Dear St. John's Family
Recently I was researching our archives and ran across a file from the time of the Great Depression in the 1920s. The congregation borrowed $21,000 during this bleak time. The loan kept the doors open. I also found the hand-written pledges from parish members to retire the debt. The amounts seem so small: $100 ... $150 … $35 … all to be paid over a period of a year or two. One letter from Mr. John W. Felton, Jr. to the stewardship committee grabbed my attention. “I hope to retire this indebtedness before another year rolls around. I made the pledge in faith and will take care of it as soon as I am in a position to do so.” Mr. Felton, whose grandson and family are still part of this church, remind me why St. John’s is so strong. There was and is a vibrancy of belonging, dedication, and commitment that year after year have given success to of our ministry of prayer, work, and yes, the giving of money.
This has been an unusual, hard year. The women and men before us knew hard times like ours. Their faith commitment was essential as our faith and our commitments are just as essential. St. John’s for generations has the tithe as a principle. It has been a standard as we strive to give back to God 10% for ministry and the spread of the gospel.
Please take time to consider what you can do and what you can give and then please make a pledge. Whatever you decide, God will bless. God blesses all that we offer.
The Very Reverend John C. Ross
