This fall at St. Andrew's Cathedral, several of our faithful stewards are offering their personal testimonials concerning how God has blessed and transformed their lives and the role this Cathedral community has played. Our theme is "Faithful Stewardship: Living Generously Through Grace and Gratitude." Through the messages of our fellow communicants, teaching, and sermons, we will be emphasizing our Christian acceptance of God's unconditional love and our need as stewards of God's bounty to make a faith commitment by giving a percentage of our income to God through God's household, the Church. We hope we will raise awareness of giving as a response to God's love and as a spiritual practice. We will be inviting you to joyful giving rather than fundraising to meet a budget, an act of worship based on the giver's need to give, not the church's need to receive.

Instead of treating people like members of a social club who should pay dues, we will treat people like followers of Jesus Christ who want to give unselfishly as an act of discipleship. As I said, it is a spiritual practice as important as prayer and Bible study. Our faith teaches us that everything we have, whether spent, saved, or given away is a sacred trust from God. When we return to God a portion of that which has been entrusted to us, that act acknowledges God's bountiful care and reminds us that we are the stewards of what remains. So, we are encouraging each communicant and each household toward proportionate and systematic giving in response to the question, "What percentage of my income is God calling me to give?"

Some of you have been asking if we will have pledge cards. The answer is yes! We will have pledge cards. Each member and each household will be called to join with everyone else in an act of commitment. But instead of mailing them in advance, we will distribute them during the one 10:00 morning service and then we will all complete our pledge cards in a time of silent prayer as an act of worship. And, when we come forward to receive Holy Communion, we will place our pledge cards in an alms bason so they can be blessed at the end of the service.

After the service in the Cathedral, we will share in a joyful, complimentary, catered meal in the Parish Hall and Capers Courtyard. Since the meal is catered, it is important for you to let us know if you will be present and how many members of your household to prepare for. We hope every household will be represented. I know there are many other things you could be doing on October 8, but I appeal to you to put God and St. Andrew's Cathedral first on that one Sunday. Your presence and participation will make a difference in this important celebration of what God has done for us.

People will not be calling you in advance to make a pledge, but if we don't have a reservation from you by October 1, you will be receiving a call encouraging you to attend. You can make your reservation right now by going to the homepage of St. Andrew's website and completing the simple form. Or, you can use one of the cards in the pews. Or, you can call the Cathedral office. Just please let us hear from you! Even if it is impossible for you to join us that day, we need to hear from you.

I'll see you in church!