WEEK 5

by Peter Snyder

Through advertisements and social media I am constantly bombarded with images of things I ‘need’ to make me more successful, thinner, more stylish, or what have you. The underlying message in all of this is that I should focus on me, and what will make me happy. There is nothing wrong with wanting to be happy, but experience tells me that it is not things that make me happy—it is living a life that is directed towards something greater than myself.

At St. Mark’s, I hear a different message: “strive first for the kingdom of God…and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matt 6:33). To me this says that I will find more satisfaction in those things I have, and less dissatisfaction from those I don’t have, when I am oriented towards God.

Our generous God welcomes all into the kingdom and invites us to live into that same generosity. Mark Reike, our consultant for the Living Stones II capital campaign, was fond of saying that the gift one should give is the gift that will bring the most joy. This has stuck with me because I have found there really is more joy in generous giving than in a life filled with ‘stuff.’ I am so thankful to be part of a community that strives to embody this joyful generosity!

WEEK 4

by Alexandra Thompson

I brought the dried hulls of a radish plant gone to seed to my gardening group last night. The brittle hulls contain the seeds for a next round of radishes to grow, not just in my garden, but in those of my neighbors. It brought me joy to think of how generous nature. We take something tiny and make food out of it. If we fail at making food, the plant gives us another chance. In my life Saint Mark’s is not much different. The church has an institution and the people inside have been so warm and generous to me and my family over the past 20 years. My small contribution of time, talent and treasure contributes to a vibrant cathedral community. I am glad to be part of Saint Mark's Cathedral and gladly choose generosity when it comes time to make a financial commitment this Fall.

WEEK 3

by Greg Simon

In our consumer culture, we’re prompted to post online reviews of nearly everything we purchase. But we’re not usually prompted to post reviews when we give rather than buy. So I’ll take this opportunity to post my online review of our household’s annual giving to Saint Mark’s Cathedral:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Review title: Choose generosity!

This is the deal of a lifetime! Nothing I’ve purchased before has given me this kind of joy and satisfaction. The durability and reliability just can’t be beat; it’s even more satisfying after many years as it was on the first day. Choose generosity – and you’ll just keep wanting more of it!

WEEK 2

by Deborah Person

I was at a game this weekend, and in front of me was a very young girl, so completely generous with her smiles, laughter, and attention to everyone around her. It was contagious. Everyone around her received her gifts of joy and generosity of spirit and spread it to each other. I went home grateful for that reminder of how quickly generosity can spread.

I wish I always expressed generosity as freely and easily as my new young friend did this weekend at the game. But in these challenging times, I can too easily forget that generosity is always a choice. When I choose generosity, I not only shift my experience, but those around me as well – it’s a game changer (pun intended!).

I am grateful for this community for so many reasons, especially for the opportunities we have to practice choosing generosity, supporting each other and serving together.

WEEK 1—Choosing Generosity

by Greg Hamm

Each year at around this time, we hear about stewardship, and we are encouraged to make a pledge to Saint Mark’s Cathedral. It is easy to think about this in very mundane terms: “Well, the church is a valuable presence in our lives and our community, and it needs money to operate, so maybe I’ll contribute.” This is certainly not wrong—the church is utterly dependent upon generosity to keep functioning. Annual pledges are especially important because they allow the cathedral to budget and plan for the coming year.

And it is certainly true that the presence of Saint Mark's Cathedral is vitally important, especially in these challenging times. The cathedral provides an island of coherence in our lives that helps keep us from giving in to despair or apathy. It helps people in need, advocates for justice, and keeps alive the story of another, more caring way in our society.

But pledging, at whatever level, is valuable in a different, and more personal way. This is where choosing—the first word in our stewardship theme, Choosing Generosity—comes in.

When I make a pledge, I am choosing to be generous, not once, but repeatedly over a whole year. And making this choice changes me. Generosity becomes a practice—a practice of gratitude, and of belonging. I start paying attention to more of the things happening at Saint Mark’s. I start chatting with “strangers” after worship (who aren’t really strangers anymore). At Communion, I look the chalice bearer in the eye, and we smile.

Everyone is welcome at Saint Mark’s; I have always felt that. When I choose generosity, I let that welcome all the way in. I belong here; I am home.