tree; and the birds of the air made nests in its branches.

In many ways this is my hope for us – for St. George's Episcopal Church – that we are like a seed that has been planted and is becoming a tree, something quite unimaginable compared to what it was, but something wonderful and surprising and amazing – from bird seed to a bird's nest! I don't know if Jesus intended this irony but what he tells us is that left unplanted seeds of the kingdom are just bird food. But planted, cared for and cultivated these seeds become an aviary – a home for birds - wow. God is sure something

One of my favorite Tom Waits songs says that "We're all chained to the world and everybody's gotta pull." I think that line works for the church too, and is like the "Crew Only" sign that a wonderful Bishop named Mark Dyer says should be posted over the entrance to every church. This is why the name for our Stewardship Campaign this year is 100%. We need 100% participation to grow God's Kingdom at St. George's.

What does that mean? That means come to church as often as you can. That means joining our newly formed men or women's group, our choir, our lay readers, lay Eucharistic ministers, our office volunteers, our altar guild, EDOLA Saturdays, and on and on! Please come to the ministry fair this Sunday and you can learn about the many things you can do to help us become the aviary God wants us to be.

It also means committing to come to one of the upcoming forums held at the church, and returning your pledge card on or before commitment Sunday on November 16. Each of you will be getting a call from a member of the Vestry or the Stewardship Committee in the next few days. They will be asking you which forum you would like to attend as well as answering any questions you have about why your pledge is important.

Blessings to 100% of you, thanks, and may God bless and keep you.

Jim