Browsing by Sharron R. Blezard
Cultivating Gratefulness
Good stewards are by nature grateful people who recognize the abundance all around them. Want to cultivate more gratefulness in your own life or in the life of your congregation? Explore these four practical strategies for becoming more grateful. You won’t be disappointed. (Photo: Shannon Kringen, Creative Commons License)
An Experiment: Year-Round Stewardship
Check out how St. Nicholas Episcopal Church in Germantown, Maryland, is embracing a new approach to stewardship.From Vital Practices, the online newsletter of the Episcopal Church Foundation. (Photo: joiseyshowaa, Creative Commons License)
17 Practical Ways to Embrace Stewardship
Have you read Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si? If so, great! Consider these 17 practical ideas for better stewardship. If not, put Lauato Si at the top of your reading list and get a head start with these tips from writer Constance T. Hull. (Photo: IFPL, Creative Commons License)
A Simple Lesson in Stewardship
Ninth Sunday after Pentecost, Year B, July 26, 2015
What do bread and stewardship have to do with each other? Check out this week’s lectionary reflection for our thoughts. You’ll also find ideas for worship and for time with youth and children. (Photo: Steve Cadman, ,Creative Commons)
The Nature / Mood Connection
The gift of God’s good creation offers much more than beauty. New research points to a connection between walking in natural settings and improved moods. Our Creator provided for all of our needs. Sabbath rest in the natural world is a win/win proposition–and good stewardship of self, too! (Photo used by Creative Commons License. Thanks!)
How are the Children?
Most church folk are quick to cite the importance of serving children and families because children are “the future of the church.” But what about right now? How are our children doing? How are we caring for the “least of these”? Check out this article from Christian Science Monitor about the recently released Kids Count […]
We Can Afford to be Generous
“Generosity is a form of trust,” says pastor and author Brian Zahnd. “This is why Jesus constantly tells us not to worry about scarcity, but to trust in God. We are not limited to a finite, zero-based, closed-system universe.” Check out this compelling reflection–especially in light of the gospel lesson for this coming Sunday (9th Sunday after Pentecost, Year B). Photo: Erik Fitzpatrick, Creative Commons
Peace and More Peace
Eighth Sunday after Pentecost, Year B, July 19, 2015
This is a good Sunday to preach and teach about peace–both peace found in our unity in Christ and peace that Christ commands us to seek in rest and time apart. Whichever route you take, we all need a little more peace in our lives. That’s one thing upon which we can all find common ground. (Photo: bana gurl, Creative Commons)
8 Reasons Leaders Need Solitude & 5 Doable Ways to Find It
In this week’s gospel lesson, Jesus hears everything his disciples have done and promptly invites them to “Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest awhile” (Mark 6:30-31a). This is good advice that’s tough to take; in fact, it’s critical to our leadership, health, and spiritual and emotional well-being. Author and pastor Carey Nieuwhof has a few ideas to help. (Photo: Leland Francisco, Creative Commons)
The High Cost of Truth-Telling
Seventh Sunday after Pentecost, Year B
July 12, 2015
What is the cost of discipleship? Are you willing to go there? Are you willing to speak out, stand up, and move your feet for justice and love of neighbor? What are you willing to lose? This Sunday’s gospel is a great springboard for discussing discipleship and taking a stand. Blessings on your preaching and teaching, bold colleagues. (Photo: Keith Bacongo, Creative Commons)
