This stewardship campaign is a faith-based program patterned after the New Consecration Sunday Program developed by Reverend Dr. Herb Miller.

Our year- round emphasis has been to focus upon God’s Great Commission, Matt 28: 18-20.  The Session has adopted a new Faith Statement, which we say together as a part of every worship service.

Faith Statement
We are disciples of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
May all that we think, all that we say, and all that we do
Be in response to the grace we receive from God
Through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Thanks Be to God!

By focusing upon personal spiritual growth through discipleship, we understand that stewardship grows out of “who we are” not something we do.  To expand upon this understanding, we entered our season of stewardship by developing a Stewardship Thru Discipleship plan which included personal minutes for mission  each Sunday by all members of Session plus others from the congregation.  Special focus was included to highlight how we have grown in response to God’s gifts in every area of our life and ministry.  We gathered for special events and enjoyed many fellowship activities together.  We communicated to our entire membership and friends through letters and phone contacts inviting everyone to gather on Consecration Sunday to worship and listen to our children sing and play bells.  We heard an inspirational message from our Pastor and brought our Estimate of Giving cards forward to be dedicated to God’s mission here and beyond our bounds.  Then----We Celebrated.

In 2007, we have seen growth in terms of committing time to worship, study, teach, work, Pray and Play, and in service to our church and community.  We have seen growth in committing our talents to teach our children and adults, to plan and participate in many fellowship activities.  We have seen our music program grow to enhance our worship services.  We have seen our Christian Education Program grow including a new VBS program, titled “Growing Outdoor Disciples”, based upon understanding God’s creation and how we live in it.

We have truly experienced the Spirit of God working through our congregation.  Our financial commitment increased by over 11%, and our spiritual commitment as Disciples continues to grow.

We would be glad to share our story and our materials with anyone who has interest. Please contact:  Burrel Stults, Elder at Pennfield Presbyterian Church near Battle Creek , acornecove@aol.com

Pastor Karen Kelly shares some thoughts on their stewardship method - "The Myrrh Project is part of our 'Three Gifts' stewardship method.  It expands the fall stewardship emphasis to consider our stewardship of Gold (money), Frankincense (our spiritual life), and Myrrh (time and talents). Frankincense involves a member-written devotional that is mailed in weekly installments to each household in the month of November.  The pledge form is an 8½ x 14 sheet of paper (see example ) with sections for “Gold” (financial pledge, torn off by the Financial Secretary before anyone else is given the forms), “Frankincense” (a place to check possible opportunities for spiritual growth that you think would be helpful to you in the next year), and “Myrrh” (lengthy time and talents section, with places to serve both inside and outside the church).  The other part of “Myrrh” is the “Myrrh Project,” an 8-week accumulation of items for Thanksgiving Baskets. Eight weeks before Thanksgiving, everyone is asked to bring a box of instant mashed potatoes. The next week is a can of green beans, the next a box of stuffing, and so on.  The last two weeks are for financial contributions toward rolls, pumpkin pie, (actual items purchased for boxes) and meat (a gift card to a grocery store). The non-perishables accumulate on tables at the front of the sanctuary and is quite awesome to watch happen. The Monday before Thanksgiving volunteers sort them into boxes by family size, and on Tuesday evening we have a time and place for families to come and pick them up with those who can’t make that coming to the church on Wednesday. Our little congregation filled 60 boxes this way last year, about one per person (not family!) based on average attendance during that time period!  We have ongoing food collection the rest of the year as well, but everyone really loves this one!"