Part and Presence of Something Bigger
/The Rev. Beth Echols, Rector
I have been met by many surprises since my first introduction to St. Benedict Episcopal Church. Many of them have been awesome and beyond measure, some have been challenging and a few remaining perplexing.
The most bewildering seems to be the practice of ‘burning pledge cards’. I have not been able to find the origin of this peculiar ritual though its influence appears enduring and vast.
There is a long-standing tradition of ‘pledge’ in the Episcopal Church that has its roots in our Anglican cousins and grounded in our Christian faith.
Pledging begins at baptism when sponsors or godparents, along with the Congregation, pledge to raise up this person or child in Christ. Pledging continues in confirmation and the other sacraments until we release our soul into the loving embrace of God.
As of the Vestry meeting on the 18th of December, the Treasurer reported that 31 souls have pledged to the life of the Community. In these turbulent times pledging may be scary. This I know from a review of my own finances and yet we are called to a life of faith that is grounded in love more so than Wall Street predictions.
The previous bishop of our Diocese, The Rt. Rev. Greg Rickels penned the below prayer for your consideration:
Gracious and loving God, giver of all that is good and true and beautiful and life-giving: These cards represent our sweat, they represent our lives, they represent our dreams.
The pledges which we make on them are but tokens of the awesome gifts that have been given to us and they are pledged in thanksgiving for all that we have received, for all we have been inspired to be, for all we are challenged to become, in this place.
May they be the first fruits of all we have and now what we have left over, so that we may live out as best as possible how you give to us. May we see them as offering to you, sacred, hold, yet earthly, filled with possibilities.
May be hold this image in our hearts and our minds so as we watch our offerings each week come to your table; we can see our very selves being part of this offering. It is us on the table, living sacrifice to you. ~ Amen
