A Stewardship Ministry: ‘Lilies of the Field’ at St. James Episcopal Church
Come & See, Stay & Build
April 20, 2026
Dear Parishioners,
Our life together as a parish begins with a simple invitation. In John, Jesus turns to the curious and searching and says, “Come and see” (John 1:39). He invites presence, relationship, and community, not a list of expectations.
At St. James we honor that invitation. We gather to worship, pray for one another, and share life together. Faith is lived in community—“the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, the breaking of bread and the prayers” (Acts 2:42). Over time, those who come begin to experience the Body of Christ among them: “Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it” (1 Corinthians 12:27). St. James is a spiritual home where people know your name, engage and celebrate Christ’s presence together, and work side-by-side in ministry.
The film Lilies of the Field gives a vivid image of this: a small group, little money, and a shared trust in God lead to a chapel built “brick by brick.” That chapel becomes a living symbol of faith made visible - our church is built not only of wood but of lived faith. The materials of our life together are faith, hope, joy, and service. Love is the mortar: “above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony” (Colossians 3:14). Without love stewardship is only money; with love it becomes ministry, community, and grace. That love frees us to risk generosity and vulnerability, trusting God’s care: “Consider the lilies of the field… your heavenly Father knows what you need” (Matthew 6:28–32).
We embody faith in daily life - quiet prayers, shared meals, service to neighbors, and steady presence. This intimacy is central: we are called to love one another, forming relationships that sustain and shape us. Come and see the love, the beauty, the bread and wine, the baptismal water, the music, the smiles, and the intensity of shared prayer and community. Come and see people serving together, relationships forming, and all becoming the Body of Christ. This is stewardship.
Stewardship sustains the life that happens in and surrounding our building - the worship, outreach, formation, compensation for our clergy and space. As Scripture teaches, “Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7). As we realize growth in our congregation and community, St James also faces financial growing pains; being transparent about that is responsible. Yet money is the means, not the purpose. Our giving supports the life that feeds us spiritually, binds us together, and provides funding for our many outreach ministries.
Pledging is an outward and visible sign of an inward commitment to God’s kingdom as lived at St. James. Stewardship is not a season but a ministry, a way of life - built
year-round through prayer, service, generosity, and conversation. Every article, ministry gathering, and act of kindness contributes to our culture of stewardship that shapes who we are: “Encourage one another and build up each other” (1 Thessalonians 5:11).
Like the chapel in Lilies of the Field, St. James Episcopal Church, our church, is built together; no one person builds it alone. Every prayer, hymn, meal, and act of generosity becomes part of the foundation: “we are being built together spiritually into a dwelling place for God” (Ephesians 2:22).
Our stewardship is not about paying dues. It is about sustaining the life we share, strengthening the community that holds us, and building the future of our spiritual home - together. The bricks are faith, hope, joy, and service; love is the mortar. With God’s help, His church (and our church) is built. We are the ‘Lilies of the Field’!
Yours in Christ,
The Rev. Jim Shumard, Dave Bellaire, Ginny Heckel
As we enter this season of preparation for stewardship, we are invited into a time of prayerful reflection – on who we are as a church, whose we are as God’s people, and how we are called to respond in gratitude for the blessings we have received.
Let stewardship not merely reference money. At its heart, it is something much deeper. It is our individual and collective spiritual practice rooted in thanksgiving. Everything we have – our time, our talents, our resources, and our very lives – comes from God. Stewardship, then, is not about obligation, but about response. It is how we say thank you to God for the abundance entrusted to us.
At St. James, we are blessed with a vibrant and caring community. We have embraced the spirit of “Come and See,” opening our doors in welcome and invitation, trusting that God is at work among us. We are called to build on that foundation – to deepen our faith and expand our trust in God’s provision.
In this spirit, we turn our hearts toward the lesson of the “Lilies of the Field.” Just as the beauty of the lilies is fashioned by God’s hand, we are reminded to trust in God’s abundance and care. Stewardship invites us into that same trust – not rooted in scarcity or fear, but in faith that God provides and will continue to provide for the work set before us.
Let us reflect on:
· Where is God calling us to grow?
· How have we been blessed, and how might we share those blessings more fully?
· How can we move forward in faith, trusting not only in what we can see, but in what God is still unfolding among us?
Stewardship is about aligning our lives with our values and trusting that God will use what we offer – no matter how big or small – for the good of His kingdom.
We enter this season with open hearts, guided by prayer, and grounded in gratitude. Together, we can continue to nurture the ministries of St. James and ensure that we remain a place of welcome, hope, and transformation for all who seek God’s presence among us.
Dave Bellaire, Vestry