You wonderful people of All Saints’, I have been thinking a lot about our youth and how we could better serve them. It is wonderful to see them running around All Saints’ as if it is their home. It is their home. Christ is their home. To see Wiley running up and down the aisle in the nave is heartwarming. It is impressive to see Cass as Verger on Youth Sunday. We may just need him to be part of the Verger ministry. I do wish everyone could experience the feeling of placing the host, the bread, in each of their little hands knowing that they are a part of the Body of Christ. Jesus did say, “Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs.”

Our focus should not be to simply increase the number of young people that come here. Our mission and ministry should be to be with those who are here and be a part of their journey as followers of Christ. The ministry of every adult in the church is to use all of our power to support our children and youth in their life in Christ. It is important for us to remember that as we support them in their life in Christ, all of us will grow in Christ.

Our slogan for our stewardship pledge drive this year is, “Investing in our future.” However, we are not just investing in the future, but also, now. As we support our young people in their life in Christ, we too grow deeper in our life in Christ. When we give of ourselves, we are giving to support All Saints’ as the body of Christ and to do the work that God has given us to do. Part of that work is to help our children and youth to grow in Christ so they may represent Christ to the world, to our community.

The drawing you see on your pledge card was done by one of our kids. We asked them to draw how they see All Saints’. You are seeing All Saints’ through their eyes. Of course, this is just a drawing, so I ask you, put yourself in their place and try to see All Saints’ as they see it. In doing so, I hope you see All Saints’ as a loving, caring place like home. I hope you see yourself being comfortable enough to run up and down the aisle during the service or standing in the back saying the dismissal with Billy. I know we are supporting the children and youth of All Saints’ in their life in Christ. All Saints’ operating fund allows us to do the work God has given us to do. I also know there is more that we can do, more that we need to do. Your pledge is an investment in the here and now, and the future.

God bless,
Phillip+