Faithful Stewardship: Mid-Year Mission Spending Update

Dear fellow members of New Journey Lutheran Church,

The dictionary defines stewardship as “the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one's care.“  As faithful followers, we recognize the wisdom in the book of Peter, 4:10-11:

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.

Like many of you I find it hard to believe that we are more than halfway through the year and as we approach the season when we celebrate important holidays and milestones it is important as “careful managers” that the Council report on the progress of our 2024 Mission Spending Plan.

We began the year as we do most years with a “leap of faith” that our mission spending priorities could be fulfilled through the generous support of our congregation through financial gifts, service and prayer.  What have we accomplished so far in 2024?  We are blessed with a new vision for Jamie Asmus as both our accompanist and coordinator of music ministry; the service of Elizabeth Pepiot who began her work as bookkeeper on July 1; and our continuing emphasis on our mission activities and support for the ELCA, Grand Canyon Synod and the Northeast Valley Consortium.  Our Community Food Pack produced thousands of meals for our local, regional and international neighbors.  Working with other Consortium congregations we packed several thousand heat respite lunches, complete with water, electrolyte packs and goodies!  We continue to share lovingly made quilts.  We continue to advocate for economic equality and social justice.  We gather together every Sunday to worship, commune and talk and laugh together.  We are a “small but mighty” force for good.

Our Mission Spending Plan is, at the end of August, in balance.  Our income and expenses are roughly equal which is a testament to our mutual commitment to “sharing our gifts” with the “strength God provides.”  We are already starting to envision the 2025 Mission Spending Plan to again take the “leap of faith” that we can make a tangible difference in our community and our world!  We know that we will again have a productive and joyful Community Food Pack in February; that we will again work with the Consortium to share heat respite lunches and resources; and have the opportunity to address new challenges as God reveals them and inspires our response to making our world better. 

We thank you for your faithfulness and willingness to share your time, talent and treasure.  We are always ready to “crunch the numbers” if you are interested in that data and hope that we have lived up to our responsibility to serve our congregation and fulfill God’s plan.

Sincerely,

Michael Bartanen, Treasurer, on behalf of:

New Journey Lutheran Church Congregational Council:  Cindi Brady, Pete Galindez, Karl Flormoe, Michael Bartanen, Mike Wilson, Jo Martinson, and Pastor Beth Gallen.