Luke 2:29-32

Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in sight of all the peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.

- SIMEON ON HOLDING THE INFANT JESUS IN THE TEMPLE, LUKE 2:29 - 32

Simeon is a holy man of Israel who has been told by the Holy Spirit that he would not die until he sees the Lord’s Messiah. He holds the baby Jesus and exclaims this canticle proclaiming that Jesus will be the light of the world, a declaration we heard last week in Matthew and made also in John. Let us go out and be that light in our community.

Our financials from July 1 through December 31 were much better than at the end of September. The message that our savings was disappearing at an alarming rate was heard and we responded with a healthy increase in giving. Thank you!!! However, we are a long way from breaking even. Some year-end gifts will not be repeated in the second half, and the interim administrator was a volunteer in the last three months. We have a very lean expense side, so we need to keep St Therese as a priority in our giving. 

There will be a few new safety measures coming soon: hand rails at the choir risers, hand rails at the railroad-tie steps to the playfield, new wood chips at the play structures, and lights at the parish center entrance. 

Stewardship is not fundamentally about raising money. Stewardship is fundamentally about understanding that all we have is a gift from God, entrusted to us to take care of our community and ourselves. Sharing of our God-given wealth and abilities saves us from shrinking into islands of narcissism, and it builds our communities, whether at St Therese, Seattle or the wider world. 

                                                                               July 1 through December 31:

   2019    2018

Revenue $208,171 $211,066

Expense $228,089 $253,317

Net Revenue  ($  19,918)      ($  42,251)