April 16, 2020

What is your treasure?

The Stewardship team adopted Matthew 6:21 as its 2020 campaign theme: “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” We were inspired by Sarah Craven’s sermon last summer that focused on this moving verse from Matthew. Our goal became challenging each of us to ask ourselves: What is our treasure, what are the treasures with which God has blessed us, and what are the treasures that Second Presbyterian Church offers to each of us? 

Stewardship is not just a fund-raising campaign: It is an on-going movement, where we consider the health of the church and the role that we—as stewards of the church and children of Christ—can play, to build up the church and ensure its strength for generations to come. With this in mind, our charge as a church family becomes maintaining a robust presence in our community, not only through our physical building, but also through our mission work, reaching out to the world in need. Together as the Second family, we can make certain that we are meeting the needs of each other, while offering programs that are inviting to new and prospective members.

To allow us to get to know each other better and to explore our treasures as a church family, we hosted “Meet a Member” presentations during the worship service, in preparation for Commitment Sunday, November 17. Longer-term members introduced newer members of the church who answered the questions: “What is your treasure?” What motivates you? What is important to you? Where do you put your time, your money and your energy? In addition, we published twice-weekly email reflections by members of the church family, where they shared their treasures and the important position that Christ and Second holds in their lives. The series was so popular, that we continued the presentations through year-end.

On Commitment Sunday, we hosted an Opportunity Fair after the worship service. On goal was to not only make our financial pledge but also to consider our talents and identify areas where they could best be used. Areas included Music & Worship (Music & Worship Committee and Choirs), Fellowship (Men’s Society, Book Club and Young Adults), Service (Care Team, Hospitality and Property & Grounds), Missions (Missions & Outreach, Tea Room, Hands of Christ, Walk for Water, Shaw Center, Vacation Bible School and Pride) and Discipleship (Bible Studies and Sunday School). Wonderful connections were made, as members and guests enjoyed delicious snacks and explored opportunities at Second. 

As of this writing, pledges and commitments total $241,430 from 72 family units, which is still short of our $270,000 target. Our goal is to ultimately include 100 participating families of the 175 family units and 226 members of our church. It’s not too late to pledge in support of our treasures at Second. Remember that a pledge is not a contract but a commitment to sustain the work of the church. We recognize that so many of our members make regular contributions throughout the year, which are incredibly important and extremely appreciated. Please consider converting those regular gifts into a pledge, so we may include them in the budget to enable the wonderful programs of the church. Thank you for keeping your pledges current. To date, we have received $72,357, which is actually a bit ahead of where we’d expect to be three and a half months into the year. 

We look forward to seeing you again in person, where we can celebrate our treasures as one. We are apart, but together as members of the Second Presbyterian Church family. Thank you for your support, your prayers and your stewardship.

- Rebecca and David