Why do we give? For Peter Mason, giving is a way of saying thank you. More than 20 years ago, he and his wife, Karen, found in Saint Peter’s an oasis from the busy pace of Northern Virginia, a place where they raised their daughter, Lucy, and found shelter through life’s storms. In this stewardship testimony, Peter reflects on how this community welcomed his doubts and helped him rediscover his love of music. He invites each of us to do two things: to pledge, and to give our time, starting small if we need to. His words remind us that whatever we give, we receive far more in return.
Good morning, and thank you for this opportunity to share a little bit about what Saint Peter’s has meant to me. I am so very grateful and blessed to have found this place more than 20 years ago. My wife, Karen, and I raised our daughter, Lucy, here, and we have found Saint Peter’s to be an oasis in this very busy and demanding world of Northern Virginia.
Saint Peter’s has given us shelter from the storms of life, whether it’s the challenges of parenting or of school, difficulties at work, or the loss of loved ones. People here meet us where we are, accept us for who we are, and love and support us no matter what.
In this oasis, we have found rejuvenation. In particular, it’s a wonderful place that invites us to grapple with difficult questions and says it’s OK to have doubts. It’s a place where love and encouragement have helped us to learn and to grow.
One example of that: I was a musician before I was a lawyer. I played the French horn. I freelanced in Chicago for two years, and by the end of that I was beaten down by all of the rejection that is inherent in the music business. I did not enjoy music anymore. And yet, when I came to this place, through Don and Kim Whitman and Jim and Mateo, I gradually rediscovered my love of music and found the courage to perform again and give that gift back to God.
In this oasis, we have found inspiration to explore our gifts and our talents and to use them to try to do God’s will in our community and in our world.
Now, some of you here are new. I hope you’re feeling welcomed into this church home. Some of you have been here a while, and maybe you’re figuring out how you fit in and where you can make a difference. And some of you have been here a long time, some a very long time, and you’re taking your turn as leaders and mentors, or just celebrating how God moves and works in this community.
So I ask all of you to do two things.
First, pledge. Pledging helps the vestry plan and helps this place run. It keeps the lights on, et cetera, et cetera. It’s also a very concrete way to say thank you and to say that you want to be part of this community.
After that, please consider giving something far more valuable, and that is your time. As I rapidly approach the end of my 60th lap around the sun, time is one thing I am keenly aware of. It is something you cannot hold on to, and it is something you cannot get back.
I know what you’re going to say: “Peter, between work and the family and the house and the sports — and my God, Christmas is coming — if I do one more thing, I will literally burst into flame.”
So I say to you: it is OK to say no. I try to say this to myself on a regular basis. Please put your own oxygen mask on before you help others. But then listen to your heart. As we were just challenged, take a moment to breathe. Take a moment to listen for God.
And maybe start small. Grab one of Cory Michael’s reading assignments out there and read a few Bible verses when you have a moment, rather than doomscrolling on your phone. Or volunteer to help at a single event. Come, show up for an hour, and be done. Start there.
Whatever you do, in my experience, you will get back far more than you have given.
I thank you all for your love and your support all of these years. May God bless you all.
Peter Mason
