BUILDING UP THE BODY OF CHRIST
In the Book of Nehemiah, we read the words of a leader who inspired his people to tend to their future. This Prophet gathered the faithful and said, “Let us rise up and build.” (Nehemiah 2:18) With courage and conviction, the people responded: “So they strengthened their hands for the good work.”
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Our 2026 Stewardship theme, “Rise Up and Build,” calls each of us to strengthen our parish through faith, generosity, and shared commitment. For generations, St. Athanasios has been built by the hands and hearts of its faithful members. Now, as we look to the future, we are called to continue this sacred work by striving toward Stewardship Independence: ensuring that the full operation and ministry of our parish are sustained entirely by the stewardship offerings of our faithful.
This vision is both achievable and inspiring. If, on average, each household in our parish family offered just 2–3% of their annual income as stewardship, our community would reach complete financial independence—allowing every ministry, every act of service, and every outreach to be funded by our shared commitment to Christ and His Church.
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Your stewardship is not simply a financial contribution—it is a statement of faith, a participation in the holy work of building the Body of Christ here at St. Athanasios. We invite you to reflect on how you can rise up and build with us in 2026.
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Fr. Panagiotis Boznos
WHAT IS STEWARDSHIP
Stewardship is about growing and returning to God the gifts that He has given to us. The Lord shows us that burying our gifts is no different than never really having them in the first place (Matthew 25:14-30). As followers of Christ, we are called to be Good and Faithful Servants, over the gifts He entrusts to us. This means investing our Time, our Talent, and our Treasures for the growth of His Church.
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Over the past few months, the Parish Council has laid out a vision of ministry and life for the near future in our parish. It is one that sees our Parish growing in depth and reach, both into our own souls and the hearts of the community around us so “that all should be saved and come to the knowledge of truth” (1 Timothy 2:4). Yet this vision will only be possible with the Stewardship of Good and Faithful Servants.
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The Stewardship Committee asks you to reflect upon the gifts and blessings that God has bestowed upon you. Then prayerfully consider how you might be a Good and Faithful Servant of the Lord through your Stewardship of Time, Talent, and Treasure. Please complete and return your 2026 Stewardship Commitment as we grow in salvation and the knowledge of truth.
Stewardship is caring for the needs of others. Stewardship is offering one’s self to God as He offered Himself to us. Stewardship is what a person does after saying “I believe…” as proof of that belief.
- Williams and McKibben in Oriented Leadership
WAYS TO GIVE
