Time and Talent

Several weeks ago, I bumped into Evi Shibla in Fellowship Hall.  She asked me if I would give a temple talk on cheerful giving during the stewardship drive.  I said – I don’t like to ask people for money.  She said, oh don’t worry about it, that’s not until next week.  So then I asked her what cheerful giving was.  Since she didn’t give me an exact definition, I’ve taken that as license to talk about whatever I want - - The Mets!!  Just kidding.  I’d like to talk about time and talent.

Certainly we need money, and as co-chair of the Finance Committee, I really encourage all of you to pledge.  Can you imagine trying to budget at home without having any idea at all about how much money you might have coming in?  When it comes to money, for sure, some people are able to give more than others.  When it comes to time and talent, on the other hand, everyone can do something – usher, Communion assistant, Care Corps, host a coffee hour, sing in the choir, pick up a hedge trimmer, set up chairs, wax floors, paint.  The list goes on and on.  When it comes to this church, I have to say, I love Holy Trinity.  I’m sure that most of you feel the same way.  I’ve said this many times - - the church is the people.  Still, it’s nice to have a roof over our heads.  Martin Luther preached Justification by Faith.  That means that you can’t get to heaven by doing good works.  And, in any case, we could never do enough to repay God for what He has done and continues to do for us.  Regardless, would you want to look God in the eye and explain how we let the church building fall down around our ears??  I’m not suggesting that this is likely to happen, but it’s easier to prevent when more people are pitching in with the work.

I’m not sure exactly when it was, last year, or perhaps the year before, Buzz Good, co-chair of the property committee, spoke to us about helping out with the property committee.  He specifically requested help from some of our “younger” members.  [I don’t think this plea was successful, although I could be wrong.]  I really can not believe that if people were asked to help, that they would say no.  Perhaps you can’t commit to a monthly meeting, but if someone called you one time to come and trim bushes, maybe you could do that.  A couple of months ago, Council was considering hiring someone to paint a couple of rooms.  I suggested that we save our money and get some volunteers.  I refused to allow any property committee members to paint, although they volunteered.  Two other council members also volunteered, and I called three of my friends to help.  I had already made up my mind that if these people couldn’t help, I was going to take our church directory and just call someone at random.  There are so many jobs that need to be done.  I have had people ask me “how come there’s no coffee hour today?”  There is no coffee hour unless someone volunteers to do it.

Next week, when you are asked to pledge, you will also be asked to fill out a time and talent sheet.  When we need help with any task, we will use the time and talent sheets to find helpers.  I challenge the committee chairs to use these time and talent sheets to involve more people.  Sometimes we think it’s just easier to do something yourself instead of asking for help.  For sure, the next time I agree to organize a paint party, I’m going to call people that I haven’t asked before.  Hopefully this will help get more people involved and make everyone’s life easier.  As the saying goes – many hands make light work.  This is our church and it’s our responsibility to keep it running.

A couple of years ago, Pastor Mary sent me a note.  I really don’t remember why.  On the front of this card it said – the only thing we ever have is what we give away.  I’m not exactly sure what that means either, but it is certainly food for thought.

The only thing we ever have is what we give away!