Designated an Historical Landmark by the City of Columbia, SC in 2025
St. Timothy's Episcopal Church
900 Calhoun St. * Columbia, South Caroling
Stewardship at St. Timothy's Episcopal Church
Stewardship is about being grateful, responsible stewards of the gifts we receive from God. The tradition of giving back to God and to the church comes from the Biblical practice of “tithing,” which means to give back a tenth of our earnings to God (Numbers 18:26). The Episcopal Church sees stewardship as more than simply contributing money to the church; it’s also about contributing time and talents and volunteering for ministry and mission. It’s about reaching out to build relationships from a perspective of abundance instead of scarcity. It is about the careful administration of God's creation and God's gifts to us.
My Story
I am really taken with the "fragrant offering to God" piece of our stewardship campaign.
Growing up, neither my brother nor I much enjoyed baths, especially in summer. We spent days riding bikes all over creation, playing in dog kennels, cow barns, or occasionally working in a tobacco field. Every evening at bath time we heard" My Lord, you smell to high heavens." Even my Mama had an interest in heavenly smells.
St Tim's has so many ways to "smell to high heaven" (in a good way). One is by making a financial commitment to our shared ministry. My philosophy is for everyone to give what you can. A sacrifice pleasing to God. Only you can decide monetarily how much that sacrifice can be. There is also the sacrifice of giving of your time, your talents. Everyone has some talent that can be put to good use. For some it is serving as a greeter, others may be involved with vestry, many will help with coffee hour. There are many, many opportunities.
In short, I ask that we as a parish make a "sweet" smell to high heaven during our stewardship campaign with our time, talent and treasure.
Who knew my Mama was such a theologian!
Art