2026 Stewardship Letter
September 22, 2025

We are pilgrims on a journey, we're together on this road. 
We are here to help each other walk the mile and bear the load.

--The Servant Song

Our stewardship word and theme of the year is “synodality.” It comes from the Greek words syn (together) and hodos (way or journey).  It involves a process of listening to one another's experiences and insights to discern the movement of the Holy Spirit in the church’s life and mission. It is also where we get the idea of a “synod” in church governance. (No, we are not going to be starting another church council. How painful that would be!)

The church is always at its best when we are walking together. The synodal path is not about church meetings. It’s not about debating this or that issue. It’s about walking together into an open-ended adventure led by the Spirit, encountering real people along the way, and finding new ways of relating that bring life and light, and meaning. It’s about journeying together into the future with others who are different from us. As it turns out, synodality is core to the genius of Jesus.  

Jesus’ preferred method of transformation is not to host a church council that studies the problems plaguing humanity. His preferred method of transformation is to go for a walk. He invites us to join him on a long walk to undergo the human experience together and learn what it means to be accompanied and seen, and loved. When I think of the social fragmentation happening in our world, perhaps the synodal journey has never been more necessary and important. 

Our goal, which is paramount to our 2026 budget, is to get everyone to pledge. As always, even a $0 pledge is still a pledge, and it gives us a clearer understanding about what we can and cannot do for the upcoming year. In this regard, we really need your help!

 With you on the synodal journey in gratitude, always,
Jon & the Finance Committee