This week’s reflection comes from Fr. Jed Fox.

This fall, we took a trip through the Oregon and California redwoods. As I started to look at my relationship with the church, I began to realize that the church is very similar to those redwoods, and my relationship with the church affects much more than just the church itself.

Trees take in water and sunlight to make the tree grow. The impact to the tree’s surrounding environment is huge. Just a few are: Oxygen for us to breathe, a place for plants to flourish beneath their branches, a place for critters to live amongst their branches, and even support to other trees against strong winds. There is more plant and animal material affected by the tree than the material that makes up the tree itself.

The church takes in us, our pledges, our time, and our talents to make the church grow. The impact to the church’s surrounding environment is huge. Just a few impacts are: A place to meet for many groups all throughout the week. Support to the many ministries listed in our weekly bulletins. Support to other churches through the Diocese, as well as us receiving support from the Diocese. There are more people affected by our Church than the size of the Church’s congregation itself.

Until I thought about this, I didn’t think about how many people our family’s stewardship affected. It’s like the water and sunlight to the tree. It turns our pledged money into ministry for hundreds of people. Looking strictly at a budget, we see salary, heat, lights, water, etc. But those elements are just the trunk, branches and leaves of the tree which support all of the flora and fauna around it, just as pledges to the Church of the Redeemer support all of the ministries around it.

Why, even our church itself is made of huge trees. They go all the way from the foundation to the roof. Our family’s stewardship, our pledging and volunteering provide more than just support for these trees. It provides support for all of the people affected by the trees holding our building up.

Church of the Redeemer

Church of the Redeemer: Worshiping God, living in community, and reaching out to the world. We are an Episcopal Church serving north King County and south Snohomish County, Washington. As you travel your road, go with friends walking the way of Jesus at Redeemer.

Church of the Redeemer is at 6210 Northeast 181st Street in Kenmore, Washington. The campus is a short distance north of Bothell Way, near the Burke-Gilman Trail. The entrance looks like a gravel driveway. The campus is larger on the inside than it is on the outside. And we managed to hide a large building on the side of a hill that is not easily seen from the street.

The Episcopal Church welcomes you.