Using the gifts God has given us to do the work God is calling us to do!
The three (3) faces of Stewardship:
1) Ordinary Stewardship is the regular practice of returning to God a portion of all that God has given us. Giving regularly of our time, talent, and money to God's work on this earth is as much a spiritual practice as prayer and worship.
2) Extraordinary Stewardship involves the special occasions that arise in the life of Christian communities that call us to give beyond our ordinary habit--to help the community realize an especially important goal.
3) Legacy Stewardship is the way in which we address the matter of disposing of the accumulations of our lifetime. A planned gift that constitutes both a legacy to generations yet unborn and a final witness to those whom we hold most dear.
We say the St Mark's Episcopal Parish Family are truly blessed with abundance. As we place our names on our pledge cards we are not just pledging our money, but our spirit. This is not a financial issue--this is an issue of the spirit. To make a contribution to St Mark's Episcopal Church on-line, click below.
On-line Contribution to St Mark's Episcopal Church
GROWING THE VINE OF STEWARDSHIP: MAKING HISTORY…
by Stewardship Co-Chairs-Betty Allen and Randy Lindquist
St. Mark's history goes back to somewhere around 1961, when the then rector of Trinity-by-the-Cove became concerned about the development of the Episcopal Church in our area. A committee was established, made up of members of the Vestry, Women's Guild, and parish-at-large. The committee noted that the Collier County area was so widespread and the population was growing so rapidly that a scattering of small churches might best serve the area. They decided that Trinity-by-the-Cove should acquire five pieces of property, costing a total of about $95,000, and located in North Naples; East Naples; Immokalee; Golden Gate and Marco Island.
Meanwhile, the Mackle Brothers and Marco Island Development Corporation had set aside various tracts of land to give to various denominations, and, luckily, because Trinity-by-the-Cove had set aside funding for a church building, St. Mark's had first choice of the parcels. We selected our present site, then 3.15 acres.
Without land costs or altar, pews, organ and other furnishings, St. Mark's originally cost approximately $460,000. At that time, the altar rail consisted of white posts supporting a silk rope, and worshippers sat in folding chairs.
During our Stewardship Season here at St. Mark's, we would like to acquaint you, or reacquaint you, with our past… the history that has helped to make us what we are today. With each segment titled, "In the Beginning," we hope also to provide a glimpse of the present… and introduce the "Stewards" of God's Bounty who have made St. Mark's possible and given us the future to safeguard.
Watch for the next segment in the coming weeks!)
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