When Rev. Christine asked me to speak to you for a few moments on the theme of stewardship, or more specifically, "Why I give” my mind drew a complete and total blank. I've been involved in giving time and financial support to a number of causes, but I never really stopped to think about why I do so, I just do it. However, after spending some time going over this question some thoughts have come to me which I'd like to share with you today.
I've been connected to this church pretty much all my life. I was baptized, confirmed and also married in this building. Except for a few years away at university and then living and working in Ottawa, Winchester United Church has been a constant in my life.
I believe that giving began right from the beginning, following the example of my parents, neighbours and our church family. As a child, I saw how much people looked out for each other. If there was a death in a family, food was sent. If one of our neighbours had an injury others would help, especially in our farming community where there would be chores to do and animals to take care of. If there had been a fire, people helped by finding clothes, household items and furniture. Sunday mornings I lined up with my sisters with our Sunday dresses on, a little straw hat and almost white gloves, clutching our Sunday School nickels and dimes. I still remember the song we used to sing in Sunday School when the collection was taken...Dropping, dropping, dropping, dropping hear the pennies fall....
Another memory I have is coming home from school to the heavenly smell of fresh baked pies. Our first question would be...are they for the church??
Often they were, but there was usually one for us set aside too.
Anniversary suppers, UCW meetings, Sunday School concerts at Christmas, fund raising events for the church, Sunday School, youth group. Time given up for the "Intermediate Girl's" choir. CGIT. It would be safe to say that being involved has been a big part of my life.
But there is another reason why I continue to give. As time passes I've come to realize how blessed I have been. A secure upbringing, a successful and satisfying career, over 30 happy years of marriage, 2 wonderful children with 2 amazing grandkids (and another on the way) I have been very fortunate. Yet I know there are many who have not had the opportunities that I've had, and are in a totally different situation. I want to help and am so very grateful that I 'm in a position where I can do that, either with financial aid, or by giving up some of my time. It gives me a great deal of satisfaction to know that I can help someone in need and share some of my good fortune.
There are so many ways to help, near and far. There have been many outreach projects from this church and our community that I feel has made an impact on the lives of people. A few examples (out of many) stick out in my mind. Our UCW is one example that has been there since I can remember. Every year the UCW donate generously to our M&S fund, the two area food banks and Rideau Hill Camp. They collect Canadian Tire money, stamps, eyeglasses and Campbell soup labels to be used in conjunction with other programs. They provide food to grieving families. They support the church.
An activity I took part in this year for the first time is the Operation shoebox program. It was fun to wander around Giant Tiger and Wal-Mart looking for items an older boy might like. I found myself imagining his face when the box was opened and hoping he would find some joy at Christmas time. The only problem is that I bought way too much for one box! They are much smaller than one would think. So I just picked up another, as I had more than enough for two.
Last week I had the opportunity to listen to a marvelous speaker from the Canadian War Amps organization, an amputee who kept our rapt attention while demonstrating the many prosthesis that had been given to him as part of the program, so that he can lead an active and healthy lifestyle. These items are very expensive and would be out of reach for most people. Of the many he had with him in his "handbag' there was one for lifting weights, one for kayaking, and finally one for doing pushups which he ably demonstrated for us. All brought about by funds from the War Amps Key Tag program. It was hard not to be inspired by this young man's story.
In closing I would just like to say that I feel there is no right or wrong answer for why one gives of their time, talents and funds to a cause as I'm sure the reasons are varied. Perhaps I've struck a chord with some of you, perhaps you had something quite different in mind, but I'm sure we would all agree that the rewards of giving are so worth the effort. I thank you for listening today.
Colleen
I've been connected to this church pretty much all my life. I was baptized, confirmed and also married in this building. Except for a few years away at university and then living and working in Ottawa, Winchester United Church has been a constant in my life.
I believe that giving began right from the beginning, following the example of my parents, neighbours and our church family. As a child, I saw how much people looked out for each other. If there was a death in a family, food was sent. If one of our neighbours had an injury others would help, especially in our farming community where there would be chores to do and animals to take care of. If there had been a fire, people helped by finding clothes, household items and furniture. Sunday mornings I lined up with my sisters with our Sunday dresses on, a little straw hat and almost white gloves, clutching our Sunday School nickels and dimes. I still remember the song we used to sing in Sunday School when the collection was taken...Dropping, dropping, dropping, dropping hear the pennies fall....
Another memory I have is coming home from school to the heavenly smell of fresh baked pies. Our first question would be...are they for the church??
Often they were, but there was usually one for us set aside too.
Anniversary suppers, UCW meetings, Sunday School concerts at Christmas, fund raising events for the church, Sunday School, youth group. Time given up for the "Intermediate Girl's" choir. CGIT. It would be safe to say that being involved has been a big part of my life.
But there is another reason why I continue to give. As time passes I've come to realize how blessed I have been. A secure upbringing, a successful and satisfying career, over 30 happy years of marriage, 2 wonderful children with 2 amazing grandkids (and another on the way) I have been very fortunate. Yet I know there are many who have not had the opportunities that I've had, and are in a totally different situation. I want to help and am so very grateful that I 'm in a position where I can do that, either with financial aid, or by giving up some of my time. It gives me a great deal of satisfaction to know that I can help someone in need and share some of my good fortune.
There are so many ways to help, near and far. There have been many outreach projects from this church and our community that I feel has made an impact on the lives of people. A few examples (out of many) stick out in my mind. Our UCW is one example that has been there since I can remember. Every year the UCW donate generously to our M&S fund, the two area food banks and Rideau Hill Camp. They collect Canadian Tire money, stamps, eyeglasses and Campbell soup labels to be used in conjunction with other programs. They provide food to grieving families. They support the church.
An activity I took part in this year for the first time is the Operation shoebox program. It was fun to wander around Giant Tiger and Wal-Mart looking for items an older boy might like. I found myself imagining his face when the box was opened and hoping he would find some joy at Christmas time. The only problem is that I bought way too much for one box! They are much smaller than one would think. So I just picked up another, as I had more than enough for two.
Last week I had the opportunity to listen to a marvelous speaker from the Canadian War Amps organization, an amputee who kept our rapt attention while demonstrating the many prosthesis that had been given to him as part of the program, so that he can lead an active and healthy lifestyle. These items are very expensive and would be out of reach for most people. Of the many he had with him in his "handbag' there was one for lifting weights, one for kayaking, and finally one for doing pushups which he ably demonstrated for us. All brought about by funds from the War Amps Key Tag program. It was hard not to be inspired by this young man's story.
In closing I would just like to say that I feel there is no right or wrong answer for why one gives of their time, talents and funds to a cause as I'm sure the reasons are varied. Perhaps I've struck a chord with some of you, perhaps you had something quite different in mind, but I'm sure we would all agree that the rewards of giving are so worth the effort. I thank you for listening today.
Colleen