by Miller Andress
Fellow Members of the Congregation of Holy Family,
Over thirty years ago, when Jenny and I joined the congregation of Emmanuel Church in Orlando, the Rector came to visit. In the conversation I asked him, “How do you decide how much to give to the Church?”. His reply was a simple “That’s between you and God”. After some thought I took that to mean that we were to prepare ourselves for that conversation by knowing about the entities that we are considering to receive our giving.
Thus, my thoughts for you to consider in your giving to Holy Family.
When we arrived here twenty years ago, we found Holy Family and attended our first service in the trailers that are now the Conference Building. A very comfortable setting which facilitated getting to know those next to you. We were greeted with warmth and the feeling that this was where we wanted to be. Even encountered a Navy associate that I had last seen in Chu Lai, Vietnam. Although we have moved on to the new building, the congregation has continued the warmth for newcomers.
Soon after attending church, Joe Satterfield called one Tuesday and after some conversation, ordered me to meet him at the North Gate of Big Canoe at 0730 and we would travel to Jasper for the Men’s Breakfast at the Carriage House. The Wednesday breakfast has become a special time of my life with special people that talk about all sorts of subjects. Foremost is that we care about Holy Family and each other. We continue to visit each Wednesday through Zoom, which has made possible talking with John Spitznagel, one of the three elders twenty years ago, now living in Chapel Hill, NC
About that same time, I decided that another way to get to know people was to participate in the Grounds maintenance. I talked with Pete Cooke who was receptive and said he would meet me the next morning at what is now Pete’s Porch. I was given a wheelbarrow, a rake and a shovel. We then proceeded to a mountain of mulch and Pete showed me the trail where it was to go. Pete then thanked me for being there and left me. Got to know more people on other days. Pete’s organizing was a major effort of giving.
Holy Family’s significant involvement in the founding of Cares and Good Samaritan Clinic. This involvement resulted in a rewarding project for me, managing the construction of the first new building for Good Sam. Holy Family continues to have involvement through Board members, volunteers and giving.
The Holy Family clergy have been willing to accept/guide new programs. Our program of “Preparing well for the Elder Years” was encouraged and facilitated by the clergy and is well received by the congregation. Hopefully, we find a way to get restarted.
Pastoral care continues to be very special. Two clergy visits at 6:00 AM on successive days to St. Josephs in Atlanta are very special in my memory. The dedication of those who publish the current Pastoral Care emails that let us know whom we should be praying for or helping in other ways. I just received a call from Winship to report on Robert Wright. Sermons, Sunday School and Lenten Programs not only educate us but provide guidance/encouragement in our daily lives. We are blessed to have not only clergy but members of the parish who provide this.
The Pandemic has cancelled our face to face time such as Coffee after church. When do have church will have good food, provided by the Hospitality Committee, to facilitate our conversations and a good time to meet new people.
We are a volunteer congregation with a wonderful choir, grounds maintenance, altar guild, outreach, vestry and supporting committees and then all the local organizations we are involved in—Good Sam, Cares, ACES, Angels on Horseback, Boys and Girls Club and Mountain Stewards.
In summation, we are a congregation that cares about the people and the Parish and the surrounding community. We not only care but we give of Time, Talent and Treasure.
All of the above don’t happen without the clergy, administrative staff, operations and maintenance of buildings and grounds, operating supplies, donations to charitable organizations and donation to the Diocese of Atlanta. These cost money.
Hopefully I have provided a background for the Holy Family part of your discussion with God.
There are many other organizations that are part of our consideration of giving. Jenny and I have managed this by first deciding how much that we have to give for the year. We then decide what we consider our share of the budget of Holy Family and then distribute the rest to the others. Also there is the giving outside of the Annual Pledge to Holy Family and that is a judgment of our financial well being at that time.
Last, outside of our giving of Treasure, a most significant contribution to Holy Family is the giving of Time and Treasure. Holy Family would not be the wonderful congregation without giving all three – Time, Talent and Treasure.
Miller Andress