October 22, 2026

This week, Rev. Jennifer and I spent a few days at Camp Capers (one of our three diocesan camps) for our Diocese of West Texas clergy conference. We slowed down, prayed, shared meals,  learned, renewed our ordination vows, and enjoyed time with clergy colleagues and friends, diocesan staff, and our bishops, the Rt. Rev. David Read and the Rt. Rev. Angela Cortiñas.

We were blessed to learn from the Rev. Dr. Steven Tomlinson, whose gifts are many and varied. He is an Episcopal priest and associate professor of leadership and administration at Seminary of the Southwest. With a Ph.D. in economics from Stanford, he spent seventeen years teaching economics at the University of Texas at Austin, where he also designed and directed the MBA professional development program. He coaches leaders in all kinds of places, from Wall Street to Fortune 500 companies to high-tech startups. And as if that weren’t enough, he’s also an accomplished playwright and performer! What a joy to learn from someone with such a generous spirit.

In his presentation, Rev. Dr. Tomlinson invited us to look at the word economy in a new way, connecting it to God’s work in the world and in our churches. He encouraged us to notice the tension between scarcity and abundance and challenged us to name what each of our churches has in abundance. He challenged us to name the surplus in our churches. That invitation has really stayed with me, stirring my heart and imagination.

When we hear the word economy, most of us probably think about resource management, inflation, and the making and using of items. The word comes from the Greek language, meaning to care for a household. That brings it a little closer to home, doesn’t it? It reminds me that an economy is really about how we live our life and how we share what we have and care for the people who belong to our community.

Rev. Dr. Tomlinson describes an economy in terms of the habits and practices that shape our life together. Over time, those practices become familiar. We learn to hold tightly to what we have, or we learn to share. We get used to managing our worries alone, or we practice asking for help. We begin to expect competition, or we discover the joy of caring for one another.

Jesus invites us into a way of living together grounded in God’s love. In God’s household, we pay attention to one another’s needs, offer our gifts, and receive help when we need it. And along the way, we get to enjoy one another! Sharing a meal, making a friend, and helping someone through a hard week are all part of this life together. Isn’t that just beautiful? Every time we gather, make a decision, lend a hand, or ask for help, we are practicing what it means to be God’s household together.

And I’ll be honest—I’ve had plenty of practice lately in the art of worrying about our own little church economy.

This past Sunday, I came in to find the church refrigerator warming to an unsafe temperature.  I began to worry about it going out completely and began to wonder about how much repairs would cost, whether we could afford them, and what else might need fixing. We’ve had our fair share of repairs lately, and I was already mentally adding another expense to the list. Maybe you know how that goes. One little worry turns into three, and suddenly you’re standing in this week’s kitchen trying to solve next month’s problems.

While I was busy spinning my wheels in worry, five wonderful folks from St. Nick’s showed up with a surplus of God’s love and grace. Two caught me as I came in and reminded me that God is bigger than any mechanical problem or repair and that all will be well. Another parishioner rolled up their sleeves and cleaned the refrigerator. Another offered to help cover some of the repair costs.  And yet another reminded me that even though I would be at a clergy conference they could meet the repair person this week. What a blessing to be surrounded by such care!

There I was, focused on what we might not have, while right in front of me people were sharing what we do have: faith, love, encouragement, willing hands, and financial generosity. All of this was happening as we gathered for Sunday worship. These friends were living out the good news of Jesus Christ in such practical, loving ways!

Then, just a day later, our conference presenter began talking about God’s economy and the surplus of gifts present in our communities. I had a moment when I told the Holy Spirit I was listening, loud and clear! And yes, I did marvel and laugh at the timing of the message – God is so good!

The world often encourages us to begin with scarcity. There won’t be enough, so hold tightly to what you have. Someone else’s gain might mean your loss. Those assumptions can become habits, shaping how we see our neighbors and how willing we are to share.

Of course, scarcity is real. People struggle to afford groceries, housing, and medicine. Caregivers run short of energy. Families need support. Churches have bills, and refrigerators require actual dollars to repair. Trusting God’s abundance calls us to take those needs seriously and consider how we can respond together.

It also invites us to take an honest inventory of our gifts. A shortage in one area does not mean we are empty-handed in every area. We may need money for repairs, but we also have people with practical skills, generous hearts, and a willingness to help. Recognizing those gifts helps us begin responding to the need.

And can I just say with all the enthusiasm and ebullience I have – we have so many gifts and so much love to share!!!  My dear friends, we have so much to share!!!

I mean, think about the surplus we have at St. Nick’s. We have so many gifts in abundance: the music ministry that lifts our hearts each Sunday, the meals shared at Dinner Church and after services, the folks who make and deliver casseroles to those who could use some extra care, the volunteers who visit those who are homebound, the creative spirits who decorate and brighten our spaces, and the many hands who set up, clean up, write cards, pray, and offer encouragement. Sometimes it is a listening ear or a willing hand for small repairs, sometimes a talent for organizing or a gift for making people feel welcome. And I could go on and on with the list of gifts and offerings from you the good and Godly people of St. Nicks.

I can’t help but wonder if you, like me, are hungry to feel, see, and share the surplus of God’s love.  I feel like we have had this new invitation to see what can become possible when we bring all our gifts together. And I can’t help but wonder what God might do among us as we share what we have.

Last night at Dinner Church, for example, we had an abundance of laughter. You could feel the love in the room, almost like you could reach out and touch it. We shared food, conversation, and the pleasure of being together. The meal fed us, and the friendship gave us something to carry home. What a beautiful reminder of God’s goodness among us.

That is part of the joy of God’s economy. What we share can keep doing good long after the moment we offer it. Encouragement can help someone through a difficult week. A welcome can become a friendship. Sharing the work can give a tired person room to breathe. God multiplies our gifts in ways we may never see.

So this week, I invite you to look around with me. Where do you see a surplus at St. Nick’s? Who brings encouragement, hospitality, creativity, wisdom, or joy? What do you have that you would enjoy sharing? And where could you use a little help? Let’s keep our eyes open for God’s gifts among us.

And of course, because I am always curious to see how and where God is working in your lives, text me a message at 214-213-0739 about what you have noticed. Can’t wait to hear from you and rejoice in what good and holy things God is up to – through you and all of us at St. Nicks!!!

God’s Peace, Love, and Blessings,

Rev. Beth