Why We Give...
Stories of Faithful Giving
Why I Give...
Trinity Episcopal - Alliance OH
I grew up attending a small, steep roofed Episcopal church in Alliance, Ohio called Trinity Episcopal. I attended most Sunday mornings with my mom. Like my daughter, I fidgeted and napped my way through the service. If I was good my mom took me to Sugar + Spice, the local donut shop. I confess, I don't remember learning much scripture, but I know now that my time there with my mom impacted me more than I realized back then.
Trinity Episcopal - Alliance OH
I grew up attending a small, steep roofed Episcopal church in Alliance, Ohio called Trinity Episcopal. I attended most Sunday mornings with my mom. Like my daughter, I fidgeted and napped my way through the service. If I was good my mom took me to Sugar + Spice, the local donut shop. I confess, I don't remember learning much scripture, but I know now that my time there with my mom impacted me more than I realized back then.
My mom - Judy Tolerton
I can't talk about giving without talking about my mom. My mom gives of her soul, of her heart, of her time and of her wallet with fervor. She is the epitome of extravagant generosity. The list of the ways she gave to her church and community family are too long to list. A few highlights include: leading Habitat for Humanity, starting a church garden (sound familiar Deacon Al Hipp), leading United Way campaigns, giving to women's shelters, personally working with families to find work and a home to try and break the cycle of poverty for one family at a time, bringing kids home from school to give them a better place to "just be". My mom would see a need and just effortlessly look for a way to fill it. No fanfare, no glory, just find a way; some efforts were more successful than others. I cannot remember a time where she told me to give or to volunteer, but as I grew up I got the message loud and clear.
My mom is now in the final stages of Alzheimer's. I don't know how much longer she will be with us. Most Sunday's I listen to the hymns and ask myself if they would honor her or not, when the time comes. I know that when she passes she will be in a better place, where the suffering of Alzheimer's is no more. And, I know that her life deserves to be celebrated with the same fervor and passion with which she has lived. Her disease reminds me that we are not promised a certain amount of days, so we'd better spend our time on what really matters. When I ask myself what that is, I turn to family (Eric, Grace and JT) and I also turn to my church family (all of you). Together we can be a light unto the world. We can feed people in our backyard and on the other side of the world. We can minister to each other in times of need. Our power is great with Christ in our hearts, we just must answer the call.
I know our schedules are tight and life's expenses are ever expanding. I urge you to prayerfully consider giving of yourself in a new way, whatever that means to you. We will be richer because of our time spent serving alongside our St. James family. We will be richer for giving to allow another to eat a warm meal or have a roof over their head. Let's change the world together in our corner of God's kingdom and beyond. We can do more as a body of Christ than we could ever do alone.
My family - Eric_ JT _ Grace
If there is a specific ministry or outreach initiative you would like to participate in as a body, just let me know, ctharrell96@gmail.com. Most of the St. James ministries and outreach started because one person saw a need and sought a way to fill that need. If you have already submitted your pledge for 2016, thank you! If not, please prayerfully consider your pledge and how you would like to support the many ministries at St. James.
Peace,
Christina Harrell
If there is a specific ministry or outreach initiative you would like to participate in as a body, just let me know, ctharrell96@gmail.com. Most of the St. James ministries and outreach started because one person saw a need and sought a way to fill that need. If you have already submitted your pledge for 2016, thank you! If not, please prayerfully consider your pledge and how you would like to support the many ministries at St. James.
Peace,
Christina Harrell
“After moving to Greenville three years ago, my husband and I had started attending another church in town. Despite all the great people we met there and trying to get involved, we just never felt like it was the right fit for us. Having grown up Catholic the concept of simply "trying" another church is very foreign to me, but eventually I decided to give St. James a try after discovering that there was a nursery—a must for me with two small children and a husband who frequently can't make it to church. The first mass I attended was mostly in Spanish as Father Stephen and the vestry were away on a retreat. Despite that, the overwhelming feeling of welcome I felt from everyone there was more than enough to convince me to come back. After a few weeks I knew that this was where our family belonged. As a child of a very Midwestern Catholic family, church was always part of my life, but I can honestly say I have never WANTED to go to church in the way that I do now. I know that this is the church where I want my children to grow up. This is the message I want them to receive—that no matter where they may fall on the religious spectrum as they enter adulthood and form their own opinions, they will always be welcomed and accepted and loved. That is the overwhelming feeling I have gotten in the few months we have been attending St. James, and that is the reason we have decided to become members.”
Tracy Moister
"I moved to the area about a year ago, and was looking for an Episcopal church and found Saint James. I was immediately attracted to all the outreach activities that were going on. I also immediately felt the warmth and sense of community. In addition to attending on Sundays, I started attending [the class] on Tuesday and Wednesday night services. Very soon I developed a nice cadre of friends. I have been involved with 'pig picking' and helped in the kitchen at the 'Bluegrass and BBQ' event and also have been volunteering for Project Host."
Sam Lyons
Sam Lyons
Our journey with a local Episcopal church began at St. Francis Episcopal Church. Upon its decline and eventual closing, we began a search for another church. We sought a strong, welcoming church with many ties to the local community. St. James just seemed to provide for our needs. St. James has a close knit community of members with strong spiritual connections. Its members care about each other but also show their love of God by serving through many missions such as GAIHN, the Giving Tree, Feed Thy Neighbor and Stop Hunger Now just to name a few.
Cliff required emergency surgery three years ago. At that time Mother Roxanne Ruggles was Priest-in-Charge. She supported us both at a time when we did not know the diagnosis nor the treatment road we would have to travel. God was our guiding light throughout many months of chemotherapy, numerous doctor's appointments, stem cell harvesting, etc. The support of clergy and the regular attendees of the Wednesday evening Celtic service was invaluable. On the Wednesday night before Cliff's stem cell transplant, Nancy requested Father Stephen Rhoades to anoint Cliff. At the end of the service all were invited to come forward and lay hands on us as Stephen anointed and blessed us both. This process provided us with a spiritual feeling that only could have been produced by God through the Holy Spirit. It still sends chills all over when we tell of the experience.
In addition to our regular offering we support the Episcopal Church Women with the Attic Sale by making donations and spreading the word about it on Facebook. We enjoy attending various benefits held by the Men's Group, such as the Bluegrass and BBQ Night and the Oktoberfest. We have donated toiletries to GAIHN, beans for United Ministries and the Giving Tree. You may ask why we donate so freely. It is because of YOU, the members, who demonstrate your love of our fellow man by supporting the needs of the various missions.
Jesus said, "The poor you will always have with you and you can help them any time you want." (Mark 14:7) Therefore, we should follow Jesus' command to help those who are less fortunate. It is because of the many missions that St. James supports that we willingly donate.
St. James is a very strong church, blessed with too many talents to enumerate. Its largest blessing is you, the membership, who care for each other and the greater community. Thank you for being a part of our lives. We love you all.
Cliff and Nancy Gammons
Cliff required emergency surgery three years ago. At that time Mother Roxanne Ruggles was Priest-in-Charge. She supported us both at a time when we did not know the diagnosis nor the treatment road we would have to travel. God was our guiding light throughout many months of chemotherapy, numerous doctor's appointments, stem cell harvesting, etc. The support of clergy and the regular attendees of the Wednesday evening Celtic service was invaluable. On the Wednesday night before Cliff's stem cell transplant, Nancy requested Father Stephen Rhoades to anoint Cliff. At the end of the service all were invited to come forward and lay hands on us as Stephen anointed and blessed us both. This process provided us with a spiritual feeling that only could have been produced by God through the Holy Spirit. It still sends chills all over when we tell of the experience.
In addition to our regular offering we support the Episcopal Church Women with the Attic Sale by making donations and spreading the word about it on Facebook. We enjoy attending various benefits held by the Men's Group, such as the Bluegrass and BBQ Night and the Oktoberfest. We have donated toiletries to GAIHN, beans for United Ministries and the Giving Tree. You may ask why we donate so freely. It is because of YOU, the members, who demonstrate your love of our fellow man by supporting the needs of the various missions.
Jesus said, "The poor you will always have with you and you can help them any time you want." (Mark 14:7) Therefore, we should follow Jesus' command to help those who are less fortunate. It is because of the many missions that St. James supports that we willingly donate.
St. James is a very strong church, blessed with too many talents to enumerate. Its largest blessing is you, the membership, who care for each other and the greater community. Thank you for being a part of our lives. We love you all.
Cliff and Nancy Gammons
