Time, Treasure Talent ... and Tuna Fish!
By Caroline Combs-Young
When I was growing up, a culture of stewardship was always present in my family, and I am really appreciative of that, because I learned at a very early age the importance of giving. I come from a long line of “Cradle Episcopalians”, as well as individuals who joined the Episcopal church from other denominations, who were active in both parish and diocesan ministries. My grandparents and parents always made it very clear to me that we had been blessed with bountiful gifts from God and that is was only fair that we give back some of what we had been given. They taught me that every little bit helps and that anyone could be a steward , regardless of age. My family always made sure to include me in their stewardship endeavors; my mother used to make a pledge card for me when I was little, and I was required to give a portion of my weekly allowance, which was non-negotiable, and they always made sure there were ample opportunities for me to give of my time and talents. For example, there are very few times in my life that I cannot remember being involved with the Helping Hands ministry, in fact I have been volunteering with that ministry since I was in utero. As I aged, I was always strongly “encouraged” to contribute both my time and my talents to the many ministries of this church.
I can always remember my parents and grandparents educating me on the 3 T’s of stewardship: Time, Talent, and Treasure, and how they were of equal importance. However, in my household there was a fourth T: tuna fish. Why tuna fish?: Well, when I was about 7, the Helping Hands program started asking the church school children to bring a food item each week that could be used in the distribution, a practice we still have today. Each child was given a food pledge card and was asked to select an item to bring each week. I chose tuna, so every week I proudly toted my can up to the altar to put in the food basket and I knew I was making a difference. One week, we discovered as we were getting ready for church that we were out of tuna. My mother suggested that I give one of the other plentiful cans in our pantry, but I would have none of that. I insisted that it HAD to be tuna because that was what I had pledged to give. I was still pretty literal in those days, so my father begrudgingly drove us to a Wiegel’s convenience store (this was in the days before 24-hour grocery stores) where my parents spent $3 on one can of tuna, which certainly wasn’t a wise use of their resources, but I got my pledged can of tuna.
So as you can see, I was given a strong foundation in terms of stewardship education and practices, and I am very grateful to my family for teaching me that, for making sure I was always included, and for leading by example.
I would like to briefly share with you why I still give and why I think it is so important. There was a turning point in my life where giving of the 3 T’s stopped being an obligation and it became both an opportunity and a privilege. It came shortly after I graduated from high school. The people of this church, building on 2 bequests that served as seed money, raised enough money to build what is now our Parish Hall Building. Why was that moment so important? Well it made me remember that when I was little my mother and I played the game where you fold your hands and make the shape of the church and say “Look at the church, Here is the steeple, open the door, and see all the people.” While wiggling your fingers to indicate the people. When we would do that, my mother would grab my fingers and tell me “Caroline, always remember that the people and clergy of a church are the most important part because they make things happen.”
That always stuck with me, because I realized that I was a part of a community, and what a community St. James is! I am so proud of this church for who we are and all we have accomplished, and that makes me excited to contribute the 3 T’s. When I look at this church, I see a community who not only accepts our differences but embraces them. I see a community that is united to not only share the gospel, but to live it as well. I see a community that tends and feeds God’s sheep, both inside and outside the church doors. I see a community that has accomplished so many amazing things because its members of all ages give generously of their time, their talents, their treasure, and yes, even their tuna fish. So thank you for what you have given, and what you will give in the future.
For more about our Helping Hands ministry...