Stewardship of Relationships – St. Nick’s News Dec. 12, 2025

Full St. Nick’s News for December 12, 2025

Dear Friends,

A few days ago, a friend reminded me that we can learn so much about God, faith, and servanthood if we’d just pay attention to the animals around us.

I laughed and agreed — because I know where these conversations usually go — and sure enough, he started right in: first about the unconditional love of dogs (“dog is God backwards and proof of God’s Grace,” he said), then about koalas and how they remind us that rest is holy, and finally about geese. I’m fairly certain he would have gone on to elephants or dolphins if I hadn’t interrupted him — but he had me hooked with the geese.

Years ago, I read an article about geese that has stayed with me ever since. Maybe you’ve seen them, too — that unmistakable V-formation flying high above in the sky, calling to each other as they move across the seasons. Scientists say the formation helps them fly farther together than they ever could alone. The lead goose cuts the wind, creating lift for those behind. And when the lead grows tired, another takes its place. The honking we hear from below? It’s encouragement — their way of saying, “You’ve got this. Keep going.”

Even more beautiful is what happens when one goose falls behind or is hurt. Two others drop out of formation and follow it down. They stay with their companion until it either recovers or dies. If it recovers, they fly together until they find a new flock or catch up with their own.

That image still moves me — because it’s exactly what Christian community is supposed to look like.

At St. Nick’s, we have been and often talk about stewardship as time, talent, and treasure — and that’s true. But there’s another kind of stewardship we don’t name as often: the stewardship of relationships. Our relationship with God. Our relationship with one another.

Like those geese, we take turns leading and following. We encourage one another when faith gets hard. And when one of us falters, the others draw close, staying near until strength returns. That’s stewardship, too — tending to the gift of community God has entrusted to us.

In the Episcopal Church, we say that our mission is to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ. That’s what stewardship really is — a way of participating in that unity. At St. Nicholas Hill Country Episcopal Church, we live that mission as a community of loving, giving, joyful followers of Jesus, inspired by the generosity of our namesake and the joy of the shepherd who finds his lost sheep.

Every pledge, every meal shared, every prayer whispered is part of this holy work. Through your giving — of time, talent, treasure, and heart — we’re creating spaces where people can experience the love, healing, and belonging of Christ.

We are, helping each other fly.

And when I think about the wider creation — the patience of a turtle, the devotion of a mother bird, the trust of a dog who simply rests in the presence of the one she loves — I realize that God has been teaching us these truths all along. Creation itself is a sermon about how to live faithfully: to love deeply, to rest well, to care for one another.

So as we close this stewardship season, I simply want to say thank you. Thank you for your generosity, your faithfulness, and your love for this flock called St. Nick’s. Thank you for taking your place in formation — for leading when you can, following when you need to, and always, always honking words of encouragement to those beside you.

May the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus as we continue this journey together — each of us doing our part to stay in flight, following the One who leads us in love.

God’s Peace, Love, and Blessings,
Rev. Beth+

Thank You for Your Commitment — and Look at What We Built Together!

What a joyful Sunday we shared! As we wrapped up our Stewardship Season, the generosity of this community shone brightly. Thank you to every household who turned in a commitment card—your faithfulness and partnership ensure that St. Nick’s continues to grow as a place of welcome, hope, and courageous love.

And… we did it!

Our community puzzle is complete, piece by piece, commitment by commitment. It’s a beautiful reminder that St. Nick’s is built not by any one of us, but by all of us—each offering what we can, all of it woven together into something holy and whole.

For those who might have missed the opportunity to make a pledge, you can find our online pledge card on our website here on our donation page. You can also find pledge cards for 2026 on the welcome table. We also welcome all giving through our online donation forms.

While our stewardship season of learning is over, we know that God’s work continues—and we get to live out that beautiful story piece by piece.

A special word of gratitude to:

• Erin Wood, who spent time interviewing members of our community about why they give—reminding us that generosity is rooted in story, gratitude, and purpose.
• All of the people (of all ages) who shared their thoughts and ideas on stewardship, inspiring and educating us along our journey of faith.

Thank you, St. Nick’s, for showing up, stepping up, and giving with such full hearts.

The puzzle may be complete—but the story God is writing through us has only just begun.

With an abundance of gratitude,

Haley Bankey – Giving with Grace Stewardship Coordinator