27Feb 2014 by Marcia Shetler No Comments
Celebrating Creation

Celebrating Creation

General
When we moved into our new home in a new subdivision, I was upset by the marauding raccoons that kept upsetting our trash cans and digging in our garden. Then our eight-year-old daughter pointed out that the process of building the subdivision had destroyed the environment in which the raccoons and several other animals lived. Now only a few small wooded areas remained where there had once been acres of forest. The raccoons were not invading our territory; we had invaded theirs. My daughter also reminded me that God had created the raccoons and cared about them. Most of us need to be reminded of these words from Psalm 24: "The earth is the Lord's and all that is in it" (v. 1). The air that we breathe, the water that…
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21Feb 2014 by Marcia Shetler No Comments
New “Fearless Generosity” Stewardship Materials are Available for Purchase

New “Fearless Generosity” Stewardship Materials are Available for Purchase

General
"Fearless Generosity", based on Ephesians 3:20-21, is the theme for just-released stewardship resources published by the Ecumenical Stewardship Center. The Ecumenical Stewardship Center offers resources that together provide a creative, comprehensive, and thought-provoking approach to encourage generous giving and faithful stewardship. "Fearless Generosity" includes four sub-themes and supplemental scripture texts: "Fearless Living", Genesis 1 and 2: "Fearless Service", Luke 4:16-21; "Fearless Sowing", Mark 4:1-9; "Fearless Giving", Luke 21:1-4. Volume 16 of the Giving: Growing Faithful Stewards in Your Congregation magazine includes articles that provide theological reflection on "Fearless Generosity" and each of the sub-themes, practical guidelines and suggestions to improve all aspects of a congregation's stewardship program, and a special focus on encouraging generosity in younger generations. It also includes an eight-page center section containing an easily-adaptable "Fearless Generosity" stewardship…
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17Feb 2014 by Marcia Shetler No Comments

Registration Now Open for Joint Stewardship Educators and Mission Funding Forum Gathering

General
The Ecumenical Stewardship Center Stewardship Educators Forum and Mission Funding Forum Groups will meet jointly May 6-7, 2014. Staff from Barnabas Foundation will host the gathering at the Foundation offices in Tinley Park, Illinois, a Chicago suburb. Ecumenical Stewardship Center Forums provide those engaged in similar stewardship-related ministries gathering places for networking, support, and learning. Forum Group participants consider the current trends, best practices, challenges, and opportunities unique to serving faith-based organizations. The topic for the gathering will be "Grass-Roots Stewardship: Connecting With Our Constituencies". Participants will explore the intersection of generous giving, faithful stewardship, and the current questions and challenges faced by those called to stewardship and development vocations in a faith-based context. Participants are invited to submit specific questions on the topic to be considered for discussion. Examples…
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