Stewardship is using God's gifts according to His will. The aim of stewardship is to increase our willingness to yield all we have to God.

Stewardship

Saint Matthew's has adopted as its mission statement "To know Christ and to make Him known." By saying this, we are committing ourselves to use our resources to grow in our obedience to God, both as individuals and a community, and to share the life-giving message of Jesus Christ with those dwelling beyond our walls through our programs and our lives. To accomplish our goal we dedicate ourselves to developing an every member ministry through the exercise of our God-given gifts.

In calling us to present ourselves, God is calling us to bring offerings from all that we have and all that we are to his altar. Our worship, our demonstration of gratitude to God, is not to be confined to our financial resources, but to all the gifts that God has given us. When we look at our lives, there are three precious resources made available to us by God -- time, talent and treasure. True stewardship includes offerings to God from all three.

Buildings and Grounds Committee

The committee works diligently on the many physical needs of St. Matthew's. The committee also coordinates its efforts in the context of the findings of our Facilities Use and Renovation Task Force. The Task Force was charged with surveying and assessing the current use and condition of the facilities of St. Matthew's and to develop a five year plan for facilities use and renovation.

The Committee has tackled numerous immediate problems such as space renovation and other improvements such as lighting, floor coverings, window and ceiling replacements, painting and other repairs.

Jamie Cocke Fund

The Jamie Cocke Fund was established by the Vestry in November 1993 to provide long-term expense assistance for a young member of the congregation who is facing an organ transplant -- Jamie Cocke. As the strong support of the Vestry and the congregation is the backbone of our efforts to reach our goal of $250,000, the treasurer and assistant treasurer thank all contributors for their support.

Memorial Garden

Our Memorial Garden has been selected by many St. Matthew's families as the final resting place for their remains. Of the 116 spaces, 19 have been used, six reserved for spouses and 15 reserved but no space assigned.

A Memorial Garden bulletin, application form and Funeral and Burial Instructions Form may be obtained from the church office.

St. Matthew's Episcopal Church Endowment Fund, Inc.

Gifts to the Endowment Fund, which was established by the Vestry in January of 1990, are conservatively invested by the Board of Directors. The income which is produced therefrom is distributed each year, fifty percent to Work Inside the Parish and fifty percent for Work Outside the Parish. Manifesting the wisdom of the Board in its investments, contributions will continue to serve God's purpose at St. Matthew's in perpetuity.