A Special Message on Time and Talent

Dear Transfiguration Family,

So often when the subject of stewardship is brought up, the first thought that comes to mind is financial support. It goes without saying that money is vital in order for the church to meet its operational expenses and grow. That being said, however, I’d like to talk a little bit about other ways to pledge and give as we proceed through our stewardship campaign that involve gifts other than money. Time and talent are equally valuable and just as necessary to the operation and ministry of the church. I hope my brief story helps motivate those who might be considering a pledge of time and talent in some way this year.

I became a member of Transfiguration more than three years ago now, and in that time, I have been nurtured and encouraged to grow and thrive. I began and am continuing my studies in the Education for Ministry (EfM) program through the Episcopal Church, which has an element of discernment built into it allowing me to discover and explore my gifts and talents and consider how best to utilize them. I believe I have found several meaningful ways by being involved with the Compline group, the Social Media team, and serving on the Stewardship and 25^th Anniversary Committees.

My time at Transfiguration began with participation in the Compline group where I was blessed to find a very welcoming and loving community that made me feel very much at home. I was almost immediately accepted as part of the family. It wasn’t long before I was asked to take on some of the administrative duties and help with the coordination of the group. I was able to put to use some of the skills and software experience I had developed over the years of work in insurance and financial services.

I was soon approached by the interim rector at the time about assuming the role of website administrator. I felt woefully unqualified but was encouraged to give it a try, so I did. With the help and support of the Social Media team, I was able to learn the software and began to update and expand the church’s site. It has been an enjoyable endeavor and I’ve tried to make the page informative, dynamic and hopefully user-friendly. I’m always seeking feedback and am open to any suggestions. I’ll also be working on a pictorial slide show for next year’s 25^th Anniversary celebration.

I’m very blessed to have found my niche and have been given the love and support to carry out my ministries. During this stewardship campaign, I urge you to consider your time and talent. Give thought to what you’re good at or enjoy and see if that can fit somehow into the life of the parish. Consider helping with one of our existing ministries, or maybe start a new one if you see a need or area of opportunity. Ultimately, Transfiguration survives and thrives because people give of their time and talent as well as their treasure!

Blessings All,

Thomas Blum
Website Administrator