We just finished 3 weeks of gratefulness for our building. Many of you have given to the building and continue to give. Thank you! Without your generosity there is no St. Paul’s!
Let’s think about all this from a different angle: sometimes people build things, not to keep, but to leave to someone else. Such is often the case with churches. Churches are of course meant for those who actually build them. But maybe more importantly, churches are gifts to those that have not come yet.
I’d like you to start dreaming with me. I’d like us to start dreaming of a new wing for the school and a new wing for the church. It’s not going to happen this year or the next. But, it could happen very soon. We’re growing! God is blessing us! And we may need to build in order to receive all these blessings.
Father Michael got this church built, but then was called on to another ministry. But the church wasn’t his after all, it was a gift to us. You may give time and money to this church and then move. But you have built a gift for someone else. And this is no cheap gift. If we build this right, this gift may last generations. 50 years from now maybe no one will know your name or that you gave, but if it wasn’t for you the generations to come wouldn’t have a beautiful Episcopal Church to worship in, to bring their kids up in, and to hear the Word in.
A church is like building a nest. Yes it’s yours. You built it after all. But, it’s really a gift for those who come after you.
We’re not starting a new building campaign just yet. I’m not asking for donations here. I’m only asking you to dream with me. I’m asking you to keep it in the back of your minds. I’m asking you to think about what the years to come might bring. And I’m asking that when we’re ready to do this, you might consider building a gift for your own families and for those to come.
P.S. In the picture below you’ll see the dream. We are currently in Phase I. I’ve circled Phase II. This is next and would be one wing for school/children’s ministries and one wing for church offices and kitchen. The kids at this church are nearly bursting through the walls! At the top you’ll see Phase III. This is last and would be a bigger church. But we’ll eventually need it because of all the people who keep coming to Saint Paul’s!
Tom+
