Stewardship Ministries

“God has the power to provide you with more than enough of every kind of grace. That way, you will have everything you need always and in everything to provide more than enough for every kind of good work.” II Corinthians 9:8.
Grace in the Biblical sense, is defined as: “Acceptance and good will, regardless of whether we’ve earned it – unmerited favor.”

When I think about the many blessings and kindnesses that have been freely given to me throughout my life, I am humbled by the generosity of God, friends and those I have known, even on a peripheral level.

I know we all have heard the expression, “pay it forward.” I know of no better place to initiate such action than at St. James. In the short time I have been a parish member here, I have seen grace in action channeled through the clergy, parish staff and parish members who selflessly minister to so many.

Let us all ponder the graces that we have been provided and commit to “paying it forward.”

My wife, Lee, and I have been members of St. James for 45 yrs. I have been active in many ways at St. James including vestry ( Sr. Warden ), stewardship chairman, Cursillo, music ministry, and various Outreach efforts, i.e. the Home Repair Ministry and many youth mission trips. Our theme this year of “every kind of Grace” resonates with us as St. James has provided the foundation of love, acceptance and support over the years. This has been especially apparent with my recent health setback, as I am convinced that the power of prayer has been a major factor in my recovery. I am so humbled and grateful!!

Stewardship has always been a driving force in our thinking and I believe it is the main work of the church. A steward is someone who takes care of or manages someone else’s property or affairs. In Christianity it is a fundamental belief that all that we have…our lives, our time, our talents and our material resources are gracious gifts from God and that our faithful response to God can be measured by how we manage those gifts. It is not enough, however, to just say that we believe those things. We know that if we don’t ACT on that belief we find ourselves owned and controlled by our gifts rather than being faithful people using the gifts for the benefit of God’s Kingdom. It is our responsibility to share our gifts with others in order to nourish those less fortunate than ourselves.

The growth and success of St. James over the years is truly amazing and exciting. We are blessed to have a parish family that provides “every kind of Grace” that is needed to continue our Spiritual journey.

God has the power to provide you with more than enough of every kind of grace. That way, you will have everything you need always and in everything to provide more than enough for every kind of good work. (2 Corinthians 9:8)
Three years ago when I moved here, I felt battered from a series of bruising setbacks in my personal and professional life. As a California housing divorce refugee, I had spent two months location-scouting around the Southeast looking for affordable housing and a decent quality of life. I could hardly believe my “luck” when three weeks after focusing on this area, I signed a purchase agreement on a new home in April. In the months waiting for the house to be built, I kept half-expecting for the other shoe to drop. Nevertheless, I closed escrow in August and moved in.

The next week I commenced church shopping, and St. James was my first stop. And while the air conditioning was frigid, the welcome was warm. I spent the next few months settling in and looking around. For quite a while, I felt like a stranger in a strange land. But the following January, I decided to make St. James my church home. An excellent music program and friendly parishioners were prerequisites for my choice. I joined the choir and have relished not only the music but also the added spiritual benefit. (“He who sings prays twice.” -St. Augustine) As a lector, I have felt honored to bring the word of God to life for the congregation. And when the St. James Players was formed and a casting call made, I answered and discovered a whole new arena of creativity to explore.

I could go on about the superlative preaching, the jewel box of the nave, the poetic beauty of the liturgy. All the above and more makes me feel very grateful to have found St. James and its wonderful people. When I process down the aisle on Sunday I love catching the eye of new friends. With God and St. James by my side, I’ve only just begun this latest chapter of my life.

“God has the power to provide you with more than enough of every kind of grace. That way, you will have everything you need always and in everything to provide more than enough for every kind of good work.” 11 Corinthians 9:8.

I begin each morning and end each evening with a short silent prayer “Lord, please help me to remember that nothing can happen to me, that you and I together, can’t handle”.

I first learned this prayer from an Irish priest, visiting a Roman Catholic parish on Long Island, during the late 1970s from the Irish Republic, when his homeland was experiencing a significant turmoil and violence during the “Troubles.”

I draw great strength from these words, in good times and bad. They give me the strength to always remember that with God’s help, I can challenge adversity, and they also allow me to recall the many blessings that God has showered upon me.

As I reflect on these words, “God has the power to provide you with more than enough of every kind of grace” I begin to think about my personal history at St James Episcopal Church. I was born into a very active Methodist family in Charlotte. When we settled here in 1978, I knew I wanted to raise my children in a church family, thus I was looking around. We became a part of this church in the fall of 1982 and it has been my spiritual home as well as a place of friendship and love since those early days. When I reflect through the years I’ve been here, several times stand out for me.

I raised three children in this church and I am thankful for the spirit of acceptance they received. It helped in forming their early years. I’m grateful they knew this as their home church, which was a specific “kind of grace in my life”.

During the years I was going through tough times, I was blessed by God’s grace in a multitude of ways. I found St James is a great place to feel needed and useful! The fellowship and love provided by St James has been the core of my own spiritual foundation. God has blessed me with this amazing Christian family, for which I’m forever grateful!

Getting married in your 60s is a hoot after each having been single for almost two decades. During our courtship, Lou and I shared openly about our faith and were amazingly surprised that Methodists and Catholics had so much in common. I went to public schools and had always been a member of small Methodist churches wherever I lived, eventually feeling like I knew everyone around me. During those years, I served as a Sunday school teacher, youth director, lay leader and was involved in several other committees. Lou went to Catholic schools and large Catholic churches so, to me, that was a little scary. However, it was a joint decision that our first priority after calling Hendersonville our home was to find a church where we’d both feel our beliefs, needs, and opportunities to serve others were being met.

While visiting sites in town, we asked neighbors and others for recommendations and from there attended several great churches, but we just felt like they weren’t quite what we needed. So, we went to YouTube and one Sunday God blessed us with St. James. David’s messages were amazing and gave us a look in different ways at passages we had read a hundred times. The church’s mission statement — Welcome All. Love All. Serve All. — went straight to our hearts. On our first visit, we were warmly welcomed and the next Sunday not only David but also several members welcomed us and knew our names. God has always blessed us and His grace continues to amaze me. I have always said that God takes such good care of me that I don’t know how He has time for everyone else. We truly feel like St. James was where God wanted us to be. Joining Saint James, for us, felt like Goldilocks when she first tasted Baby Bear’s porridge.

I shared all of this because I know how important it is to become part of a church family. God’s grace spills out over all of us. He has given each of us gifts to share and a unique part to play. When a need for a project feels unattainable, our faith in God’s grace leads us to step forward to do his will with no fear. God will provide all our needs! During this time of stewardship, it gives us time to reflect on the multiple blessings and grace God has supplied. Everything we have is because of his love for us and others. As we share our blessings, we do his will not only by sharing our finances but also our talents and love.

The ministries and outreach programs are for all. St. James not only leads us in our continual spiritual growth but also helps us to find ways to be God’s hands on earth. God’s grace is evident in Saint James through the involvement and generosity of the congregation, dedication of clergy and staff, and the beautiful and inciteful messages delivered each week.
We contribute financially to Saint James to help support the viability of this church and the many worthwhile missions that support and positively impact this community and beyond. We both volunteer at the Thrift Store and feel that this is a rewarding ministry, providing additional financial support for the community.

I read this in a lesson this week: “We are who we are, because we know Whose we are.” God’s grace empowers us to serve others. Thanks be to GOD! 1 Peter 4:10: “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”

Luke 12:48 has been like a watchword or rule of life for me: “…From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and from the one to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be demanded.” For much of my life, service and giving – whether to church, community or country – was done from a sense of duty. It was expected or was the right thing to do. But I came to the unexpected realization that I was being blessed by giving and serving others. That makes service and giving a joy and you want to do more. Generosity becomes a response to God’s love and grace — a cycle of giving, grace and gratitude. In 2 Corinthians 9:7, Paul writes that “…God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance…”

So it follows that what I love about St. James is that there are so many opportunities to serve and the community is so encouraging. There’s no exclusive group to belong to in order to act on your desire to serve others and give thanks to God. I give of my time, talent and treasure because I want the ministries of St. James to flourish. No gift or service is too small or insignificant.

Jesus said “Feed my Sheep.” St. James has let me help keep the feed trough in good shape. I am amazed by and support all of the outreach work we do, but have found my Dream Job here in the fix up the building department. Our building is where we gather to worship, learn, share, get support, and plan our outreach. Adding Corey Smith to our staff was aided by our fixing up the Cox House. Our Hospitality folks have an efficient kitchen. We change lightbulbs. So, I guess keeping the place painted and the sidewalks smooth is an important part of feeding God’s sheep.

-Tom Cramer

After moving here in 2012, I started attending St. James Episcopal after a long absence from the church. Our previous experience did not work well, and eventually, we just quit going. St. James was…and still is…quite the opposite, thanks be to God indeed! The Church is one of the most beautiful I have ever attended and there are more manifestations of love visible in our congregation than any church I have ever attended. As a people person and a professional photographer, I have a keener observation and appreciation of this than most people, and I am greatly pleased to be a part of it now.

Father Joel Hafer introduced me to others, and I loved his sermons. My attendance grew from only going occasionally to going eagerly in anticipation every Sunday. When Father Joel announced his retirement, I was jolted and saddened. I shook his hand and said, “Father Joel, you brought me back into the church!” He smiled as he replied, “Then, keep coming!”

That Fall when the call for volunteers to run for election to the Vestry, I decided to put my name in the hat for the first time. During my career I had considerable experience in recruiting and interviewing people, not only in business but in volunteer organizations, so I felt that I might be able to help in the selection of his replacement. The search process was amazing, and I truly felt that the Holy Spirit was with us all throughout the lengthy discernment and consideration. I am enormously grateful for having had the honor and privilege of being able to play a small part in that spiritual experience. Throughout the process, we walked in love with each other. I see that happening consistently as my spiritual journey at St. James continues, together with so many old and new friends. With Father David’s background in journalism, he easily saw the potential for using photography not only on our website, but in social media, church email notices, annual reports, and much more. So, I had finally found a way to use my photographic skills to make a meaningful contribution to my church. I am proud of the church and its work in the community, glad to be using my photojournalism to help to fully portray the church to others, and I deeply love this church and my fellow parishioners.

-Bob Coffey

I am honored to be a member of St. James. Our sign out front beckoned me here when I first arrived. It reads “Welcome all. Love all. Serve all through Christ”. This is a mighty mission which unfolds here steadily. I can feel and see divine love unfolding. Why? Because of the generosity of those who came before us and those of us now attending St. James, abundant giving of ourselves and our treasure is evident. You can feel it when you enter this holy place. This means St. James meets our commitments to our facilities, our community, and those in the world.

There was a time in my younger years when lack of love and means were common. One night I was reading the twenty-third Psalm and the second line was like neon lights! Yes, the “Lord is my shepherd”, but the second line imprinted on me-“Thou shall not want!” My understanding of this phrase and my life changed that night. I believed it then. I marvel and expect this truth to extend for all of us and God’s work.

How does this unfold at St. James? We will have all we need in the form that we need. Of course this means we must, I must, own this truth and give generously to St. James. “We will walk in love together.”Ephesians 5:2.

As we commit generously to St. James again this year, St. James can commit to our mighty mission to “Welcome all, Love All, Serve All through Christ.”

Martha Johnson

There is a beginning but there is no end. Love starts from the time of birth. You don’t know it yet, but as you are picked up as a baby, love, smiles, kisses, cuddling and warmth have surrounded you. When you smile back, and when you as a baby throw your arms around your mom’s neck, love has entered into your heart. The love has been ingrained as you grow.

Now love takes many forms. You may love someone, you may love the outdoors, you may love your pet, you may love the morning dew and the evening sunset, you may love to smell the fragrance of a yellow rose, and surely you may even walk in love.

But for this, let’s use the love of our church, St. James, and the gifts that God has granted to us of our time, talent, and treasure. You gain from love as you give love in any form.

The last words Sally and I said to each other before she died: I love you.

Remember it all started at birth. As you walk in love, it will continue into eternity–love without end.

-Gordon Ludwig

St. James has always been a sacred place to me. From the moment I entered the building with the beautiful European architecture, stained glass windows, pipe organ and the bell tower, I felt closer to God than ever before. We are blessed with a wonderful staff who are always cheerful and ready to serve, not just St. James, but the entire community. David, our Rector; Tim, our Deacon; and Corey, our Curate give the best sermons I have ever heard. I would not want to leave out Brad Gee, our Organist, and our wonderful choir who bless us each week with glorious music. In fact, their music is what first drew my husband Mike and me to St. James.

The people of St. James who volunteer tirelessly in the Thrift Shop, Feeding the Kids, The Hunger Walk, the Wednesday Work Crew and all those who serve on the Vestry and all the different committees are all so dedicated to doing a great job and serving God and the people of Hendersonville. I watch every Sunday as people bring food to be distributed to those in need. I am so happy to be part of a church who gives back to the community.

We have received so many blessings in life from God and giving back to Him both momentarily and through serving in different ways in our church is our way of showing our love for God and St. James and being stewards of all we have received from Him.

-Cynthia McVean

As I approach another birthday I have found myself reflecting on my life and what has influenced and helped shape the person that I am. A loving family, siblings, community, education, travel, friendships, mentors, etc have all served an integral part but at the center is my church. Shortly after moving to Hendersonville, our family joined St. James. I was six at the time and my parents immediately got me and my younger brothers involved in church activities. From those early years to the present I have served as an acolyte, choir member, carpenter club member, chalice bearer, vestry member and lay eucharistic minister. I have attended and been involved with countless weddings, funeral services and special celebratory services at St. James. I have shed tears and clapped at times but in the end, have experienced these emotions in a place where I have always felt solace, protection and spiritual nurturing. My parents are no longer here but I am grateful to them for instilling in me the importance of having a God centered life and carrying on their legacy of supporting God’s work through our special church. The growth that St. James is experiencing in membership and spiritual outreach is beyond exciting. With all of the negative issues we are having to experience within our communities and world, it’s comforting for me to know that when I walk through any door at St. James, I can continue to feel I’m home and protected by God’s spiritual presence.

-Tom Marshall

Ephesians 5:2 says, “Walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Considering this verse as we looked back at our faith journey, we came to realize that our “walk in love” has been guided by the commitments that we have made to the church over the past 48 years.
When we got married, we made a commitment to attend church regularly. Thanks to the example set for us by our parents as well as role models in the church, we became involved in Sunday School and began serving on church committees. When our children were born we made a commitment to raise them in the church – leading to further commitments as Sunday School teachers, youth leaders, VBS workers, etc., etc….

As soon as the dust settled from our move to Hendersonville two years ago, we made it a priority to find a church home in our new community. We visited several churches, but after attending only two services at St. James, we felt led to become members here and to continue to strive to serve the church with our prayers, our presence, our service, and yes, our gifts. It is important to make a financial commitment as well as those other commitments, because without our gifts the missions of the church, the services provided by the church, and the physical running of the church could not continue. Think for a moment about your personal pattern of giving. If everyone in the church gave as you do, would our church thrive, barely survive or wither away?
As we strive to “walk in the way of love” let us consider a quote from Ann Frank. She wrote in her diary, “No one has ever become poor by giving”. Let us all make a commitment to show our love through our prayers, our presence, our service and our gifts to St. James Episcopal Church.

-Bob and Kathryn McCartha