I’m going to let you in on a little secret - people give to people, not causes, not organizations, not institutions, but people. Whether it’s the person asking them to give – the person they can’t say no to - or the person that will ultimately benefit from the donation – it’s people that inspire giving. Broken down into it’s basic elements, it comes down to two things - saving and changing lives, that’s why people give. Whether it’s changing someone’s life by providing the funds for a scholarship to attend school, or saving lives by donating to clean water projects in Africa. Or helping to save lives by donating to The Trevor Project, which provides a national 24-hours a day, seven days a week, toll-free confidential suicide hotline for gay and questioning youth.

I’m going to let you in on a little secret - people give to people, not causes, not organizations, not institutions, but people. Whether it’s the person asking them to give – the person they can’t say no to - or the person that will ultimately benefit from the donation – it’s people that inspire giving. Broken down into it’s basic elements, it comes down to two things - saving and changing lives, that’s why people give. Whether it’s changing someone’s life by providing the funds for a scholarship to attend school, or saving lives by donating to clean water projects in Africa. Or helping to save lives by donating to The Trevor Project, which provides a national 24-hours a day, seven days a week, toll-free confidential suicide hotline for gay and questioning youth.

Saving and changing lives. It’s that simple.

That’s why I spend most of my time at work telling stories, stories about the students whose lives will be changed through our scholarship and fellowship programs. Stories about the low-income DC residents whose lives will be changed by the services we provide at our free legal clinics, such as the tenants in landlord-tenant disputes our law students advocate on behalf of. Or the truly heartbreaking stories of HIV positive mothers, seeking assistance in accessing public benefits, drafting and executing last wills and testaments, powers of attorney and advanced directives and help to plan for the future care of their children by transferring legal custody to another member of the family or a friend.

Saving and changing lives.

Look around you, look at the people around you. Look at those sitting here on the alter. Now, look back at me! These are the lives you’re changing, by your presence. This is whom you’re giving for. This is why I’m giving. This is the community your pledge supports. Our lives are all being changed by deciding to come here, to this place of worship, this place of hope. This is a place where we come together in communion, come together in celebration, come together to worship. This is our story, that unfolds a little bit more every time we’re together.

Why do I give? I give because I’ve found a place that inspires me, touches me, and engages me. There have been many times I’ve sat in that very chair and had tears well up because something someone said right here on this alter, touched me, moved me profoundly.

I give because this is the place where I met Gregory Mackmin, who always, always manages to make me laugh, and can trade quotes from Airplane! with me. Thank you, Gregory. This is the place I met Matt Jarvis, whose vision of what we can become has moved and inspired many. Thank you, Matt. This is the place where I met John Johnson, who on a regular basis, awes me with his unwavering commitment and dedication to St. Thomas’ and its members. Thank you, John. This is the place I met Sarah Stewart, whose ongoing journey serves as a constant reminder that change and uncertainty aren’t the enemy, our fear of them is the enemy. Thank you, Sarah. This is the place where I met Clinton Anderson, who without really saying or doing anything in particular, always manages to make be feel accepted for exactly who I am. Thank you, Clinton. I give because this is where I met Nancy Lee, who shares herself in ways big and small, in ways you may not even recognize, until later, when you’ve found a quite moment to reflect on her email, her sermon, her words of encouragement. Thank you, Nancy Lee.

I give because this is the place where Anne and I sometimes arrive at loose ends with one another, and leave having found one another again during the offering of peace. I give because this is the place I feel closest to my beloved grandmother. I give to Flower Guild the week of her birthday every year because her gravesite is thousands of miles away, and this place is the next best thing. And I get to share my love for her with you all.

I give because I’m selfish, because I want this place to be here for me. I give because I want to keep this place alive and vibrant, so that we all have the opportunity to change the life of the next newcomer that walks through our doors downstairs, and to in turn, be changed by that person. I give because it’s my turn to give back for all that I have received from the people of this church. I hope I affect change in the lives of others through my presence. I know I can affect change with my financial contributions.

At the end of the day, stewardship funds will go to pay the electricity bill, the paper for the Order of Service bulletin you’re holding in your hands, the lease on the copy machine in the parish office, the wine we share every Sunday. Now, I know paying for these things doesn’t seem very exciting, but look at it this way, none of those things would be necessary, if we weren’t all sitting here today, a community of Christians sharing a spiritual journey.

I’ve told you my story. It’s your turn now St. Thomas’.