tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29373297.post5803480724975581016..comments2024-03-23T18:50:32.902-04:00Comments on Telling Secrets: The Eucharistic Heart of StewardshipElizabeth Kaetonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06787552280232329081noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29373297.post-25897533972292847372008-10-26T18:01:00.000-04:002008-10-26T18:01:00.000-04:00Wow Kirke - if this letter gets THAT kind of respo...Wow Kirke - if this letter gets THAT kind of response, I'll be one happy rector. Not about the money or the amount of money. Just the response. Thanks, Kirke. You give me hope. And, an idea.<BR/><BR/>Bourbon for everyone in the parish!!<BR/><BR/>WOO HOO!!!!Elizabeth Kaetonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06787552280232329081noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29373297.post-40487718231533373712008-10-26T14:57:00.000-04:002008-10-26T14:57:00.000-04:00This year I am living a little on the edge for me....This year I am living a little on the edge for me. Historically I am a "pledge lowballer"--lowball my pledge and give twice that. But something happened in the book group I am leading in our last week's meeting. We are doing the book Soultypes (I need to go post on my own blog about that, maybe today...) and somehow we got into "pledging as a form of worship" and whether that was an extrovert thing or an introvert thing.<BR/><BR/>One of the people in the group said, "You know, when I was in college, and didn't have squat, I tithed. It sure wasn't much, but I tithed. Now I have a real job and I can't seem to bring myself to tithe. What's with that, anyway?"<BR/><BR/>I went home, and got to thinking. Hell, I am the same way. I am far more generous in terms of total bucks, but when I was young, I actually did tithe. When I was making 11,000 bucks a year I tithed.<BR/><BR/>It dawned on me. It was easier to trust in God's bounty when I had none of my own. Now, I like to think it's me....<BR/><BR/>So, last night, after two stiff bourbons, I stared and stared at the pledge card. Being in practice, I never know what I really am gonna make for the year in terms of paying myself a bonus. But I do have what is at least my known salary both at the lab and with my teaching gig. I slugged down the last of the 2nd bourbon, said, "Oh, WTF--let's have some adventure in my life." I wrote down 10% of my salary with the thought that I would tithe any bonus I paid myself, in a year where I feel as economically nervous as any I've ever had.<BR/><BR/>I decided I wanted to get back in touch with that 22 year old who without blinking, handed over $1100 of that 11,000. Today, I am laughing that I lost my friggin' mind!Kirkepiscatoidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02651684515435040529noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29373297.post-16568031336785653782008-10-26T13:28:00.000-04:002008-10-26T13:28:00.000-04:00This is a year we can confidently increase our ple...This is a year we can confidently increase our pledge. It will be at the expense of the 40, er 30, er 20, ok 101k. But that is alright, I figure to work till I die anyway. ;-)<BR/><BR/>FWIW<BR/>jimBJimBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17312606954135884910noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29373297.post-27669592312274490742008-10-26T02:54:00.000-04:002008-10-26T02:54:00.000-04:00Add me to those who read it and believed it, Eliza...Add me to those who read it and believed it, Elizabeth. <BR/><BR/>Despite what's happening to my salary [flat-lined] and 401(k)[plummeting], I intend to increase my parish pledge ... for all the kinds of reasons you mention here.Lisa Foxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00881671380217888810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29373297.post-79686378371515246592008-10-25T20:31:00.000-04:002008-10-25T20:31:00.000-04:00Oh, child, I wish I could claim to be that intenti...Oh, child, I wish I could claim to be that intentional. It was decided upon by the Stewardship Committee and I don't mess with the work of the laity - especially when it has to do with their money.Elizabeth Kaetonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06787552280232329081noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29373297.post-56827042317830562172008-10-25T20:27:00.000-04:002008-10-25T20:27:00.000-04:00You realize I am chuckling b/c the expatriate LCMS...You realize I am chuckling b/c the expatriate LCMS in me needs to remind you that you are kicking off your stewardship campaign on Reformation Sunday--the classic week da Lootrans do it!<BR/><BR/>(But we are doing the same thing at my church, too, so I'll shut up...)Kirkepiscatoidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02651684515435040529noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29373297.post-21652775403991942872008-10-25T20:11:00.000-04:002008-10-25T20:11:00.000-04:00The eucharistic heart-- oh my, that is amazing. Yo...The eucharistic heart-- oh my, that is amazing. Your words here are quite stirring and great use of symbols!<BR/><BR/>You done good Elizabeth - now you can but wait. IFranhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07181529277715646835noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29373297.post-86591027635774706702008-10-25T19:35:00.000-04:002008-10-25T19:35:00.000-04:0016!! Whew! I feel better already.16!! Whew! I feel better already.Elizabeth Kaetonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06787552280232329081noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29373297.post-1947869492810983842008-10-25T18:46:00.000-04:002008-10-25T18:46:00.000-04:00You can now count 16 people who have read your ste...You can now count 16 people who have read your stewardship letter! Loved the 2 chambers in the Eucharistic Heart....I'm sure the parishioners will be moved to give generously and graciously during this time of radical harvesting....ROBERTAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09130103117335080071noreply@blogger.com