June 2020 – Ecumenical Stewardship Center

01Jun 2020 by Joe Tolton No Comments

June News: Spirited Generosity Resource for Virtual or In-Person Study, More

Spirited Generosity Spirited Generosity explores the history and theology of the offering, its spiritual significance, and best practices for the offering in 21st-century culture. View the videos and selected clips and use the study guides for a virtual or in-person four-week study. Learn More What Does Faithful Generosity Look Like? What does faithful generosity look like in this season of uncertainty and anxiety? In some aspects, it looks like it always has: first steps and lasting commitment to the journey are essential. Now, we need to emphasize the faith of longtime faithful generosity: continuing to be generous even when all that we have learned and known feels like it has been turned upside down. We also need to encourage those important first steps in creative ways that we never considered…

Faithful Investing: The Power of Decisive Action and Incremental Change

Investing, Resource Review

People of faith and entire faith communities alike must consider how the dollars they have been tasked with managing are at work in this world. But the world of investment portfolios and asset management can be an intimidating one to enter. James W. Murphy has assembled a resource to help introduce and guide individuals and communities alike through the potentially complex language and considerations related to managing our money in a way that is aligned with our faith and values. Faithful Investing: The power of Decisive Action and Incremental Change is a collection of essays written by a number of financial professionals from faith-based organizations who work in the area of financial and investment services. This ecumenical collaboration walks the reader through the complexities of faith-rooted investing with approachable and…

What Does Faithful Generosity Look Like?

General

If you were asked to name a faithfully generous person, who would you choose? In the congregational realm, your thoughts might lead to a long-time member or attendee. It’s a quiet, humble, gentle soul who displays kindness, gentleness, and hospitality. Many in your faith community think of her or him as a generous financial supporter, but no one really knows for sure because those kinds of recognition don’t happen in churches very often. The truth is, somewhere along the way that faithfully generous person had to take a first step into their calling. They may have been motivated to take that step because of the generosity expressed in the lives of their parents or a respected church member. They may have been inspired by biblical illustrations or sermons or stories…