Harvest of the Heart: Exploring Autumn Stewardship Traditions

Explore the essence and joy of autumn stewardship, a tradition rooted in the agrarian cycle of our ancestors, and discover how ELCA’s Congregational Stewardship Support is nurturing this spirit through events, resources, and thoughtful discussions, aiming to cultivate generous congregations and spread kindness and love in the world. Read more in the Where Your Heart is newsletter.

In a world where traditions stand as the remnants of our ancestors' lifestyles, the essence of autumn stewardship illuminates the essence of generous giving and spiritual renewal. The concept stems from the agrarian cycle, a time when our ancestors, notably farmers, knew the gifts they would have for the coming year and could pledge for God’s mission in their local parish. This tradition remains vibrant and resonates with many, particularly within our churches and spiritual gatherings.

Autumn is a period of commencement, even as the earth prepares to rest, it brings a fresh lease on life to numerous activities and traditions. It marks the beginning of Sunday Schools and witnesses communities recommit to acts of love, service, and kindness, reverberating the essence of “God’s Work. Our Hands.” Schools reopen, and the holiday rush resumes, making it a harmonious time to talk about stewardship and generosity.

The ancient Christian Celts celebrated this period by giving thanks to God’s generosity through collective celebrations. They revered the divine generosity seen in both the harvest and the gift of Christ to the world. This reverence can be an invitation to a renewed sense of generosity, turning every stewardship appeal into a joyful congregation around the generous, crucified, and risen One.

ELCA Congregational Stewardship Support endeavors to nurture this spirit through various events and resources, offering webinars and discussions to cultivate generous congregations, exploring the spiritual aspects of capital campaigns, and providing insights on constructing narrative budgets. Resources like the Lake Institute on Faith & Giving’s story shelf and helpful books guide congregations through a spiritual and practical journey of stewardship.

This autumn, as we bring in our generous sheaves, let’s find joy in stewardship, using our gifts to continue changing lives and spreading love and kindness in the world.