2003 Bishop's Stewardship Appeal

2003 Bishop's Stewardship Appeal

'Stewardship is the way we are called to live ...'

By Bishop Robert J. Baker

As we embark on another year of our annual Bishop's Stewardship Appeal (BSA) campaign, I would like to personally thank each of you for your generous and prayerful support over the past year. This past year was one of great challenge and sacrifice. I have been both humbled and gratified by your inspired prayers and support during such an extraordinary time in our church.

The theme for this year's appeal is "A people of great faith rejoicing in hope." I do not know of a better phrase which sums up my feelings toward the people of the Diocese of Charleston. Thankful people are hopeful people. They see beyond present hardships to brighter days. Hopeful people are people of faith who believe in the goodness of God and know that all depends on him. All that we have and all that we are comes from the goodness and generosity of the Lord. Through our stewardship, we give our thanks to God.

Since coming to the diocese in 1999, I have placed an emphasis on stewardship. Although the focus on stewardship maybe something new for many of us, the message is not. Stewardship is the way we are called to live our Christian life. In a nutshell, all that we have and are comes from God and belongs to God. We are not the owners of creation, we are but the stewards, the ones set aside by the Creator to have dominion over his creation.

Then God said (Genesis 1:26), "Let us make man in our own image after our likeness. Let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and the cattle, and over all the wild animals and all the creatures that crawl on the ground."

God created man in his image, in the divine image he created him, male and female he created them. As stewards we are responsible for the time, talents, and treasures we have. "Who in your opinion," Jesus asks in Luke's Gospel (12:42), "is that faithful, far-sighted steward whom the master will set over his servants to dispense their ration of grain in season?" Jesus says it's the servant "whom the master finds busy when he returns." Jesus wants his followers to be like the servants who did not hoard or bury their treasures but used them constructively to improve what is given to them.

Last year's BSA campaign raised over $1.7 million to provide for the services, ministries and programs of the Diocese of Charleston. We also continued our efforts to raise additional funds for the restoration of Carter-May Home, with its wings for our retired priests (St. Joseph's Residence) and lay people. It was an inspirational year for our diocese, and we hope that your stewardship will continue to grow during our 2003 BSA campaign.

I humbly ask you to please consider renewing your act of stewardship by supporting the 2003 Bishop's Stewardship Appeal. This year we will be mailing decals to each registered family in the Diocese of Charleston. It is my hope to see these stickers as I travel throughout the state.

Now is the time we as individuals and families can show the world, through our words and actions (our stewardship) we are "A people of great faith rejoicing in hope!"

Thank you for sharing the gifts that God has given you with your parish and diocese and with those most in need. Please continue to pray for the universal church, your diocese, and your bishop.

Published Jan. 30, 2003