Kathleen Dunn, top left and Cheryl Judge, top right, are photographed with two of their students from the Neighborhood Center.
It has been one year since I assumed the role of Director of Stewardship at CTK. I want to take the opportunity to share some insights that I have learned along the way and the positive impact that embracing the Spirituality of Stewardship has made on my life.
Outside of the church world, the term stewardship is synonymous with fundraising. As a Christian disciple, stewardship is much more than simply raising funds for a campaign or project – it is, at the very core, a way of life that all Christians should aspire to. The most concise definition I have found comes from the Diocese of Wichita, which reads, “Stewardship is the grateful response of a Christian disciple who recognizes and receives God’s gifts and shares these gifts in love of God and neighbor.”
The four core values of this spirituality are identity, trust, gratitude, and love. In one of my earliest readings after taking on the new position, I was struck by the idea of thankfulness and the cultivation of a genuinely grateful heart for all God has given me. It is a conscious decision to take the time to become more aware of all the goodness surrounding me. With a heightened awareness of his goodness and generosity, I, in turn, want to give more of myself to those around me.
It is uplifting that God has opened my willingness to give back in various ways. I am active in our local mission initiative, serving as a teacher’s aide in an ESL classroom every Thursday night. This service has not only brought me joy but also a sense of belonging to a community. My time spent in daily prayer has increased, and the quality of that time has become more focused on the Word of God. The weekly meetings with my faith-sharing group are invaluable to my growth and understanding of how God speaks to me through his Word. Additionally, I have increased my annual giving. All of these steps taken are a natural progression for an active disciple of Christ. I am grateful for the clergy and staff that I serve alongside, for the parishioners that enlighten and inspire me and to the Lord for the opportunity to serve at CTK.
Cheryl Judge is the Director of Stewardship at CTK