Feasting on Gratitude

2011 Stewardship Letter from Patrick and Sunni Bannon

Dear St. Thomas family:
Hanging on our refrigerator, tucked between John’s tee-ball photo and Clara’s preschool calendar is a bright green index card with the hand-written reminder, “Everything we have is a gift.”

Three years ago our financial lives changed dramatically when Sunni resigned from her paid full-time work to be a full-time at-home parent. Living on a tight budget with two young children we felt exhausted and overwhelmed. We supported St. Thomas with a modest annual pledge, but we fulfilled our commitment with no more thought than we gave to paying our utility bill. At the end of each month, we were relieved to find a few dollars left in the checking account. Or more often, we dipped into our savings account to make ends meet.

Last fall, we were thrilled to hear the plans for the new Life Center at St. Thomas – what a wonderful facility for our children, their friends and the generations to follow! At the campaign banquet we stared at the pledge card and listened as Lex asked us to move beyond what we could give with comfort to a level of sacrifice. We realized we didn’t know what the figure would be at either of those levels. With our faith as the lens, we re-focused and looked closely at our lives, our blessings and our money. It was obvious we had enough. Not enough for a new car with a third row seat or for a golf round every month. But enough to pay our bills, cover basic needs and provide for a small indulgence now and then. We found room in the budget to increase our annual St. Thomas pledge plus make an equal pledge for the Life Center.

“Everything we have is a gift.” The words blend into the kitchen scenery surrounded by magnets, photos and crayon art. They gently nudge us to slow down and practice gratitude. God is good. God will provide. It was only last year that we recognized and responded with faith to the intrinsic question – a query found in Psalm 116, “What shall I return to the Lord for all his bounty to me?” Making and keeping our pledge to St. Thomas has not made our lives stress free. Parenting is a rollercoaster, and we worry about many of the same things that concerned us before. But giving to St. Thomas no longer feels obligatory or optional. We are glad to return to the Lord from the richness we receive.

Just like all of you, our stewardship is a journey. This fall we’ll increase our annual pledge percentage as we move toward the goal of tithing. We’re inspired by the work, love and abundant hospitality at St. Thomas. We’re amazed and humbled by the examples of stewardship surrounding us. Please join us on November 20th for Ingathering Sunday. We, along with John and Clara and each of you, will bring our pledge cards to the altar as we come together to share the Eucharist and to celebrate the bounty and blessings of our church family. What a wonderful feast!
Joyfully yours,
Patrick & Sunni Bannon