The Big “E”

Perhaps you have heard of “The Big E”. Perhaps you have gone to “The Big E”. The Big E is a festival that takes place in Springfield, MA in September and draws many thousands of people every day. Ann Marie and I have been to this event twice. Once we attended with a church group and the last time was with my daughter Nancy and her family.

All six New England states have pavilions where each state shows things they produce; local culture and foods that are a local tradition. For example Rhode Island would display something about the Slater Mill in Pawtucket and have a food booth that features clam cakes, chowder, hot wieners and coffee milk. 

All Saints has “A Big E” as well. Our Big E is in its infant stages but promises to be bigger and better in the future. All Saints’ Big E will be celebrated all year long and we hope it will draw people to our church like “The Big E” draws people to the festival.  

All Saints Big E is God’s plan for saving souls by utilizing the special gifts He has given each of us who have committed to doing His will on earth. We have also committed to bringing people to Christ: Our Big E is Evangelism!

I have been writing every month about stewardship:  What is stewardship; Time, talent and treasure stewardship; Financial stewardship; Ministry stewardship: Christian living stewardship etc. Now is the time to talk about “The Big E” of stewardship: Evangelism.

All of us need to be Evangelists. I am hopeful that our clergy and vestry will lead us in a faithful effort to practice good evangelism with events that will attract new individuals and families into our faith community.  

There are many ways we can be evangelists. I think it would be useful to have a

supper meeting where we could exchange ideas with the clergy and lay leadership. 

Many of us could provide ideas for events and methods of reaching our local

community and beyond with the message that Jesus Christ is Lord and that His

Spirit is present here at All Saints Anglican Church.

I encourage comments from you about the subject of The Big E. 

My email address is: awama@yahoo.com.  Remember evangelism is stewardship,

Arthur Alarie

Stewardship