This is a series of informational paragraphs to identify the different ministries and opportunities that we have for stewardship of our church, our community and the world about us and what they accomplish.
Stewardship at St. David’s on the Hill - Beyond the Collection Plate
Opportunities abound and St. David’s parishioners respond. To become involved in any opportunity contact the Parish Administrator, Beth Hammond at 401-942-4368, talk with a Vestry member or contact the person noted in the article.
What is Stewardship?.
According to Miriam Webster On-line Dictionary - Stewardship: the conducting, supervising, or managing of something; especially: the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one's care. From Wikipedia - In Christian tradition, stewardship also refers to the way time, talents, material possessions, or wealth are used or given for the service of God.
August, 2011
Cranston Interfaith Food Pantry– Each week St. David’s parishioners place non-perishable food items in the basket in the Narthex. These donations range from canned spaghetti sauce to peanut butter and cereal. Twice each month parishioners deliver the food to the Cranston Interfaith Food Pantry, located at 95 Hathaway St. in Providence, just beyond the intersection of Park and Elmwood Avenues. You could help deliver the food to the food bank or work at the food bank on Saturday morning each month. This is a form of stewardship of our community and provides much need nourishment for those in need. Michael Sheldon, a St. David’s Parishioner is the contact person for this ministry at 401-353-5836 and is coordinator of the Cranston Interfaith Food Pantry. Bringing food items each week is the easiest and most important form of this stewardship opportunity for everyone.
September, 2011
E-Waste Collection and Paper Shredding Event – This is an opportunity which addresses stewardship of the earth. Most electronic items are constructed with heavy metals such as cadmium, lead and mercury. If discarded in a landfill, these elements leech out and are toxic to the environment, to humans and to birds, fish and animals. By collecting these items for dismantling and recycling, a large proportion of these toxic elements are recycled or reused. Paper shredding, as well as providing an opportunity and a service to our community, allows shredded paper to be recycled, in this case made into paper plates. While we do receive a small donation for each item and each pound of material shredded, preventing contamination of the earth and living creatures and saving thousands of trees is the main purpose of this activity. Garden City Center generously provides their parking lot for these twice yearly events. You can contact Evie Bain at 401-946-0801,or Ted Daly at 401-943-5191, if you would like to become involved, or just bring your unneeded electronic items for recycling or personal papers for shredding to the next event.
October, 2011
Holiday on the Hill Bazaar – This is a stewardship opportunity to raise funds to manage our parish. Each year for decades, parishioners have gathered to prepare and present a bazaar for parish member and the Cranston community. Opportunities include working with the planning committee, setting up, working on the day of the bazaar, take down and clean up on the day following the event. A few hours spent by more people makes less work for everyone. The event is a major fund raiser for our parish. Donating home cooked food items such as pies, cakes and cookies and candy or whatever is your specialty goes a long way to making the bazaar a success. If you are unable to participate in planning or preparing, you can bring your gently used items, clothing, kitchen ware or furniture to be sold in Grannies Attic. But the best opportunity for stewardship is to attend the Holiday on the Hill Bazaar to support St. David’s and your fellow parishioners. Grace Malaby, at 401-821-6011, is the contact person for the bazaar.