Stewardship Reflection by Robert Copp
(text of message shared on November 15th)
Good morning - Father Mark kindly asked me to reflect on two things today.
1. What makes St Johns a special place for me.
2. How I support the ministry of St Johns.
St John’s has been a special place for me since I was four years old. This is when I began attending Sunday school. Throughout my life it has been the place where I have worshiped and celebrated life’s special moments. I was married here, my children were baptized here, my son was married here and last year we said goodbye to my father here at St John’s. St John’s is where I have always come to say thank you for my blessings. It is my spiritual home and it has always been here for me. Two years ago I was invited to join the vestry and this has opened my eyes to the various outreach services offered by St John’s as well as the challenges we face in perpetuating this church for future generations.
Our outreach programs are broad based, and they include
1. Nosh which provides emergency meal service to the less fortunate.
2. Thistle and Spoon which helps provide meals to the needy
3. St. John’s helps with the Love Thy Neighbor program which provides warm coats, backpacks and supplies to those in need.
4. Soap for Hope is another program that assists with donating cleaning supplies to the needy in our surrounding communities.
5. We also host hospitality events at the Glen Gardens Housing Community and the Glen Cove Senior Center
When I give to St John’s I am not only helping to support my local community I am sustaining and supporting spiritual education through our Sunday school and bible study programs like “Faith Matters”. I am supporting our talented and accomplished choir and music program. My gift also assists with improvements as well as the maintenance and upkeep that we have on this beautiful campus. Please take a stroll through the Memorial Garden and visit the Barn you will see what I mean.
6. And last but not least we are able to worship on a regular basis in this beautiful setting.
By supporting St. John’s of Lattingtown I feel I am helping to make the world a better place. I urge you to visit the new website and see the things Father Mark and his team are working so hard to accomplish. As you know this year has been a real struggle for our church as we have not been able to hold our major fundraisers which are Opera Night, the Fall Fair and our Spring Dinner Dance. Please do not take this church and all the good work it does for granted. We really need your help and generosity more than ever this year if we are going to keep the mission of St John’s alive and well. Thank you.
