Across our parishes, many faithful leaders and parishioners have a deep commitment to stewardship. Some have years of experience encouraging generosity and participation in the life of the church, while others are continuing to discover what stewardship truly means. Wherever we are on that journey, it is important to remember that stewardship is much more than a conversation about money.

Stewardship is about the whole of our lives. It is about recognizing that everything we have is a gift from God and considering how we use the time, talents, relationships, resources, and opportunities entrusted to us. As I often say, “Stewardship is everything we say and do after we say, ‘I believe.’” Our stewardship is an expression of our faith and a reflection of how we live out our baptismal calling.

Many parishes already practice stewardship in countless ways – through worship, pastoral care, outreach, hospitality, formation, creation care, and acts of kindness. The challenge is to identify these activities as stewardship and intentionally name them as such. When we do this, we help broaden the understanding of stewardship and move beyond the perception that the church is only interested in asking for money.

One of the best ways to demonstrate the holistic nature of stewardship is to create opportunities throughout the year that invite people to experience generosity in different ways. These activities can help parishes celebrate the many gifts within their communities while strengthening connections among parishioners.

A “Give What You Can, Take What You Need” initiative invites people to reflect on generosity and abundance. This could be a table or display where parishioners bring items they no longer need and take items that would be useful to them. Beyond the exchange of material goods, the activity becomes a visible reminder that stewardship includes sharing what we have so that others may benefit.

A “30 Day Generosity Experiment” encourages individuals and families to intentionally practice generosity in small ways over the course of a month. Each day might include a simple invitation: write a note of encouragement, donate an item, pray for someone, offer help, express gratitude, or spend time with someone who needs companionship. By writing down the daily practice, participants see that more can be done in a month than one might think, and generosity is a way of life, not a one-time action.

A “Community Repair Café” connects stewardship with care for creation and care for one another. Parishioners with practical skills can gather to help repair broken household items, teach others how to fix things, and reduce waste. It is a powerful example of using our talents for the good of our neighbours and the environment.

A “Storytelling Feast” creates space for people to share stories of faith, generosity, and community. Over a meal, participants can talk about moments when they experienced God’s generosity or when someone else’s kindness made a difference in their lives. Stories help us understand stewardship not as a program, but as part of who we are.

A “Talent Challenge” is one simple way to help people recognize and share their God-given gifts. I encouraged this in a parish where participants were invited to the front of the church and presented with a $100 bill. They were commissioned to multiply that money like the servants in Jesus’ parable (Matthew 25:14-30). One man drove a truck that pumped septic tanks. He filled it with diesel and donated the proceeds of all the septic tanks pumped for the duration of that fill-up. In a stewardship context, Matthew 25 is especially significant because the word “talent” originally referred to a large unit of money, but over time it came to mean personal gifts and abilities – making it a natural connection point for conversations about using the gifts God has entrusted to us.

Year-round, holistic stewardship invites us to celebrate the many ways God is already at work among us. When our parishes intentionally name and share these expressions of generosity, we strengthen our communities and offer a clearer witness of what it means to follow Christ. Stewardship is not simply something we do – it is how we live as people of faith.

Kevin Dixon is the stewardship coordinator for the Diocese of Huron, and the rector of the Church of St. Jude in London. He can be reached at kevindixon@diohuron.org