Living Stewardship: Gratitude and Generosity in the First Months of the Year

As we turn the page on January and look ahead to the rest of 2025, now is a great time to plan a schedule of year-round stewardship communication. Too often, stewardship is discussed only in the fall, tied to the annual pledge campaign. But stewardship is more than fundraising—it’s a spiritual practice that nurtures gratitude and generosity year-round.

Year-round stewardship isn’t about constant fundraising. It’s about embracing stewardship as a way of life—responding to God’s generosity with gratitude, care, and faithful action.

Let’s explore ways to incorporate stewardship messaging throughout the first few months of the year, using the liturgical calendar as a guide.

Seasons of our Episcopal Calendar

The liturgical calendar provides natural opportunities to connect stewardship messaging with what people are hearing and doing in church. With a little planning, it can serve as a framework for integrating stewardship into the natural rhythms of church life, emphasizing gratitude, generosity, and connection.

Here are some ways stewardship messaging can align with the next few months of the liturgical calendar.

February: Epiphany, Shrove Tuesday, Ash Wednesday

Epiphany invites us to reflect on the gifts of the Magi and their meaning in our lives.

• Epiphany as a Season of Gifts: Encourage reflection on the gifts of the Magi and their symbolism of gratitude and generosity. This can be a meaningful message of thanks to pledgers and donors.
• Epiphany as a Season of Light: Highlight how financial support to your church makes it possible for the church to be light in the world, reflecting God’s love through our time, talents, and resources. Link your members’ generosity with the ability of the church to provide outreach, such as feeding programs.

As Lent begins with Ash Wednesday, consider incorporating the concept of stewardship into themes of self-examination and spiritual growth. This might include conversations about how our actions and priorities reflect our faith.

Meditations with a Stewardship Message

Provide parishioners with short reflections or prayers that connect stewardship to the themes of Epiphany and Lent. Two options:

• A Spirituality of Fundraising by Henri Nouwen (great for discussion groups)
• A Generous Life: 28 Days of Devotion (daily readings on gratitude, prayer, and faith

March: Lent and Planned Giving

Lent offers a time of reflection and preparation. Use this season to:

• Review your planned giving ministry. Are your records up to date? Do you have informational materials readily available? Consider hosting a workshop or discussion about planned giving.
• Promote online giving or explore electronic giving options. If you already have these tools, think of creative ways to raise awareness and make them more accessible to parishioners.
• Invite your stewardship team to a prayerful reflection on the spirituality of giving. Compile scriptures or writings on the spirituality of giving and organize a retreat-style session.

April: Holy Week, Easter, and Earth Day

Easter’s themes of renewal and resurrection can inspire fresh stewardship initiatives. Celebrate God’s gifts and encourage parishioners to use their time, talents, and resources to serve others.

• Holy Week:Reflect on Christ’s ultimate gift of love and how it inspires our own acts of generosity and stewardship.
• Easter: Emphasize themes of renewal and resurrection, encouraging parishioners to see their stewardship as a way to participate in God’s work of renewal in the world.
• Earth Day (April 22): Highlight stewardship of creation. Consider hosting an event or service project that emphasizes care for the environment as an act of faith.

Stewardship: A Life of Gratitude and Generosity

As we journey through 2025, let’s embrace stewardship not as a seasonal obligation but as a joyful, year-round practice. Through intentional planning and heartfelt generosity, we can deepen our faith and strengthen our communities every day of the year.