Over $1.1 Million Raised to Date Three Campaign ...
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Columbus, Mississippi
C A M P A I G N
N E W S L E T T E R
Over $1.1 Million Raised to Date Your Participation Still Vital! With two weeks left, more than $1.1 million has been committed toward the $1.5-million How Firm a Foundation Campaign goal and $338,000 toward our annual stewardship drive. This progress comes from over 80 donors: the vestry, major donors, campaign leaders, and a responsive parish membership. This campaign calls on each of us to participate in the future of St. Paul’s through our gifts of money, so that our future gifts of time and talent may be used to greater effect. With campaign visits continuing, most members have chosen to make commitments over a three- or even five-year period. Some have given stocks that have increased in value over the years. With $400,000 needed to reach our goal, every pledge is critical to success. With more than 200 households in St. Paul’s, campaign leaders hope all will find a way to support the restoration of our firm foundation. This year, our stewardship and capitalcampaign efforts are proceeding hand in hand with very nearly all campaign donors also completing their stewardship pledge cards – a truly encouraging combination. Remember we have a number of out-of-town friends and former members who are considering campaign gifts. Said Stewardship Chairman Mickey Brislin: “Parishioners will recall that, to make this entire effort more convenient for our members, your leadership authorized the campaign callers to present the annual stewardship need as well, instead of our mailing it. “We certainly need responses to both. Through the capital campaign you have already given more than $1.1 million to tackle our overall physical-plant needs. The stewardship campaign is for money to run the church and support the diocese in the year that starts in 25 days. “Both efforts now need a strong finish.” As we go to press, total stewardship giving stands at $338,000 toward a goal of $560,000 for 2009.
3
D E C E M B E R
2 0 0 8
Three Campaign Impressions By George Hazard Three things have especially impressed me over the six years of our Strategic Planning and over the course of this fall’s How Firm a Foundation Capital Campaign. The first was the energy and interest shown by the 14 parish user-groups and ministries during the architect’s information gathering in 2005. The broad questions to them were: *What are your hopes for your ministry? *What sort of space do you need to realize those hopes? All the groups cared about what they were doing and felt the responsibility of doing it better. I was secondly impressed by the devotion of the 103 people who came to September’s neighborhood focus-group meetings. They listened to the Master Plan and, through Pete Rauchenstein’s well-tailored questionnaires, had a conversation with the vestry. (The summary of those answers ran to 20 pages.) People spoke up, wrote, and called. The differences between the Master Plan and the campaign targets show the effect of that conversation. The parish accepted its ownership and its responsibility and did not say, “I guess they know what they are doing. I will leave it alone.” As financial stewards, many others made gifts in kind that kept the Kickoff costs well below budget. Such acceptance is encouraging for our future. The energy of the user-groups and the serious attention at the focus meetings show: *People love this church fiercely. *As good Anglicans – for whom fashion is meaningless – our people want change to be explained, to be gradual, and to be in harmony with our unmatched liturgy that carries us through “the changes and chances of this mortal life,” several of which our parish has naturally experienced in recent months. (This conservatism partly explains why more people signed up to study our facilities than signed up for any
Continued on Page 3
How Firm a Foundation Campaign Executive Committee Bobby Harper Campaign Chair Fred Jones Gary Waldrop Advance Gifts Co-Chairs John Davis Martha Kirkley Willis Puckett Advance Gifts Jack White Leadership Gifts Walt & Lee Ann Starr Pacesetter Gifts John & Jennifer Brady Annis Cox Eulalie Davis Eric Dawson Parish Team Gifts Mickey Brislin Stewardship Coordinator
Day of Prayer Draws People, Reflections Twenty-six people offered prayers for the
mony, and productivity throughout the rest of the campaign,” Pam said. “I think the Day of Prayer offered several Nov. 15 Day of Prayer in the chapel. Morning things to those participating in the chapel or at Prayer and Evening Prayer bracketed the 20home. It showed the importance of the spiritual minute periods of meditation filled by friends element in the capital campaign process. It of the campaign. provided a role for any who felt that otherwise Organizer Pam Rhea said, “I was very their contribution was less valuable than they pleased with all aspects of the event. There would like,” she said. was very good participation in the prayer chain “It offered a way for people to share their itself. The participation and enthusiasm were thoughts on what St. Paul’s and their spiritual amazing.” Booklets available in the chapel contained journey mean to them. “And the Day of Prayer was a concrete prayers and reflections written by Steve Walexample of how we can all work together as lace, Lee Ann Starr, Troy and Shelly Turner, the Body of Christ in a given situation – writMartha Kirkley, Eric Dawson, Pam Rhea, ing, reading, praying, reflecting, and gathering Kelly Brown, Katharine Woods, and Eulalie for worship on a day not normally designated Davis. “My prayer is that, because of our prayers for that,” Pam said. and with God’s grace, there will be peace, har-
How Firm a Foundation Campaign during the
Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundation; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings. - Isaiah 58:12
Pam Rhea Prayer Support
As Callers, Howlands Felt Welcomed
Marian Hazard Margaret Mauldin Campaign Dinner
As campaign visitors, Bob and Debbie Howland found themselves “well received” by the families they visited on behalf of the How Firm a Foundation Capital Campaign. The families they visited had a number of questions. “They asked about allocating their tithe between annual stewardship and the capital campaign and about handicap access to the church. Some wanted to know who would repair the stained-glass windows and whether the pews would be completely refinished,” the Howlands reported. Here is the outlook in those construction areas: The current campaign contemplates no additional handicapped access to the church – the outside ramp will remain. Three companies have assessed the windows, and the proposed building committee or a special windows task force will decide how to proceed. We have recommendations ranging from the removal of 22 panels to the removal of all windows for reworking. Columbus craftsman Ed Dangerfield recommends a complete stripping, staining, and refinishing of the pews, rather than sanding and restaining them. Some pews may reveal unseen damage once they are unbolted for removal. “We absolutely agree with the basic essentials as outlined in Priority 1 of the Master Plan,” said the Howlands. “We would then hope that most of the enhancements proposed can eventually be achieved.”
George Hazard Communications Sam Kaye Memorials & Designations Jim Mauldin At Large Nora Miller Finance Fr. Jim Carlyle Rector Peter Rauchenstein Director Josh Clemons Campaign Coordinator
What’s Next for Repairs? Where do we go from here? The 2009 vestry will start answering this question once campaign pledges are complete and the vestry sees the amount of money available over the next three years for our renovations. It is likely that a building committee will be formed to match money to needs in the major areas. This committee would make recommendations to the vestry about the scope of work and possible contractors. Right now, it looks like we would use a new package unit for the heating and air-conditioning – one that would involve less construction than the underground equipment room proposed in the master plan. Along with our roof-drainage systems and all flashings, the parish hall and chapel roofs themselves need attention. Three firms have studied the church chapel windows and suggested remedies ranging from the removal of 22 panels to the removal of all the windows and their transportation to Jackson for repair. It will cost about $1,000 to strip, repair, and refinish each of our 32 pews. This is the time for the chancel extension, too, which will involve delicate work under the floor as well once the front pews are taken out. Former Junior Warden Willis Puckett put it well when he said at a campaign meeting: “We have put these things off far too long. We do not want the next generation to have to confront these maintenance needs.”
How Firm a Foundation Three Impressions, continued from Page 1 other area of Strategic Planning.) The third impression is what I will call the sweetness of so many people during the Day of Prayer and the campaign calls. Pam Rhea filled the Prayer Day booklet with thoughtful hopes from our members. During our calls, our parishioners spoke about our physical needs and gave meaningfully. Again: this church’s physical and spiritual permanence is a serious matter to everyone here. The hope of the campaign executive committee is that the visits and the campaign literature offer fresh ways of thinking about capital giving, stewardship, and how we want to live here. To be sure, making campaign visits is not characteristic of St. Paul’s. Discussion of personal donations runs counter to our local traditions and to the Episcopal reserve that brought many of us to this church. These facts were clear before the campaign. But the great majority of those asked to make the visits agreed to make them. Then our members – recognizing this vital foundational work – accepted these unusual visits with Southern graciousness, and responded. So I would say that the energy and vision of the user-groups; the serious ownership of the church shown at the focus meetings; and the kind welcomes given to the campaign callers – all do give us the spiritual foundation for the long term and are providing the means for making firm our physical foundation. In fact, the physical work we will soon plan will allow us more freedom to put our energy into using that spiritual foundation to fulfill the Summary of the Law: to love God and to show that we love our neighbor through, as Father Carlyle says, acts of love and mercy.
St. Paul’s Appreciates Campaign Participants The Campaign Executive Committee and Vestry are honored to acknowledge those members and friends of St. Paul’s who have given financial support to the campaign! As of 9:00 a.m., Thursday, December 4, 2008, more than 80 individuals, couples, and families have committed over $1.1 million (reported to the Campaign Office). The Committee realizes many members have yet to be contacted or are still considering their gift and will soon participate. S.D. & Emma Baker Al & Karen Benglen Billups-Garth Foundation John & Jennifer Brady Jack & Dot Breland Mickey & Vana Brislin Quinn Brislin Don & Beth Callaway Sid & Brenda Caradine Jim & Elizabeth Carlyle Josh & Lindsay Clemons Wortley & Jerry Cole David & Tracy Cook Bill & Annis Cox John & Carol Crowell John & Eulalie Davis Vernon Davis Eric & Evans Dawson Beau & Beth Easterling Jim & Helen Evans
Terry & Anne Freeze Kenny & Karen Frye Todd & Stephanie Gale Rachel George Robert Gilbert Vagn & Marleen Hansen Judy Hanson John & Charon Hardy Bobby & Jo Harper George Hazard Marian Hazard George Hazard III James Hazard Adelaide Henderson Jerry & Kathy Hodson Sandra Hooker Katherine Horton Robert & Debbie Howland Fred & Beth Jones Susan Jones
Martha Kirkley Ed & Frances Kuykendall Robert & Alice Lancaster Chance & Gail Laws Jeff & Sheri Lipsey Jim & Margaret Mauldin Reynolds & Karoyl McCain Robert McClanahan Tyler & Sally McShan Nora Miller Marian Montgomery Eula Nuesch Ann Palmer Steve & Bridget Pieschel Scott & Helen Pridmore Bob & Elizabeth Proffitt Willis Puckett Clyde & Pam Rhea David & Mona Sanders Will & Ginny Sanders
Claude & Elizabeth Simpson Eleanor Slaughter Ken & Bethea Smith Nancy Smith Walt & Lee Ann Starr Katie & John Thomas David & Gina Thompson Shane & Julie Tompkins Troy & Shelly Turner Gary & Jackie Waldrop Henry Weiss Thomas & Sunny Whitaker Jack & Emilie White Dorothy Widegren Jimmy & Jean Wilder Bill & Sandra Wilkerson Katharine Woods
If you have pledged and we have not included your name, please accept our apology and know that a subsequent Donor Appreciation List will be published following the campaign.
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
Non-Profit Organization U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit No. 102 Columbus, MS 39701
318 College Street Columbus, MS 39701 (662) 328-6673 www.stpaulscolumbus.com RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Loaves and Fishes Are We Open to Modern Day Miracles? All of us are familiar with the miracles of the Bible. The Old Testament tells of the parting of the sea, the tale of Jonah being swallowed by a whale, and Sarah conceiving in her old age. We know Jesus’ first miracle was that of changing water into wine at the wedding in Cana. He opened blind eyes, made the lame walk, calmed the wind and sea, and fed the 5,000. But are we open to the miraculous today? Consider the account of Jesus feeding the 5,000 and whether we might draw some present day applications in the challenge we face with our restoration and campaign plans. First – Miracles happen when there is an awareness of need. According to Mark 6, after a long day of teaching, the disciples suddenly became aware that it was dinner time and more than 5,000 people had gathered and had no food. What a setting for a miracle! Second – Miracles happen when faith is put to the test. In the account of John 6, Jesus tested the disciples’ faith. He asked them where they were going to buy food for the crowd. Perhaps he wanted to see if they would continue to trust him even though they could not see the solution. Third – Miracles happen when God is factored in. When
Andrew found a boy with some bread and fish he obviously concluded it wasn’t to feed 5,000. Andrew looked on the surface, the things we see with our natural eyes, and failed to consider what God could do. Fourth – Miracles happen when people are willing to participate. Jesus took the boy’s modest lunch, gave thanks and divided it to the twelve. He told the disciples to distribute what they had to the crowd. Jesus chose to involve his disciples and the people rather than act in a sovereign manner. God performed the miracle as the 5,000 participated! Perhaps we can see God at work at St. Paul’s in a tangible way as we consider the needs of our parish, allow our faith to be tested, ask God to reign over our finances, and willingly participate by investing a portion of our resources into continuing God’s work through this capital giving campaign.
Prayer Thought: Oh God, give us eyes to see and ears to hear the miracles occurring in our hearts and in our parish during this capital campaign.
C A M P A I G N
N E W S L E T T E R
Over $1.1 Million Raised to Date Your Participation Still Vital! With two weeks left, more than $1.1 million has been committed toward the $1.5-million How Firm a Foundation Campaign goal and $338,000 toward our annual stewardship drive. This progress comes from over 80 donors: the vestry, major donors, campaign leaders, and a responsive parish membership. This campaign calls on each of us to participate in the future of St. Paul’s through our gifts of money, so that our future gifts of time and talent may be used to greater effect. With campaign visits continuing, most members have chosen to make commitments over a three- or even five-year period. Some have given stocks that have increased in value over the years. With $400,000 needed to reach our goal, every pledge is critical to success. With more than 200 households in St. Paul’s, campaign leaders hope all will find a way to support the restoration of our firm foundation. This year, our stewardship and capitalcampaign efforts are proceeding hand in hand with very nearly all campaign donors also completing their stewardship pledge cards – a truly encouraging combination. Remember we have a number of out-of-town friends and former members who are considering campaign gifts. Said Stewardship Chairman Mickey Brislin: “Parishioners will recall that, to make this entire effort more convenient for our members, your leadership authorized the campaign callers to present the annual stewardship need as well, instead of our mailing it. “We certainly need responses to both. Through the capital campaign you have already given more than $1.1 million to tackle our overall physical-plant needs. The stewardship campaign is for money to run the church and support the diocese in the year that starts in 25 days. “Both efforts now need a strong finish.” As we go to press, total stewardship giving stands at $338,000 toward a goal of $560,000 for 2009.
3
D E C E M B E R
2 0 0 8
Three Campaign Impressions By George Hazard Three things have especially impressed me over the six years of our Strategic Planning and over the course of this fall’s How Firm a Foundation Capital Campaign. The first was the energy and interest shown by the 14 parish user-groups and ministries during the architect’s information gathering in 2005. The broad questions to them were: *What are your hopes for your ministry? *What sort of space do you need to realize those hopes? All the groups cared about what they were doing and felt the responsibility of doing it better. I was secondly impressed by the devotion of the 103 people who came to September’s neighborhood focus-group meetings. They listened to the Master Plan and, through Pete Rauchenstein’s well-tailored questionnaires, had a conversation with the vestry. (The summary of those answers ran to 20 pages.) People spoke up, wrote, and called. The differences between the Master Plan and the campaign targets show the effect of that conversation. The parish accepted its ownership and its responsibility and did not say, “I guess they know what they are doing. I will leave it alone.” As financial stewards, many others made gifts in kind that kept the Kickoff costs well below budget. Such acceptance is encouraging for our future. The energy of the user-groups and the serious attention at the focus meetings show: *People love this church fiercely. *As good Anglicans – for whom fashion is meaningless – our people want change to be explained, to be gradual, and to be in harmony with our unmatched liturgy that carries us through “the changes and chances of this mortal life,” several of which our parish has naturally experienced in recent months. (This conservatism partly explains why more people signed up to study our facilities than signed up for any
Continued on Page 3
How Firm a Foundation Campaign Executive Committee Bobby Harper Campaign Chair Fred Jones Gary Waldrop Advance Gifts Co-Chairs John Davis Martha Kirkley Willis Puckett Advance Gifts Jack White Leadership Gifts Walt & Lee Ann Starr Pacesetter Gifts John & Jennifer Brady Annis Cox Eulalie Davis Eric Dawson Parish Team Gifts Mickey Brislin Stewardship Coordinator
Day of Prayer Draws People, Reflections Twenty-six people offered prayers for the
mony, and productivity throughout the rest of the campaign,” Pam said. “I think the Day of Prayer offered several Nov. 15 Day of Prayer in the chapel. Morning things to those participating in the chapel or at Prayer and Evening Prayer bracketed the 20home. It showed the importance of the spiritual minute periods of meditation filled by friends element in the capital campaign process. It of the campaign. provided a role for any who felt that otherwise Organizer Pam Rhea said, “I was very their contribution was less valuable than they pleased with all aspects of the event. There would like,” she said. was very good participation in the prayer chain “It offered a way for people to share their itself. The participation and enthusiasm were thoughts on what St. Paul’s and their spiritual amazing.” Booklets available in the chapel contained journey mean to them. “And the Day of Prayer was a concrete prayers and reflections written by Steve Walexample of how we can all work together as lace, Lee Ann Starr, Troy and Shelly Turner, the Body of Christ in a given situation – writMartha Kirkley, Eric Dawson, Pam Rhea, ing, reading, praying, reflecting, and gathering Kelly Brown, Katharine Woods, and Eulalie for worship on a day not normally designated Davis. “My prayer is that, because of our prayers for that,” Pam said. and with God’s grace, there will be peace, har-
How Firm a Foundation Campaign during the
Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundation; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings. - Isaiah 58:12
Pam Rhea Prayer Support
As Callers, Howlands Felt Welcomed
Marian Hazard Margaret Mauldin Campaign Dinner
As campaign visitors, Bob and Debbie Howland found themselves “well received” by the families they visited on behalf of the How Firm a Foundation Capital Campaign. The families they visited had a number of questions. “They asked about allocating their tithe between annual stewardship and the capital campaign and about handicap access to the church. Some wanted to know who would repair the stained-glass windows and whether the pews would be completely refinished,” the Howlands reported. Here is the outlook in those construction areas: The current campaign contemplates no additional handicapped access to the church – the outside ramp will remain. Three companies have assessed the windows, and the proposed building committee or a special windows task force will decide how to proceed. We have recommendations ranging from the removal of 22 panels to the removal of all windows for reworking. Columbus craftsman Ed Dangerfield recommends a complete stripping, staining, and refinishing of the pews, rather than sanding and restaining them. Some pews may reveal unseen damage once they are unbolted for removal. “We absolutely agree with the basic essentials as outlined in Priority 1 of the Master Plan,” said the Howlands. “We would then hope that most of the enhancements proposed can eventually be achieved.”
George Hazard Communications Sam Kaye Memorials & Designations Jim Mauldin At Large Nora Miller Finance Fr. Jim Carlyle Rector Peter Rauchenstein Director Josh Clemons Campaign Coordinator
What’s Next for Repairs? Where do we go from here? The 2009 vestry will start answering this question once campaign pledges are complete and the vestry sees the amount of money available over the next three years for our renovations. It is likely that a building committee will be formed to match money to needs in the major areas. This committee would make recommendations to the vestry about the scope of work and possible contractors. Right now, it looks like we would use a new package unit for the heating and air-conditioning – one that would involve less construction than the underground equipment room proposed in the master plan. Along with our roof-drainage systems and all flashings, the parish hall and chapel roofs themselves need attention. Three firms have studied the church chapel windows and suggested remedies ranging from the removal of 22 panels to the removal of all the windows and their transportation to Jackson for repair. It will cost about $1,000 to strip, repair, and refinish each of our 32 pews. This is the time for the chancel extension, too, which will involve delicate work under the floor as well once the front pews are taken out. Former Junior Warden Willis Puckett put it well when he said at a campaign meeting: “We have put these things off far too long. We do not want the next generation to have to confront these maintenance needs.”
How Firm a Foundation Three Impressions, continued from Page 1 other area of Strategic Planning.) The third impression is what I will call the sweetness of so many people during the Day of Prayer and the campaign calls. Pam Rhea filled the Prayer Day booklet with thoughtful hopes from our members. During our calls, our parishioners spoke about our physical needs and gave meaningfully. Again: this church’s physical and spiritual permanence is a serious matter to everyone here. The hope of the campaign executive committee is that the visits and the campaign literature offer fresh ways of thinking about capital giving, stewardship, and how we want to live here. To be sure, making campaign visits is not characteristic of St. Paul’s. Discussion of personal donations runs counter to our local traditions and to the Episcopal reserve that brought many of us to this church. These facts were clear before the campaign. But the great majority of those asked to make the visits agreed to make them. Then our members – recognizing this vital foundational work – accepted these unusual visits with Southern graciousness, and responded. So I would say that the energy and vision of the user-groups; the serious ownership of the church shown at the focus meetings; and the kind welcomes given to the campaign callers – all do give us the spiritual foundation for the long term and are providing the means for making firm our physical foundation. In fact, the physical work we will soon plan will allow us more freedom to put our energy into using that spiritual foundation to fulfill the Summary of the Law: to love God and to show that we love our neighbor through, as Father Carlyle says, acts of love and mercy.
St. Paul’s Appreciates Campaign Participants The Campaign Executive Committee and Vestry are honored to acknowledge those members and friends of St. Paul’s who have given financial support to the campaign! As of 9:00 a.m., Thursday, December 4, 2008, more than 80 individuals, couples, and families have committed over $1.1 million (reported to the Campaign Office). The Committee realizes many members have yet to be contacted or are still considering their gift and will soon participate. S.D. & Emma Baker Al & Karen Benglen Billups-Garth Foundation John & Jennifer Brady Jack & Dot Breland Mickey & Vana Brislin Quinn Brislin Don & Beth Callaway Sid & Brenda Caradine Jim & Elizabeth Carlyle Josh & Lindsay Clemons Wortley & Jerry Cole David & Tracy Cook Bill & Annis Cox John & Carol Crowell John & Eulalie Davis Vernon Davis Eric & Evans Dawson Beau & Beth Easterling Jim & Helen Evans
Terry & Anne Freeze Kenny & Karen Frye Todd & Stephanie Gale Rachel George Robert Gilbert Vagn & Marleen Hansen Judy Hanson John & Charon Hardy Bobby & Jo Harper George Hazard Marian Hazard George Hazard III James Hazard Adelaide Henderson Jerry & Kathy Hodson Sandra Hooker Katherine Horton Robert & Debbie Howland Fred & Beth Jones Susan Jones
Martha Kirkley Ed & Frances Kuykendall Robert & Alice Lancaster Chance & Gail Laws Jeff & Sheri Lipsey Jim & Margaret Mauldin Reynolds & Karoyl McCain Robert McClanahan Tyler & Sally McShan Nora Miller Marian Montgomery Eula Nuesch Ann Palmer Steve & Bridget Pieschel Scott & Helen Pridmore Bob & Elizabeth Proffitt Willis Puckett Clyde & Pam Rhea David & Mona Sanders Will & Ginny Sanders
Claude & Elizabeth Simpson Eleanor Slaughter Ken & Bethea Smith Nancy Smith Walt & Lee Ann Starr Katie & John Thomas David & Gina Thompson Shane & Julie Tompkins Troy & Shelly Turner Gary & Jackie Waldrop Henry Weiss Thomas & Sunny Whitaker Jack & Emilie White Dorothy Widegren Jimmy & Jean Wilder Bill & Sandra Wilkerson Katharine Woods
If you have pledged and we have not included your name, please accept our apology and know that a subsequent Donor Appreciation List will be published following the campaign.
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
Non-Profit Organization U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit No. 102 Columbus, MS 39701
318 College Street Columbus, MS 39701 (662) 328-6673 www.stpaulscolumbus.com RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Loaves and Fishes Are We Open to Modern Day Miracles? All of us are familiar with the miracles of the Bible. The Old Testament tells of the parting of the sea, the tale of Jonah being swallowed by a whale, and Sarah conceiving in her old age. We know Jesus’ first miracle was that of changing water into wine at the wedding in Cana. He opened blind eyes, made the lame walk, calmed the wind and sea, and fed the 5,000. But are we open to the miraculous today? Consider the account of Jesus feeding the 5,000 and whether we might draw some present day applications in the challenge we face with our restoration and campaign plans. First – Miracles happen when there is an awareness of need. According to Mark 6, after a long day of teaching, the disciples suddenly became aware that it was dinner time and more than 5,000 people had gathered and had no food. What a setting for a miracle! Second – Miracles happen when faith is put to the test. In the account of John 6, Jesus tested the disciples’ faith. He asked them where they were going to buy food for the crowd. Perhaps he wanted to see if they would continue to trust him even though they could not see the solution. Third – Miracles happen when God is factored in. When
Andrew found a boy with some bread and fish he obviously concluded it wasn’t to feed 5,000. Andrew looked on the surface, the things we see with our natural eyes, and failed to consider what God could do. Fourth – Miracles happen when people are willing to participate. Jesus took the boy’s modest lunch, gave thanks and divided it to the twelve. He told the disciples to distribute what they had to the crowd. Jesus chose to involve his disciples and the people rather than act in a sovereign manner. God performed the miracle as the 5,000 participated! Perhaps we can see God at work at St. Paul’s in a tangible way as we consider the needs of our parish, allow our faith to be tested, ask God to reign over our finances, and willingly participate by investing a portion of our resources into continuing God’s work through this capital giving campaign.
Prayer Thought: Oh God, give us eyes to see and ears to hear the miracles occurring in our hearts and in our parish during this capital campaign.
