Generosity

Lars Christensen

 

My wife, Maclore and I have been attending St. Matthew's for about twelve years. One of the things that attracted us to the church in the first place was the choir, which I immediately joined. I am grateful to be part of a parish church that nonetheless performs such beautiful and diverse music, a product of Michael's skills as conductor and director, the gifts of the wonderful musicians that I get to sing or play alongside, and the long-term commitment the vestry has chosen to make to support this aspect of our worship service. As in the Parable of the Talents, the investments in time, money, and abilities continue to yield dividends that enrich our worship week after week, and upon which, through proper stewardship, we continue to build.

Many of you over the years have expressed to me your gratitude for the music we make, whether it was a moment in a song that you found particularly moving, the overall quality of our musicianship when we attempt challenging pieces, or our efforts to diversify our repertoire to reflect the global composition of both the Anglican communion and our little parish, to celebrate more deeply with Christians around the world and throughout the ages. I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute, to be generous in adding my talents and thereby multiplying those the church brings forth, to help make the service more meaningful for all of you.

I know all of you similarly contribute your own talents and resources as part of our church's many other ministries that improve our worship, fellowship, or relationship with our community. I know this is one of the more active churches around, with members not just gathering passively for service but themselves serving in so many ways. Some of these we notice every week, like the participants in the service or those making the food we share afterwards, while others are more invisible, like my wife, Maclore who is right now downstairs in the nursery helping care for our youngest parishioners, or those who work in social justice to use our resources to make our city and world a fairer place, or those who offer their gifts in the collection plate. For all these and more, I am grateful.