God’s Goodness Within:
Stewardship Testimonial
My name is Susan Barsy, and I appreciate this opportunity to reflect on the meaning of worshipping here at All Saints and to say why giving to the church is fundamental to our life of faith. I’ve come up with a single phrase to describe the nature of my love-affair with All Saints, why I have made it my spiritual home, and that phrase is “God’s goodness within.”
This year, someone suggested that I try keeping a gratitude journal. To be honest, it seemed kind of hokey, but, given that 2025 has been a wee bit demoralizing, I decided to give it a go. The results were truly remarkable. At first I struggled to recall the ephemeral gifts that came my way each day, but, once I got the hang of it, my stingy acknowledgements of life’s blessings widened into a flood. The birds in the yard, my mother’s face when she looked at a tree turning color, a recipe that turned out when I needed it to: my thanks-giving grew encyclopedic. It was colorful and ever-changing: goodness alive!
Plus, as a narrative, the contrast with my other journal couldn’t have been more startling. My other journal (which I’m very proud of, by the way) is a well-written account of disappointment and perplexity, my shortcomings, and situations I’ll never understand! Thank goodness for the gratitude-journal, with its snapshots of a benevolence pulsing through nature and human affairs. I suppose my two journals are a complete statement of the human condition: one part keyed into goodness, the other part enmeshed in the bewilderment “out there.”
As Christians we acknowledge God as the source of all goodness and blessings. This church, which our forebears sacrificed to establish, is a holy sanctuary where God’s goodness dwells. It may sound mystical, but I believe in the sanctity of this place, a consecrated space where we draw nearer to God and learn of God’s goodness anew. When I’m in church, my consciousness of God and my place in creation is strengthened, through the readings, the thoughtful and affecting sermons, and the hymns we sing. And, of course, your company uplifts me! At All Saints, I can practice what I believe to be a true Christianity, for it is a place where every seeker can find refuge, renewal, absolution, and solace; where we become one body; and where we are all acknowledged as equal and precious in God’s eyes.
For “God’s goodness within” has a personal meaning, too. God’s goodness is not just in this temple, but in each of us. When one looks at the triptych that surmounts the high altar, one’s eyes are naturally drawn to the figure of the crucified Christ. It’s easy to overlook the symbol of the Dove, the Holy Spirit, crowning the scene. Each of us has gifts of the Spirit that are ours to cultivate and enjoy. Worshipping here, learning from the sermons, and being inspired by the actions of this congregation, powerfully encourages me—even frees me—to respect the gifts I’ve been given and to take on the work it has been given me to do.
To be honest, for decades I believed that goodness was a more or less automatic element in society. Recently, I’ve grown concerned about where goodness comes from, because it suddenly seems to be in terribly short supply. There’s nothing simple about goodness or Christianity. The proper care of our souls is a lifelong endeavor, a ministry that is old and new every day. At the moment, nothing is more urgent than nurturing the goodness inherent in God’s creation, in one another, and in ourselves. There is a circular logic to my vision of the church, which, by sustaining, we realize God’s loving hope for all mankind.
If you’re participating in this service, either here in church or remotely, you are already launched on your faith journey. You’re already aware of the truth of what I say. As Advent approaches and with it the start of the new liturgical year, it is customary to consider our role as All Saints’ stewards. I hope that as you reflect on what you have to give to the church, you will see your offerings as foundational to our life of worship, and as a deeply rewarding means of growing God’s goodness in dark times. Thank you.
Stewardship Testimonial: Lyn Morander
I was asked – again – to talk about Stewardship….I checked my files and I have done this multiple times throughout my years here at All Saints’….I’ve talked about how the minute I walked in to this Church, I was home….I found God in this church – not that he was missing…. I was missing Him…..
I find Him not just in the holiness of this space…I know you can feel it, too….there’s a sense of calm and peace here….but in the loving and caring of all who worship here…..how we help each other when needed….I have especially been the recipient of this help ….how we respond to needs in the community – the reinstating of the food basket at the back of the church to help the hungry…not to mention the $22,000 we raised for the hungry from the book sale…the sandwich ministry…to name a few.. I find God and community in the group who still meet online for Morning prayer Monday – Friday at 9 am ( come join us) and at coffee hour every Sunday…..and despite our jokes about the separation of the 8 o’clockers and the 10 o’clockers….we enjoy summers when we all come together because we’re 1 loving community….
And this is the time of year when we decide how we can support this Community…with a pledge – of both money (if we can afford it ) and our talents….run for Chapter or as delegate to the Convention – come make sandwiches with us when it’s our turn – help with the Book Sale – help at coffee hour – join Altar guild….there are lots of non-monetary ways you can support All Saints’…..just find what works best for you and get involved.
An Attitude of Gratitude: Stewardship Testimonial by Dr. John Keene
Good morning to all of you. As part of our stewardship outreach, I was asked to share briefly with you why I call All Saints’ my spiritual home.
A short family history, my parents met and were married here. My sister, two brothers and I were baptized here. Our family, along with many other families, attended the 8 am and 10 am services on Sunday. There were activities for everyone. We had a choir, and later a junior choir, Sunday School, an adult education hour, acolyte training, several prayer groups, etc. Everyone enjoyed the coffee hour! I still remember the cream-filled coffee cakes that were offered to all.
My spiritual life here at All Saints’ can best be summarized from its beginning to the present by the words shown on the front page of the weekly bulletin: “All are welcome.” All Saints’ has always been a diverse, loving and welcoming community. I am grateful for all of you who share my joy and dedication to serving God as members of All Saints’.
I thank you for this time to speak with you and offer this prayer for our goals to being obedient stewards:
“Oh God, the giver of all good gifts, we thank you for all the blessings which we have. Give us always contented minds, cheerful hearts and a ready will, so that we may spend and be spent in the service of others. This we ask through thy Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.