2010 has been designated by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese as a special Stewardship Commitment year. Our Archbishop has asked every church to invite its parish members to "See the world as God’s gift to you. See what the Church can become. See God work through you. Come and See."

This is a parallel to two past events in our shared Orthodox Christian heritage and faith. The first was the visit by the Magi to the infant Christ when we are reminded that at this Epiphany Christ was revealed to those who were Gentiles. The second was the baptism of Christ. We refer to this as the Theophany, the physical appearance of God. The Dove which appeared was the Holy Spirit, the voice which spoke was God, and the Body was Christ.

God has always been and will ever be. We follow God’s interaction with us in the Old Testament and the New Testament. In the Old Testament, we were given the Ten Commandments when God prepared written tablets for Moses and in the Book of Proverbs.

In the New Testament, we were given Christ and his teachings through his Sermon on the Mount of the Beatitudes and his preaching of the Word.

The 2010 invitation to us as Stewards of God’s Church calls us to appreciate the great gift given to us – this world. It is a world which we were given and God expects us to act as stewards for this earth and His Church. How often do we really consider that these are our gifts? In the day-to-day life that each of us pursues, we may infrequently count our blessings and consider the impact of God’s Grace upon our lives. The saying which begins, "But for the Grace of God, go I," is a reminder that we could be as bad off as the person we look upon with sadness and sympathy. What saves us from many an evil fate is simply the Grace of God, a constant gift to each and every one of us. "See the world as God’s Gift to you."

All too often we look upon our churches as places which have failed us and never think of whether we have failed our God, the Church and the fellow Christians he gave us. "See what the church can become" is the second call of our Archbishop. Each and every one of us is called to come forth and serve. This is not only an invitation to the clergy, the chanter, the choir, the parish council members, and the Sunday School teachers. It is an invitation to all Orthodox Christians. No reservations or ticket purchases are needed – just show up. If each of us acts as faithful and observant Orthodox Christians, we and our churches will not be places which we felt have failed us. Come and all of us could make this church what is expected by our God.

"See God work through you." The simplest work done for God by us is prayer. Pray for others;pray for those you have lost; pray for yourself. Praise God when you pray. Thank God when you pray. Ask for help when you pray. Worship God by coming to Liturgy, going to Confession, taking Holy Communion, having Holy Unction and pledging as a Steward. You will experience God working through you at this times. The greatest satisfaction comes through selflessness. We think we could never be a Ghandi or a Mother Theresa. Do not doubt! If you allow God to work through you, you will experience the joys of selflessness.

"Come and See" is the 2010 invitation to all who worship in the Orthodox Christian faith.

This invitation should mean that you will consider what you could make as a pledge to your parish and what you are willing to contribute beyond money. It is an invitation to truly live and experience the Orthodox Christian life in all its wonder and be transformed. This year could be the "Epiphany" of your life. Who could turn down an opportunity to have God work through them?