We have been hearing a lot in our about generosity this summer, through our Sunday readings and in many of my sermons. One quote that we haven't talked about is from the prayer of St. Francis of Assisi, which says "It is in giving that we receive."

        Anyone who has ever done regular volunteer work for any length of time will tell you that they always receive much more than they feel they have given, through the interactions, relationships, appreciation, and sense of accomplishment that come from being generous with one's time.

        Generous benefactors, who give large sums of money, will tell you that the satisfaction of doing something important with the gifts that they have so freely received far outweighs the payout.

        And from our readings and sermons, it seems that generosity helps us to be less fearful that our needs won't be met, helps us to trust God's grace more, and makes us more compassionate as human beings. We receive so much more than we have given as the result of being generous.

        The theme of this year's pledge campaign is "Extravagant Generosity," a program based on Methodist Bishop Robert Schnase's groundbreaking book Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations, which promises to make you think about giving in a whole new light.

        Throughout the campaign, which will kick off on Sunday, September 22 with a brunch after the 10 a.m. service, we will hear stories from parishioners about their experience of giving, and ways that generosity has transformed their faith. The culmination of this focus on stewardship will be with "Joyful Sunday", when parishioners will be asked to bring to the altar their pledges for the 2014 year, but also their hearts, as we recommit ourselves to the ministries God is calling us to do.

        Our parish leaders who are heading up the campaign are hoping for increased participation in pledging for the coming year, because these pledges allow us to make better decisions about next year's budget, as well as the level of commitment of our parishioners. It is also a Vestry goal to decrease our dependence as a parish on the endowment fund, from which we are currently drawing an unsustainable 5 percent each year.

        When you receive your pledge card, which will be in the form of a brochure entitled "Extravagant Generosity", we hope that you will consider prayerfully and with gratitude God's gifts to you, responding generously, and increasing your pledge as a token of your commitment to St. Luke's future ministries.

                                                Madre Liz 

The Rt. Rev. R. William Franklin, Bishop of Western New York

 The Rev. Elizabeth Simmons, Interim Rector 

 The Rev. Cathleen Smith, Deacon 

   Miguel Covarrubias, Youth Minister

 Kim Johnstone Mann, Secretary/Administrator  

Barbara Bumsted, Director of Adult Formation

Andrew Schmidt, Organist & Choirmaster 

Paul Johnson and Linda Dawson, Wardens.

Office: 410 North Main St., Jamestown NY 14701 

http://www.stlukesjamestown.org