Spiritus Gladius 
http://stpaulsavannah.org/category/spiritus-gladius-newsletter/

REFLECTIONS: 

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ:

As we celebrate Thanksgiving and all the blessings which are ours let us not forget that the liturgy reminds us that we are part and parcel of a greater whole. Our presence at St. Paul’s, has been enabled and underwritten - sometimes in blood - not only by those who have worshiped here but by generations of Disciples from around the world who have made manifest the truth which is the revelation of God in Jesus Christ. We celebrate every time we gather the opportunity which is ours to make this truth manifest to others. The early Church referred to each other as Saints - to the extent we are able to recapture this vision for our on time in ways which identify and encour- age the special gifts which are ours to carry out God's purposes, we will be walking in a way that is ancient of days yet new as today.

Our Baptism and its call to a life of Sanctification is the challenge and the opportunity of Stewardship. As a vision for life Stewardship encourages and enables an expression of love which is not self-centered but God-centered. It reflects God love for us and our love of God in return. It recognizes our vocation to discover and develop those gifts which are ours by the grace of God. Using them responsibly, regularly and as part of a lifelong commitment. Stewardship of the gifts which are ours in an intentional manner is an honor. It has the added benefit of influenc- ing the way we work, live and think!

Key to Christian living is how we use God's possessions. Our perfect example is Jesus. He used every gift, including his life, to glorify and serve God. Setting aside the first portion and dedicating it to the Glory of God is not only a way to thank God for blessing us with special gifts but the act recognizes our deep need to give something back to God. Because our commitment to God can't be expressed in any single action the emphasis is to give from our substance and not our left overs. To make sharing a top priority - not something we do with our remaining time and money is key to a rewarding and peaceful way of life. The lives of the Saints both “sung and un- sung” bear witness to the benefits of giving with an open heart and an open hand. Giving sacrificially deepens and enriches our personal relationship with Jesus and it makes the world we live in a better place for everyone.

The resources which each of us have are valuable tools for change. The Parable of the Rich Fool (Lk 12:13-21) and the Parable of the Talents (Mtt 25:14-30) give us Jesus instruction on how to approach our resources, as opposed to the promptings of the world. Not only are we called to use them as tools for change but we are asked to use those resources wisely and to the glory of God. Giving regularly and proportionally, with the Biblical standard of the tithe (10% of one’s annual income) teaches us to be honest about our real needs. The Tithe challenges us to distin- guish our needs from our wants. I Timothy 6:6-10 reminds us of the snares associated with riches and that "through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced their hearts with many pangs." In the end our gifts from God should be a source of joy - many have found that when they share of their first fruits with the intention of supporting work of the Church this joy is truly possible, not because of what it buys but because of what it gives to our sense of purpose and well-being. WWIII 

 

The Rt Rev Scott A. Benhase, D. Min., D.D. Bishop of Georgia
The Most Rev Michael B. Curry, D. D. Presiding Bishop and Primate, Episcopal Church, USA
The Most Rev & Rt Hon. Justin Welby, D.D. Archbishop of Canterbury

Honorary Assistant Clergy
Canon J. Robert Carter Jr., Ph.D.
Father George B. Salley
The Rev. John G. Anderson Lutheran Pastor in Residence

Staff
The Very Rev. Dr. Wm Willoughby III, OStJ Rector & Dean of Savannah
The Reverend Charles E. Todd, ECSB Vicar & Latino/Hispanic Missioner
The Reverend Michael J. Chaney, Associate & College Missioner
The Reverend Susan E. Gahagan, ECSB Deacon
Dr. Irene Feddern, Director of Music
Kay Saussy, Parish Secretary
Joe Daniels, Sexton
Victor Moreno, Pastoral Assistant 
Colleen Willoughby, Youth Minister
Gregory Powell, Evening Mass Musician

The Vestry
Beth Robinson, Senior Warden, 19
August Breton, Junior Warden, 19
Sara Ward, Clerk, 19
Jim Burch, 20
Heather Downs, 18
Frank Hodge,18
Erick Nowicki 19
Dan Porter, 20 
Carl Pruetz, Treasurer, 18 
Cuffy Sullivan, 20
Lily Wong, 20
Ellen Wyatt, 18