Stewardship Minutes

A Stewardship Minute
By Kara L Hall

Hi, my name is Kara Hall, and I would like to take a moment to talk to you about stewardship. When most people hear the word ‘stewardship’, the first thing that comes to mind is either donating a whole bunch of money or donating a whole lot of time; in other words, giving, giving, and more giving. I stand before you today to tell you a different story.

When I joined Folk Group at the age of seventeen back in the fall of 1981, I had lived through a “less than fairy tale” childhood. My problems were fairly well hidden to the rest of the world, but God was trying to reach out to me, which is why He led me to this amazing group of people.

Throughout my years with the Folk Group, I have received more love and support than you could possibly imagine. Even when I took breaks from the Folk Group, the Folk Group never left me. Through problems with drugs, single parenthood, and two failed marriages, they stood by me when others looked at me with obvious disapproval.

When I returned to the Folk Group in the spring of 2001, with God’s help, my life was beginning to change. As with the previous times, I was taken back in the group without question, without judgment, and with arms open wide to welcome home the return of the prodigal child. It didn’t take long to realize the Folk Group is, and was all along, a living example of Christ’s message. They have helped me through storm after storm, stood by me through wind and rain, forgiven me without reproach, and loved me unconditionally.

So for those of you who believe stewardship is about giving, giving, and more giving, all I can tell you is no amount of money or time I have to offer could ever repay Mrs. Bartolotta, Robin Anderson, and all the members of the Folk Group throughout the years for all they have done for me.

If anyone has any questions, I will be available in the commons after mass. Thank you.