St. Sophia Website

STEWARDSHIP

Helen Sokaris, Financial Secretary

Come and See. This Phrase is simple yet powerful. It calls us to change our location – physically and spiritually. If we want to find Christ, we must move toward Him. "We must grow and mature in our faith."

Giving to the Church is an opportunity – an opportunity to examine our priorities and values It is an opportunity to express our thankfulness, to give of ourselves and to grow in grace. It is an opportunity to participate in the work of God. Come and see what we can do together with your support.

In II Corinthians 9:7 we read: Each person should give what he/she has decided in his/her heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. Consider your weekly expenditures on entertainment, coffee, etc. Keep in mind that the expenses of the Church increase every year. In order to grow our ministries and meet our expenses, stewardship contributions must also increase each.

A successful Orthodox Christian Stewardship Program is meant to provide for the entire Ministries of the Operating Budget as well to grow those ministries. The parish should not depend on festivals and other fund raising events to meet its financial responsibilities. Our Stewardship gifts should be the foundation for the Church. At the October 18, 2009 General Assembly, you the parishioners, approved the 2010 Budget totaling $498.500. This amounts to $1,365.75 a day that St. Sophia must expend in order to meet its expenses.

Nevertheless, St. Sophia does receive yearly generous contributions not included in the budget which are beyond one’s stewardship such as Senior Holiday Dinner, icons, kalima, and communion wine. These donations are necessary and important; but, they do not pay the daily expenses.

In conclusion, I am proud to be a member of the St. Sophia community in Albany. We are a progressive community always looking to improve and grow. If a community stands still it stagnates and dies. You the parishioners make it possible for us to move forward. You are to be congratulated. Bravo!

Gather My People to
My Home

Come and See

See the world as God’s Gift to you.
See what the Church can become.
See God work through you.
Come and See.

This is worth repeating which is the 2010 theme by the Archdiocese.

What is stewardship. We begin by bringing ourselves to Christ. But it doesn’t stop there. After we have brought ourselves, we bring others. The greatest gift we can give to another person is Christ, and the ministries of the Church provide the opportunity to do so. But these ministries require your support.

We are able to fulfill God’s mission for the Church only to the extent that we support it. We do this by our physical, spiritual and financial support.