Stewardship and the Continuum of GraceMy first paid job was to collect garbage one summer when I was ten years old. That summer, my father was on sabbatical on the Isle of Iona in Scotland. While my father and mother were enrolled in a program at the local abbey, my seven-year-old brother and I were left to entertain ourselves while safely trapped on the island.
To facilitate our productivity and to promote goodwill with the locals, my father created a work-study program for my brother and me. For each piece of garbage we collected on the island, he would reward us with one half of one pence. While not fully aware of the relative value of the British currency as it related to the price of a candy bar or ice cream, I did grasp that an island beautification campaign could be a windfall. Each day, then, we hunted for garbage and each afternoon we counted our trove that was measured toward our weekly payout. In hindsight, I recognized my father’s motives were twofold. First, he knew that we needed something to fill a good portion of the time we were alone to mitigate apathy, fisticuffs, or both. Secondly, he was teaching us the importance of stewardship. Growing up the son of an Episcopal priest, I heard my father often refer to stewardship. Never fully understanding the depth of the term, I came to the conclusion at some point in my childhood that it was about money. But as I grew into adolescence, I started to be exposed to stewardship in a broader context. Listening to music by The Grateful Dead, Jackson Browne, and Bob Dylan, I began to think about the environment as something that must be cared for. Perhaps, I wondered, this is why I was picking up garbage for hours each day on Iona and that the act of caring was the larger lesson behind stewardship. Stewardship is about caring for what has been entrusted to us. When I was a classroom teacher, I thought of myself as a steward of learning to future generations. I still feel this way. As a head of school, a large part of my job is to be the steward for the future of the school, ensuring that its foundation is strengthened for future generations of students through the cultivation of an excellent faculty, a relevant learning program, a well-maintained campus, and a healthy endowment. Importantly, I know that I am only able to be this steward of learning and of the school because there were stewards who taught me the value of learning and supported the school through their care, dedication, and support. As a Grace Church community, we all must be stewards of the parish and the larger Episcopal Church. Our church community is a gift to us and to the surrounding community. We are able to gather for worship and fellowship because of the dedication and support of those who gathered for worship and fellowship before us. They left us a beautiful worship space and a vibrant history of service to one another, to the community, and to the environment. While stewardship is a far more comprehensive act than just offering financial support, it must be acknowledged that financial stewardship of the Church is vitally important. Grace Church can only thrive if there is a vigorous commitment to stewardship. We are the beneficiaries of those who were stewards of Grace through sharing their time, their talent, and their treasure in the past. To be faithful stewards to Grace and its future, we are called to do the same. In the Parable of the Talents, Jesus speaks of the importance of investing our talents for the future. Jesus says, “For to all those who have, more will be given.” (Matthew 25:29) Our gifts to Grace, including our financial gifts, are gifts to its future. These gifts serve as an important reminder that we are part of something larger than ourselves and something that exists on a continuum that links the past to the future through the present. Stewardship is that action that provides living energy to this continuum, not just for Grace Church, but in all aspects of our relationship with God. William Taylor Warden, Grace Episcopal Church |
Join Us for Worship Follow the link below to see our service. The stream begins 10 minutes prior to the service start time.
If you are having trouble accessing the stream, please go to our Youtube Channel here. 
Children and Family ResourcesThe Resurrection Window at Grace becomes more vibrant as the day turns from daylight to evening. This magnificent window was the topic of a news article in the Times Union.
Susan Quigley, Altar Guild Director
There are always lovely flowers in vases behind the altar in church. Over the years, parishioners have chosen to give these altar flowers in remembrance or celebration of specific persons or occasions in their life. If you would like to participate in this deeply meaningful activity, contact me at [email protected] and I will send you the sign-up form. Your words of thanks or remembrance will then be included in the Sunday bulletin. If you wish, you can take one of the flower arrangements with you at the end of the worship service. We ask for a $50 contribution which helps offset the cost of the flowers. Thank you in advance for helping us adorn our church each week with lovely flowers. – Susan Quigley, Altar Guild Directress
Prayer Shawl Ministry
Would you like to join our prayer shawl ministry? The handmade shawls are specially blessed and made for people in need, as gifts of comfort and hope. Contact Lynda at [email protected] for more information including patterns. |
Episcopal Relief and Development and Supporting Partners in Response to Hurricane Melissa. Donations may be made to the Hurricane Relief Fund.
Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen
Our congregations are helping neighbors who suddenly need food. Here's how you can help:
The Bishop of New York, The Right Reverend Matthew F. Heyd invites parishioners to stay connected with the Diocese by signing up for weekly newsletters, emails, and social media. Stay Connected.
A Grace Church
Potluck Thanksgiving Thursday, November 27, 2pm Grace Church Parish Hall You are invited to join us for a cozy gathering of friends and a delicious Thanksgiving dinner. Bring a dish to share. Please RSVP to Marli Higa at 917-774-3747 before November 18. 
December 13th 10am-2pm.
More information found by clicking on the photo. Order cookies by calling Lynda at 845-677-5174.
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