By Zadie

When my wife and I first walked through the doors of Church of the Transfiguration, we weren't entirely sure what to expect.

As a lesbian interracial couple exploring a new church home, we had plenty of questions. We were new to the Episcopal tradition, unfamiliar with how the church operated, and honestly a little uncertain about where we fit. At the time, we were worshiping in Roper Hall, and, for us, that was Church of the Transfiguration. We had no idea how much larger this community was or how deeply it would come to shape our lives.

What we found here was something I now recognize as generosity.

Not generosity in the financial sense, at least not at first. We experienced generosity through people who welcomed us, listened to our questions, shared their stories, and made space for us to explore our faith without pressure or judgment.

Eventually, we joined The Way. It gave us the opportunity to ask questions, wrestle with ideas, learn about the Episcopal faith, and navigate our own thoughts and beliefs alongside others who were on a journey of faith. We didn't find people who expected us to have all the answers. We found people willing to walk with us while we searched for them.

That generosity changed us.

Looking back, I realize that what my wife and I received here was made possible by generations of faithful generosity. The welcome we experienced, the classes that helped us explore our faith, the spaces where questions were encouraged, the ministries that helped us connect with others, and even the buildings where we gathered were all possible because people before us chose to invest in the life and mission of this church.

None of those gifts appeared overnight. They were cultivated by people who prayerfully decided that their relationship with God should shape how they used the resources entrusted to them.

As I've gotten to know more of our parish family, I've realized that our story isn't unique. Again and again, I hear stories of people who found welcome here. People who found healing here. People who found friendship, purpose, and a deeper relationship with God because someone else offered their time, attention, care, and generosity.

That's why this year's stewardship campaign is called Journey of Generosity.

Generosity is bigger than a financial commitment, but we also know that financial generosity matters. The ministries that welcome newcomers, nurture faith, care for those in need, and create meaningful worship experiences do not happen by accident. They happen because faithful people choose to support the work God is doing through this community.

Throughout this journey, we'll reflect on some foundational truths about generosity: that everything we have is a gift from God, that generosity draws us closer to Him, and that giving is one of the ways we grow in faith. These aren't simply ideas to consider. They are invitations into a fuller relationship with God.

That's why this year we're inviting you into a season of prayerful reflection rather than simply filling out an estimate of giving card. Through our four-week devotional journey, we'll explore generosity through prayer, scripture, and personal reflection. Together, we'll consider how God is calling each of us to grow and what generosity looks like in this season of our lives.

For some, that may mean taking a first step toward regular giving. For others, it may mean reevaluating priorities, trusting God in new ways, or discovering a greater sense of purpose in supporting the ministries that matter most. The invitation is not for everyone to arrive at the same destination. The invitation is to prayerfully consider what God is asking of each of us.

As we begin this journey together, I encourage you to create space for reflection. Engage with the devotional. Spend time in prayer. Ask God where your heart is being called and how you can participate in the life and mission of this church that has given so much to so many.

When I think about why generosity matters, I think about my own story. My wife and I are here today because others invested in creating a church where people could ask questions, seek God honestly, and be welcomed exactly as they are. Long before we were able to give anything back, this community was already giving to us.

That is the beauty of generosity. The gifts we share today create opportunities for welcome, formation, healing, and belonging for the people who will walk through our doors tomorrow.

And I know that because it changed my life.