In our Gospel we hear the words of the prophet Isaiah: "the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned." The light for us as Christians is the light of Christ. Where do we sit in darkness, in the shadow of death? Where in our lives do we still need to let the light of Christ shine so we can find our way out?

For many of us, our finances are one of those places. We are still struggling with the voices of the secular world urging us to overspend, telling us that we need more than we have already, confusing us so we see wants as needs and God’s abundance as scarcity. What would happen if we chose to put our credit cards and our shopping on hold this coming Lent? How do we separate need from desire? What priority does giving to the church have in our financial lives? Have we made God ruler over this part of our lives, or have we followed too much our own "devices and desires"? Perhaps in today’s Gospel, Jesus is calling us to repent; to turn our lives over to God. Perhaps our Lenten discipline calls us to examine our financial lives so that the day of Resurrection will be a time of rejoicing in that we have made God present in our checkbooks and bank accounts as well as in our minds and hearts.

In today’s reading we hear of Jesus calling of the disciples and discover they "immediately" left the life they were living to follow. It is costly to follow Jesus, it is also the way to freedom and service. On this last Sunday of Epiphany, Jesus is calling us as he called Peter and Andrew and James and John. The question is; are we ready to follow him?

Like the three men whose journey we celebrate during Epiphany, we are asked to consider whether or not we will follow the star that leads us to Christ.

For those who are willing to take the journey, you are invited to a time of prayer and discernment regarding stewardship. You are encouraged to give prayerful consideration to trying out the tithe (giving 10% of income) for a three month period. If, after prayerful reflection, you choose to participate in the trial tithe, you are asked to do so from February 6 (Ash Wednesday) until May 6 (three months later).

During this three month trial tithing period, participants will be supported through a variety of prayers, encouragement and ongoing communication from the Stewardship Committee of the Diocese of Michigan. It is our hope and prayer that you will experience the blessings of joyful, generous giving.

The only guideline for trial tithers is that you give away 10% of your financial resources during the trial period. The 10% could be based on gross or net income and may be given to church or charity. The important message is not to specifically define the tithe, but to invite people to experience the joy of generosity. For those who are already tithing, it offers an opportunity for you to re-affirm your commitment to the spiritual discipline you have adopted.

Those who choose to tithe during this time (includes new and ongoing tithers) will be invited to a "Tithe One On with the Bishop" thanksgiving dinner on September 13, 2008. (Details will be communicated after the trial period).

Stewardship Committee Members:

Mary Barber, St. Clare of Assisi, Ann Arbor

Gary Keranen, St. Gabriel’s, Eastpointe

Sue Sanna, St. Mary’s in the Hills, Lake Orion

The Rev. Christine Humphrey, St. Mary’s in the Hills, Lake Orion

Kristine Miller, Director of Stewardship and Planned Giving

Jan Hood, Trinity, St. Clair Shores

Pete Ross, St. Clare of Assisi, Ann Arbor